The multi-award-winning ballet Nureyev, staged by visionary director Kirill Serebrennikov, premiered in December 2017 at Moscow’s world-renowned Bolshoi Theatre, attracting international attention even before its debut. Now, the Staatsballett Berlin brings this extraordinary production to the stage for the first time outside Russia. With music composed by Ilya Demutsky and choreography by Yuri Possokhov, this grand-scale production blends ballet, opera, and drama, incorporating a large ensemble to create a powerful tribute to the life and career of Rudolf Nureyev, one of the greatest dancers of the 20th century. Renowned for his artistic brilliance and his bold defiance of societal and political boundaries, Nureyev became an icon in both the ballet world and the broader arts scene.
The story unfolds through a meticulously staged recreation of an auction where Nureyev’s personal belongings are sold. Kirill Serebrennikov interweaves classical and modern aesthetics with poignant scenes from Nureyev’s life: his exceptional career in the Soviet Union, his dramatic defection to the West, and his profound influence on Western ballet. The production also explores his personal relationships and his openly lived homosexuality.
Following its celebrated premiere in Russia, the ballet was widely praised for its emotional depth and visual power—while also sparking intense debate. In 2022, as Russia tightened its anti-LGBTQ laws, Nureyev was removed from the Bolshoi Theatre’s repertoire, with officials citing the ballet’s violation of the ban on promoting «non-traditional values». Since then, Kirill Serebrennikov has lived in exile in France and Germany.
This monumental dance event is not only a special landmark for the Staatsballett Berlin but also a chance to experience the remarkable story of an artist who not only revolutionized ballet but also stood as a symbol of artistic freedom and individual self-determination.