BOVARY triumphs at Golden Prague Festival

We are proud that Bovary by Christian Spuck has won the Czech Crystal for Stage Works at the 61th Golden Prague International Television Festival.

Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary is a literary masterpiece about a young woman seeking more than a stifling provincial life with her unambitious husband. Emma Bovary rebels, taking lovers and indulging in dreams of passion and luxury – only to fail tragically.

Christian Spuck brings another female outsider to the stage in Bovary, which opened his tenure as artistic director of the Berlin State Ballet in October 2023. This work explores female self-determination, hedonism, and the fatal overlap of dreams and reality.

The jury of the Golden Prague Festival states: "The winning ballet film features Christian Spuck’s masterful work, blending clear, strong storytelling with emotionally charged dance to portray a dramatic story ending with death on stage. The main character’s exceptional dance quality, combined with outstanding TV capturing, creates an unforgettable and powerful performance."

BOVARY
A dance play by Christian Spuck
After the novel by Gustave Flaubert

Staatsballet Berlin
with Weronika Frodyma as Emma Bovary

Christian Spuck, choreography
Rufus Didwiszus, stage design
Emma Ryott, costumes
Martin Gebhard, light design

Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin
Jonathan Stockhammer, conductor
Adrian Oetiker, piano

With music by Camille Saint-Saëns, György Ligeti, Toru Takemitsu, Arvo Pärt, Charles Ives, Camille, and Thierry Pécou