Staatsballett Berlin voted top company for third consecutive year in Tanz critics poll

Staatsballett Berlin secures third consecutive top ranking

Staatsballett Berlin has taken the top position in the annual critics poll conducted by the German dance trade magazine Tanz. The award represents the third consecutive season in which the Berlin-based dance company has claimed the leading spot in the publication's annual evaluation. The magazine survey gathered assessments from professional dance critics who reviewed productions from across the preceding season, with between 30 and 34 critics polled depending on the report. In explaining the decision to place the company first, the magazine cited the leadership of artistic director Christian Spuck, whose ensemble had to master widely varying choreographic styles and distinct artistic signatures over the course of the performance year. The published evaluation noted that the dancers of the Berlin company demonstrated exceptional technical training while executing the demanding seasonal program.

Staging of banned Russian production of Nurejew

A central element in the company's critical recognition was its staging of the ballet Nurejew, which the magazine named as one of the highlights of the year. The biographical work centers on the life and career of gay dancer Rudolf Nureyev, who lived from 1938 until 1993. Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre had originally dropped the production from its official repertoire after facing political pressure in Russia. Created through a collaboration between director Kirill Serebrennikov and choreographer Yuri Possokhov, the Berlin production represented the first time the piece was shown to audiences outside Russia. Critics participating in the poll praised Staatsballett Berlin for presenting the previously cancelled production as part of its regular season repertoire.

Sharon Eyal named choreographer of the year

The survey awarded the title of Choreographer of the Year to Sharon Eyal, acknowledging her creative achievements across the previous season. The honor was granted primarily for her staging of the piece Delay the Sadness, which celebrated its world premiere at the Ruhrtriennale arts festival in Germany. The magazine cited the choreography's stylistic balance in its official assessment statement.

A work that is at once restrained and expressive.

Eyal received broad support among the participating critics, who evaluated her Ruhrtriennale premiere as one of the distinct choreographic contributions in contemporary dance over the past year.

Digital choreography award and lifetime achievement honor

The annual critics survey extended its scope beyond traditional opera house stages to evaluate digital dance productions. The distinction for Online Event of the Year was awarded to choreographer Damien Jalet for his choreography in the music video Storm, produced by music project Gener8ion and featuring Swedish artist Yung Lean. The video production recorded millions of views across online platforms. In addition to seasonal categories, the magazine presented its lifetime achievement award to Brazilian ballerina Marcia Haydee, the former director of the Stuttgart Ballet. The critics poll concluded its annual overview by naming several other European companies as highlights of the year, honoring the Stuttgart Ballet, Ballett Basel, the Vienna State Ballet, Ballett am Rhein, and the Gauthier Dance company for their respective seasonal achievements.