Ghost Light – A Ballet in the Time of Corona

A single lamp on a metal post is switched on and placed center stage signifying that no artist is allowed to use the stage...

The Hamburg Ballet is one of the first companies worldwide that has returned to its studios after the lockdown. It kicked off the season 2020/21 on 6 September in Hamburg with the world premiere of John Neumeier’s new creation “Ghost Light” using solo piano music by Franz Schubert, performed live on stage by star pianist David Fray.

The live broadcast from Festspielhaus Baden-Baden will take place on 10 October 2020.

The ballet for 55 dancers has been created since 11 May. To respect social distancing, Neumeier creates separate parts of the work with small groups of two to eight dancers. In his words: “Ghost Light is an ensemble work that I am developing in fragments. It is like the separate instrumental lines of a symphony – or a traditional Japanese meal: a sequence of carefully arranged, hopefully ‘delicious’ miniatures. How the separate parts will unite to create a complete work, will depend on the moment we are allowed to come near and touch each other again.”

Genre Ballet/Dance
Recording location Festspielhaus Baden-Baden
Recording date 10 October 2020
Production year 2020
Duration 105'
Video format HD
Production Company EuroArts & SWR in collaboration with ARTE
Director Myriam Hoyer
Stage Director A ballet by John Neumeier
Dance Company Hamburg Ballet
Soloist David Fray, piano
Composer Music by Franz Schubert