Theatre Vinohrady
4 Pictures
August 4 and 5, 2024 at Vinohrady Theater in Prague
Bubeníček International Ballet Gala
Festive Gala Evening Full Of World Dance Stars
Prominent Principal dancer and choreographer Jiří Bubeníček organized the highly successful "Bubeníček International Ballet Gala" in Prague, captivating audiences with an extraordinary showcase of artistry. Held on August 4 and 5, 2024, at the Theater in Vinohrady, this gala event featured a breathtaking selection of Bubeníček's most celebrated choreographies, performed by over twenty world-renowned dance stars.
The program brought together leading figures of the European dance scene alongside ballet soloists from prestigious institutions such as Les Ballets Bubeníček, La Scala in Milan, and the Semperoper in Dresden. The repertoire celebrated Jiří Bubeníček's finest choreographic works, including the dazzling and spellbinding "Bolero" by Maurice Ravel, which made its debut at the 33rd edition of esteemed Český Krumlov International Music Festival.
A highlight of the evening was the premiere of Bubeníček's brand-new ballet duet, a stunning creation inspired by Czech cultural heritage. Drawing from Zdeněk Fibich's "Poem", and the artistic legacy of Czech sculptor Josef Václav Myslbek, the duet reflected profound cultural depth. Myslbek's iconic sculptures, including "Ctirad and Šárka", served as powerful influences. The debut performance of this work by Martina Arduino and Marco Agostino from La Scala brought this rich cultural tribute to life.
The gala also celebrated the bicentenary of Bedřich Smetana's birth, with choreography "Má vlast" that highlighted the intersection of Czech musical and dance traditions. Additional pieces from Bubeníček's diverse body of work demonstrated his prowess as a leading choreographer and a proud ambassador of Czech culture.
The event seamlessly blended Czech music and world-class dance, appealing to local and international audiences alike. This gala not only honored Prague's artistic legacy but also established itself as one of the year's most anticipated cultural milestones.
The 1st edition of "Bubeníček International Ballet Gala" offered an exceptional artistic experience, showcasing the world’s finest stars and cementing its status as a landmark event in the global dance calendar.
ARTISTS
Bow and After Show
My Homeland
Bolero
Romeo and Juliet
Sylvia (chor. M. Legris)
Poema
Piano Slávka Vernerová Pechocová and Violin Marie Hasoňová
Take Five
Choreography Jiří Bubeníček | Photo © Anna Rasmussen | Photo © Petr Sankot | Photo © Tony Luuk
Foto © Michal Sváček
Jiří Bubeníček
Founder of Bubeníček International Ballet Gala
Jiří Bubeníček, an internationally sought-after choreographer and one of the world's best ballet dancers, enjoyed enormous recognition during his almost twenty-five-year career. His musicality, athleticism, flexibility, unrivaled technique and instinctive sense of character made him an international star. During his time at the Hamburg Ballet, many roles were created for him, the most legendary of which is "Nijinsky". In 2006, he joined the Semperoper ballet company in Dresden as the first soloist, where he danced countless choreographies until his departure in 2015.
He has toured all over the world, most notably his engagement with the world-renowned Opéra national de Paris.
Jiří Bubeníček has been awarded many prestigious prizes, such as the "Benois de la Danse" for dance or the "Silver Medal" from the Municipality of the Capital City of Prague for promoting Prague throughout the world. He holds a "Master of Art" degree in dance pedagogy and actively shares his expertise through teaching. In 2023 he founded "Bubeníček Ballet Masterclasses".
Official Youtube Channel
Jiří Bubeníček's choreographies
Jiří Bubeníček, M.A. 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. In particular, Jiří Bubeníček has established an outstanding reputation as a choreographic storyteller.
Czech Radio, "Vizitka", June 12, 2024
I was always addicted to dancing, I was never shy on stage, says choreographer Jiří Bubeníček
In the radio interview, he discusses his approach to working with dancers as a choreographer, detailing how he selects them for his productions and emphasising his preference for peaceful ambience during rehearsals. "I also enjoy blending all art genres in my productions," he shares with Karolína Koubová. The conversation delves into how meditation has aided his dancing, the influence of film on his work, and much more. (Czech only).
"Vitality", Czech Television - 18.06.2024
Morning interview on ČT2
On Tuesday, the internationally recognized choreographer Jiří Bubeníček visited us. During his previous almost 25-year dance career as one of the best ballet soloists in the world. How hard was it? In which ballet companies did he feel best? What led him to found his own company "Les Ballets Bubeníček"? What are their achievements? How has ballet changed since he started his career? That's not all we ask. (Czech only)
POSTER
© 2024 Otto Bubeníček
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Program book
© 2024 Otto Bubeníček | Text Jiří Bubeníček
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Flyer
© 2024 Jiří Bubeníček
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The Vinohrady Theater, located in the Vinohrady district of Prague, is an important theater space known for its Neo-Renaissance architecture with Art Nouveau elements. The theater was founded by the decision of the council of Královské Vinohrady in 1902 as a representative theater of the then independent city. It was completed in 1907 and stands as an important landmark of the Vinohrady, Žižkov, Vršovice urban heritage zone. The theater, designed by architect Alois Čenský and decorated with sculptures by Milan Havlíček, is characterized by its central facade decorated with allegorical figures symbolizing bravery and truth.
The Vinohrady Theater is one of the main theaters in Prague. The grand opening took place on November 24, 1907 with the premiere of Jaroslav Vrchlický's play "Godiva". Important directors of the interwar period included, for example, Jaroslav Kvapil (1921-1928), during whose tenure Karel Čapek worked here as a dramaturg from 1921-1923. In the later period, from around the middle of the 20th century, Jiří Menzel worked here (in 1966 his "Watched Trains" won the Oscar for best foreign film), Martin Stropnický and many others.
Quote:
"The Municipal Theater in Královské Vinohrady, that was some theater back then, sir! Right after the National Theatre, the most famous and well-known of all. And thanks to Hilar's actors and directors, perhaps even more attractive than the National Theatre."
František Kovářík
Travel information
To reach Theatre Vinohrady, near Prague's center, take Metro line A (green) to "Náměstí Míru" station. The theater is easily accessible from any part of the city and is just a short walk from the metro stop.
Interview | Radio & TV | Reviews | Newspapers and more
RADIO & TV
"VIZITKA", Czech Radio
Karolína Koubová, June 12, 2024
"VITALITY", Czech Television ČT2
July 18, 2024
ČT ART - Czech TV Channel
TV Cultural News, July 5, 2024, Petra Křížková
"Události, komentáře"
Czech Television ČT1, July 23, 2024, Martin Řezníček
Bubeníček: I choose dancers based on their abilities. It doesn't matter where they are from
Personality Plus, Michael Rozsypal, July 27, 2024
Reviews & INTERVIEWS
The Bubeníček International Ballet Gala Was Perfectly Passionate Evening For Holiday Audiences
Dance Context, August 14, 2024, Barbora Truksová
Oslava tančí v Narozeníně
Divadelní Noviny, Libuše Hronková, 11.08.2024
Bubeníček International Ballet Gala. The world's ballet elite is heading to Prague
tanecniaktuality.cz, Johana Mravcová, 04.07.2024
Ballet elite in Prague. With Jiří Bubeníček at his fiftieth birthday celebration
KlasikaPlus.cz, 01.08.2024
Jiří Bubeníček: I am a proud Slav
OperaPlus.cz, Marie Vejvodová, 23.07.2024
PROGRAM BOOK
Program Book
Bubeníček International Ballet Gala