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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.

Le Corsaire

A brand-new production for NDKE

Jiří Bubeníček and his artistic team — stage designer Giovanni Carluccio and costume designer Nadina Cojocaru — will collaborate on a brand-new production of Le Corsaire for the National Ballet Košice in the Slovak Republic.

Jiří and Giovanni previously worked together on the acclaimed production of Carmen, created in 2019 for the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, which went on to enjoy great success, including a celebrated company tour in Paris. Nadina’s ability to capture the essence of traditional style while giving it a modern and imaginative touch has proven highly successful in numerous productions she has created with Jiří. One of themKafka: PROCES, will be performed by the National Ballet Košice at the Musical Theatre Karlín on June 19, 2026.

We are all delighted to be working together again with this vibrant and artistically driven company, as we prepare for the world premiere of Le Corsaire at the end of April 2026.

Kafka: PROCES

June 19, 2026

On June 19, 2026, the National Ballet Košice will present Jiří Bubeníček’s production of Kafka: Proces at the Music Theatre Karlín in Prague. The performance is part of the Prague on Point ballet festival and will celebrate the work of numerous choreographers and companies.

Featuring Nadina Cojocaru’s strikingly surreal costumes, Otto Bubeníček’s remarkable stage design, and Jiří Bubeníček’s powerful choreography, the artists will bring to life their unique interpretation of Franz Kafka’s novel The Trial. This extraordinary and truly original production is one that no admirer of dance or theatre should miss.

Prague will become the witness of something new and truly rare.

 

FESTIVE GALA EVENING FULL OF WORLD DANCE STARS

JUNE 17 and 18, 2026

We are delighted to announce the return of the 3rd edition of the Bubeníček International Ballet Gala!This year’s gala will be held in the magnificent Music Theater Karlín, located in the very heart of Prague.

The evening will feature an exceptional lineup, including Star Dancer Polina Semionova of Staatsballett Berlin, as well as artists from the Paris Opera Ballet, the Dutch National Ballet, and many more.

Join us for an unforgettable night of extraordinary performances and world-class choreography, all under the artistic direction of Jiří Bubeníček.

Bubeníček Ballet Masterclasses

July 27 - August 9, 2026

This year’s Masterclasses feature top teachers such as Jean-Guillaume Bart (Paris Opera), Arman Grigorian (Zurich Ballet), Juliane Mathis (Paris Opera Ballet), and other celebrated ballerinas.

The program concludes with joint performance featuring YoY Performing Arts, live musicians, visual artists, and all Masterclass participants, presented in a Prague gallery (location TBA).

Students will train and perform alongside renowned artists, creating a new choreography under Jiří BubeníčekNikos Kalivas, and other esteemed mentors — showcasing everything from solo variations to group pieces in one unforgettable event.

 

Carmen

Carmen returns to Rome

On January 26, 2025, the ballet "Carmen" made a triumphant return to the repertoire of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. Originally created in 2019 by Jiří Bubeníček for the company, this full-length production was once again performed under the artistic direction of Eleonora Abbagnato. The company is now preparing for a tour to Paris, where "Carmen" will be staged at the Palais des Congrès from February 21–23, 2025.

Carmen
Music by Bizet, De Falla, Albéniz, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Bonolis
Orchestrations by Gabriele Bonolis
Music Arrangement by Jiří Bubeníček with Gabriele Bonolis
Orchestra of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma
Choreography Jiří Bubeníček
Stage design Giovanni Carluccio
Costume designer Anna Biagiotti
Choreography assistent Arsen Mehrabyan

Zwischen den Welten

Ballet About the Life and Work of Rachmaninoff

"Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music."  
- Sergei Rachmaninoff  

Czech choreographer Jiří Bubeníček and the Thuringian State Ballet, Germany 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