The World of John Neumeier — Dance Festival

John Neumeier — Choreographer of an Era

John Neumeier has shaped the international ballet scene like few others since the 1970s. Born in Milwaukee in 1939, he took over the Hamburg Ballet in 1973, which he led until 2024 — over fifty years during which he created more than 160 ballets. His oeuvre combines classical technique with dramatic depth and symphonic power. The Festspielhaus Baden-Baden honours his life's work with the festival "The World of John Neumeier" — bringing two leading German ensembles to Germany's largest ballet stage over eleven days.

October 2nd–4th — Bavarian State Ballet with "Illusions — like Swan Lake"

The Bavarian State Ballet opens the festival with Neumeier's radical reinterpretation of "Swan Lake". "Illusions — like Swan Lake" combines Tchaikovsky's music with the biography of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The Swan King appears as the Bavarian fairy-tale king himself, and the famous ballet gains a timeless tragic dimension. Three performances.

October 9th–11th — Hamburg Ballet with "The Nutcracker"

The finale belongs to the Hamburg Ballet itself — with Neumeier's version of "The Nutcracker" based on E. T. A. Hoffmann. Instead of a children's Christmas story, Neumeier tells Marie's coming-of-age story as an immersion into the world of theatre. Tchaikovsky's music in full symphonic splendour. Three performances.

Bundesjugendballett — "The Pursuit of Harmony"

On October 6th and 7th, the Bundesjugendballett — Europe's only professional youth ballet company, founded by John Neumeier — presents its new work "The Pursuit of Harmony". Young dancers from all over the world, at the beginning of their careers, with a highly contemporary piece about search and longing.

WINNDance and "Absprung"

WINNDance, the format by Marijn Rademaker and Slava Tutukin, brings international stars like Diana Vishneva and Edward Watson to the stage. The "Absprung" format is dedicated to award-winning young choreographers from the Hamburg Ballet School — offering a glimpse into the future of dance theatre.

Festspielhaus Baden-Baden — International Stage

Opened in 1998, the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, with its 2,500 seats, is Germany's largest opera house and one of the most important international concert halls. Privately run and supported by a foundation, it combines top-tier acoustics with cost-optimized programming. The dance festival "The World of John Neumeier" is a highlight of the Festspielhaus season.