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Jiří Bubeníček

Internationally sought-after choreographer Jiří Bubeníček enjoyed enormous acclaim over his almost 25-year career as one of the world’s top ballet dancers. Musicality, athleticism, suppleness, an unparalleled technique and his instinctive sense of character turned him into an international star. During his time with the Hamburg Ballet, John Neumeier created numerous roles for him, the most legendary being “Nijinsky”. Following his engagement from 1993-2006 (from 1997 as principal), Jiří Bubeníček went to Dresden to take up the position of principal with the Semperoper Ballet. There he performed countless choreographies by Petipa, Fokine, Balanchine, McMillan, Cranko, Kylián, Inger, Forsythe, Dawson, Celis and the Dresden ballet director Aaron S. Watkin until his departure in 2015. Guest appearances took him around the world. Particularly memorable were his engagements at the Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris where he partnered the leading ballerinas of the age in the “Lady of the Camellias”. In 2002 he was awarded the “Benois de la Danse” for his interpretation of Armand. His many other prizes include the “Espèces” of the Prix de Lausanne or the Mary Wigman Prize bestowed by the Semperoper.

Jiří Bubeníček created his first choreographies back in 1999 in the midst of his dancing career. From short scenes to abstract pieces to full-length narrative ballets, his current oeuvre of over 70 works is impressively large.

He created new works for companies such as San Francisco Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, Teatro di Roma, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Tokyo City Ballet, New York City Ballet, State Vienna Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, Semperoper Ballet in Dresden, Mariinsky Ballet Theater, North Carolina Dance Theatre in Charlotte in USA, for dancers from Opéra national de Paris, Croatian National Ballet in Zagreb, Croatian National Ballet Ivan pl. Zajc in Rijeka, Nuovo Balletto di Toscana in Florence, Badisches State Theater in Karlsruhe, Dortmund Ballet, Slovenia National Theatre Opera and Ballet in Ljubljana, he was a choreographer for The Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert 2016 and many other companies around the globe.

In particular, Jiří Bubeníček has established an outstanding reputation as a choreographic storyteller: his successful productions include “Anita Berber – Goddess of the Night” (2016), “Doctor Zhivago” (2016), “The Piano” (2018), “The Trial” (2019), “Cinderella” (2019) or "Romeo and Juliet" (2022). Amongst his many honours, the choreographer was awarded the “Europa in Danza” for his version of “Carmen” (2019) or “Boris Papandopulo” award for „Romeo and Juliet“ for the best ballet performance in the 2021/22 season. And, of course, Jiří Bubeníček is a familiar face in the international media through TV and DVD productions of his choreographies as well as those featuring him as a dancer. In addition to founding a touring company “Les Ballets Bubeníček” to perform own choreographies, Jiří Bubeníček is also socially engaged, striving to build bridges between diverse cultures. For these efforts, he was awarded the “Silver Medal of the City of Prague” in 2017, a very special accolade from his home city. 

Apart from being an accomplished dancer and choreographer, Jiří Bubeníček has made significant contributions to the dance world. As the visionary artistic director of the esteemed touring company "Les Ballets Bubeníček", he has curated captivating performances that showcase his own mesmerising choreographies, as well as collaborations with other renowned choreographers. Under his leadership, the company has embarked on numerous successful tours, gracing some of the world's most prestigious venues, from Tokyo's grand stages to renowned theatres across Europe.

Jiří Bubeníček holds a Master of Art in Dance Pedagogy from the prestigious Palucca University of Dance in Dresden. With a deep passion for teaching, he has been actively involved in sharing his expertise at numerous ballets schools and summer intensive programs. He takes great pleasure in nurturing and mentoring the next generation of young dancers, inspiring them to flourish in their artistic journey.

Notably, he has taken his dedication to dance education even further by establishing the esteemed "Bubeníček Ballet Masterclasses" in collaboration with the renowned music Festival Krumlov, in the Czech Republic. This exceptional initiative brings together aspiring dancers and enthusiasts from around the world to immerse themselves in his enriching and transformative teachings. Through this remarkable partnership, he continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of dance, nurturing talent and fostering a deeper appreciation for the art form.

Má Vltava

July 13, 2025

13.7. 2025Zámek Veltrusy, Czech Republic

V rámci celostátní akce Vltava slavná & splavná přivítá zámek Veltrusy unikátní baletní představení pod patronátem bratří Bubeníčků. V hlavních rolích s představí špičkoví baletní umělci z celé Evropy.
For more information: vltava2025.

Bubeníček Ballet Masterclasses

August 6 - 17, 2025

This year’s star teachers: include the internationally acclaimed ballet teacher Yannick Boquin and Florence Clerc, former étoile and ballet master of the Paris Opera. As a grand finale, on August 16 and 17 2025, students will participate in the Bubeníček International Ballet Gala, performing Jiří Bubeníček's choreography, which they will learn during the masterclasses. 

 

FESTIVE GALA EVENING FULL OF WORLD DANCE STARS

August 16 and 17, 2025

We are thrilled to announce the return of the "2nd edition of the Bubeníček International Ballet Gala"! This year, the event will take place in the stunning Theater Hybernia, located in the very heart of Prague. Including Tokyo City Ballet, Staatsbalett Berlin, Bayerisches Staatsballett, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, and many others. As well, participants of the Bubeníček Ballet Masterclasses will have the extraordinary opportunity to share the stage with these exceptional talents, making the evening even more inspiring. 

BESEDA JIŘÍM BUBENÍČKEM A VÝZNAMNÝMI OSOBNOSTMI!

NA JEVIŠTI, V DIVADLE HYBERNIA V PRAZE

Zveme vás na jedinečné setkání s Jiří Bubeníček, který bude hostem besedy na jevišti Divadla Hybernia. Řeč bude jak vznikají baletní inscenace, jak probíhala tvorba v Tokiu, co všechno obnáší život choreografa a o proměnách světa tance v posledních desetiletích. 

Kdy: 17. srpna 2025 v 16:00
Vstupné: 100 Kč
Hostéprof. Helena Kazárová, Ph.D., Mgr. Lucie Dercsényi, Ph.D., Mgr. Art. MgA. Pavol Juráš, Ph.D., a paní Etsuko Adachi Ichikawa, umělecká ředitelka Tokyo City Ballet

Speciální nabídka:
Při předložení vstupenky na Besedu u občerstvení při vstupu do foyer na představení Bubeníček International Ballet Gala dne 17. 8. 2025 - skleničku vína zdarma!

FOTOGRAFIE Z MINULÉ AKCE (ze dne 28. ledna 2025 v Malém sále Ústřední knihovny v Praze)

Passionate Carmen: Opera, Ballet – Closing Ceremony

Jiří Bubeníček Returns to Festival Krumlov with Carmen

Festival Krumlov 2025 is set to shine with a breathtaking performance of Bizet’s Carmen, featuring the return of Jiří Bubeníček as both choreographer and staging the entire show. Bubeníček’s captivating choreography will be performed by ballet soloists from the Rome Opera, adding depth and elegance to this operatic masterpiece. The Prague Philharmonia, under the baton of Tomáš Brauner, will deliver Bizet’s unforgettable melodies, combining rhythmic dances and powerful orchestration for an extraordinary evening.

Zwischen den Welten

Ballet About the Life and Work of Rachmaninoff

Czech choreographer Jiří Bubeníček and the Thuringian State Ballet presented an exciting new full length ballet based on the life of composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. A successful production delved into the triumphs and struggles of the extraordinary composer, whose journey was shaped by early talent, deep personal challenges, and exile from his homeland. 

Last project

Cyrano de Bergerac