Boise residents looking for a fun summer weekend getaway should look no further than Sun Valley. This world-class mountain town known for outdoor activities also boasts a robust arts and culture scene that kicks off this summer with Ballet Sun Valley’s 2023 Festival!
This year, Ballet Sun Valley will present the debut of the world-renowned Dutch National Ballet, led by Artistic Director Ted Brandsen, July 1st and 2nd at 7 pm in the Sun Valley Pavilion. These two performances mark Dutch National Ballet’s first tour to the United States in over 40 years and Sun Valley is their first stop!
LEFT: Mr. Van Manen has had a remarkable career as a dancer, photographer, and as resident choreographer of Dutch National Ballet. Several of Hans van Manen's works will be featured during the 2023 Festival. PC: © Sebastian Galtier
RIGHT: Dutch choreographer Wubkje Kuindersma (born in Cameroon), has been a Young Creative Associate with Dutch National Ballet since 2021.
Now celebrating his 20th year at the helm of Dutch National Ballet, Mr. Brandsen has curated an exciting and engaging Festival. The company will bring more than 30 dancers, from 17 countries, to perform two unique programs.
The first night, July 1, features works by Dutch choreographer Hans van Manen who is internationally recognized as one of the grand masters of contemporary ballet. Over the course of his career van Manen has choreographed more than 150 ballets and the first evening of the Festival is an homage to his works.
LEFT: Mr. Choi started dancing as a young boy in South Korea. He then moved to Europe to continue his dance education. PC: Dutch National Ballet Principal Dancer Young Gyu Choi in Le Corsaire by © Hans Gerritsen
RIGHT: PC: Profile photo and this image feature Dancers of Het Nationale Ballet in "Variations for two couples", choreographed by Hans van Manen. © Hans Gerritsen
The second evening, July 2, is a gala style program that will span contemporary to classical works. Highlights include a work by Wubkje Kuindersma, a female choreographer, who is a Young Creative Associate at Dutch National Ballet. Dance Magazine USA included her in their “Top 25 to watch list for 2019,” an annual list of dancers, choreographers and companies that are on the verge of skyrocketing and which Dance Magazine believes represent the future of the field. A work by William Forsythe, an American choreographer who has been credited with revolutionizing ballet, will close the evening.
Several of the pieces will be performed with a live orchestra arranged by San Francisco Ballet Music Director and Ballet Sun Valley Founding Music Director, Martin West. He recently collaborated with Dutch National Ballet and had this to say about their upcoming tour to Sun Valley, “The Company is full of wonderful dancers. They have a huge legacy of masterworks by the great Dutch choreographers which have shaped their work. You'll be seeing these pieces danced by the company they were created for. The repertoire they have chosen is full of wonderful music and choreography. Prepare to be amazed at the beauty and athleticism and don't blink because you could miss something extraordinary at any moment!”
Ballet Sun Valley is a non-profit organization, created to bring international ballet to the Sun Valley, Idaho area. Its founder, Robert Smelick, was a long-time member of the Board of San Francisco Ballet and part-time resident of Sun Valley.
Tickets start at $35 for Pavilion seating and can be purchased at BalletSunValley.org or Box Office: (208) 622-2135.