OLDER NEWS
NEWS 2025
Beseda
Malém sále Ústřední knihovny v Praze
Dne 28. ledna 2025 v Malém sále Ústřední knihovny v Praze se uskutečnila beseda s renomovaným tanečníkem a choreografem Jiřím Bubeníčkem. Společně s Helenou Kazárovou a Lucií Kocourkovou diskutoval o své umělecké dráze, zkušenostech z období aktivní taneční kariéry, současné choreografické tvorbě a budoucích plánech. Setkání nabídlo inspirativní vhled do světa baletu a choreografie a bylo provázeno podnětnou diskusí s publikem. Děkujeme všem účastníkům za vytvoření příjemné atmosféry.
NEWS 2024
Smetana 200: My Country
On the Moldau river banks in Jiří Bubeníček's ballet choreography
The opening concert of the Festival Krumlov, held on July 12, 2024, was a resounding success. Titled "Smetana 200: My Country," it set the tone for an extraordinary festival season. In the enchanting new concert venue of the City Park, attendees were treated to a breathtaking performance that seamlessly blended traditional works with ballet, creating a truly unique artistic experience.
Surrounded by the stunning South Bohemian nature and the serene Vltava River, the evening drew inspiration from the inexhaustible beauty that had once fueled the creativity of the great Master. The Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra Ostrava, together with the ballet ensemble and Les Ballet Bubeníček, under the masterful choreography of Jiří Bubeníček, brought the treasures of Czech music and history to life. Under the baton of the talented Alena Hron, the concert celebrated Smetana's legacy in an unforgettable way, leaving the audience in awe and eager for the rest of the festival's offerings.
Bubeníček Ballet Masterclass
July 22 to August 3, 2024
The most recent edition of the Bubeníček Ballet Masterclasses 2024 at the Český Krumlov was a resounding success, leaving a lasting impression on participants and audiences alike. This remarkable experience has inspired the continuation of this exceptional tradition, and this year’s program promises to be even more extraordinary.
Over 13 days, dancers immersed themselves in intensive training with renowned professionals, fostering artistic growth and forging meaningful global connections. The stellar artistic team included luminaries such asAgnès Letestu, the celebrated former étoile of the Paris Opera, Vladimir Malakhov, the international super ballet star or Martina Arduino, Principal dancer of Teatro alla Scala, alongside many other distinguished artists.
A highlight of the program was the opportunity for students to perform Jiří Bubeníček's captivating choreography during the festival concert "Shakespeare 460: Romeo & Juliet", which served as the closing gala concert of the prestigious Festival Krumlov. The audience, enchanted by the evening’s artistry and emotional depth, responded with thunderous applause, sealing the event as an unparalleled celebration of dance and music.
Ballet Gala
August 4 and 5, 2024
The Bubeníček International Ballet Gala took center stage at the Vinohrady Theatre in Prague, delivering an unforgettable evening of artistry and elegance. Featuring a distinguished array of international guests from prestigious institutions like Teatro alla Scala and Semperoper Ballet, the gala captivated audiences with its extraordinary performances. Both nights were completely sold out, with attendees hailing it as a triumph of ballet excellence. This remarkable event not only celebrated the talent of its performers but also solidified its place as a highlight of the cultural calendar.
"Dobré ráno", Česká televize
Ranní rozhovor na ČT2
V úterý nás navštívil mezinárodně uznávaný choreograf Jiří Bubeníček. V průběhu své předchozí téměř 25leté taneční kariery jedním z nejlepších baletních sólistů světa. Jaká to byla dřina? V jakých baletních společnostech se cítil nejlépe? Co ho vedlo k založení vlastního vlastního souboru „Les Ballets Bubeníček“? Jaké jsou jejich úspěchy? Jak se změnil balet od doby kdy on začínal svou kariéru? Nejen na to se zeptáme. 18.06.2024.
Cyrano de Bergerac
PREMIERE
Cyrano de Bergerac underwent a thrilling transformation, brought to life by the masterful choreography of Jiří Bubeníček in collaboration with Nadina Cojocaru. Set against the captivating stage design by Otto Bubeníček, this neoclassical ballet premiered to great acclaim in September 2024 at the National Theatre in Brno, Czech Republic. Nadina Cojocaru not only lent her expertise in dramaturgy but also crafted the exquisite costumes that adorned the performers, adding an additional layer of artistry to this mesmerizing production. The enchanting evening captivated audiences and left an indelible mark on the world of ballet.
GEJZÍR
Short TV document about Jiří and Otto Bubeníček, at Czech TV Channel
Vydáme se za tanečními mistry s velkým M. Jednovaječnými dvojčaty Jiřím a Ottou Bubeníčkovými. Vystupovali v nejslavnějších divadlech a patřili mezi nejlepší baletní sólisty na světě. Oba taky získali ocenění Gratias Agit udělované ministrem zahraničí za šíření dobrého jména České republiky v cizině. Jiří pak ještě prestižní cenu Benoit de la danse, která je v oboru považovaná za jakousi obdobu filmového Oscara. O jejich práci i plánech si s Jiřím povídal Tomáš Polák (12.6.2024).
NEWS
LA STRADA
PREMIERE
"LA STRADA" a theatrical masterpiece, made its premiere to a standing ovation on March 10, 2024, at the Theater Vinohrady in Prague, featuring the Prague Chamber Ballet company. With dramaturgy by Jiří Bubeníček (choreography) and Nadina Cojocaru (costumes and set design), this production breathes life into Federico Fellini's iconic film, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
"La Strada" tells a poignant and tragic tale of love, adversity, and personal growth - a night of theatrical brilliance that resonates across time and emotions.
L'heure bleue
NHK Ballet Festival 2024
The Tokyo City Ballet is set to dazzle audiences in a distinctive showcase, "NHK Ballet Festival 2024" alongside the New National Theatre, Tokyo and International Ballet Stars. This captivating performance, featuring Jiří Bubeníček's ballet "L'HEURE BLEUE", with mesmerizing stage and costume designs by Otto Bubeníček, performed on January 27, 2024, at the prestigious NHK Hall in Tokyo's vibrant Shibuya district.
On February 18, 2024 the Japanese NHK TV Channel has broadcast the evening.
Romeo and Juliet
Guesting performance in Ljubljana
ROMEO AND JULIET performed on tour at the renowned Cankarjev Dom in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Celebrating its successful run, the production of Romeo and Juliet continues its tour with a performance at the renowned Cankarjev Dom in Ljubljana on the June 19, 2024. The show has previously captivated audiences in Split, Croatia; Theatre Winterthur in Switzerland; the Theater Olympiad in Pécs, Hungary; and Ludwigsburg, Germany.
NEWS 2023
Romeo and Juliet
Guesting performances at Theatre Winterthur and Theatre in Split
Jiří Bubeníček's "ROMEO AND JULIET" featuring captivating stage and costume designs by Nadina Cojocaru, is set to grace the stage once more. This time, the performance was accompanied by a live orchestra as part of the company's tour, taking place at the Theatre Winterthur in Switzerland from January 25-27, 2024. For more information, please visit the theatre's WEBSITE.
Additional performances: February 2, in National Theatre in Split and February 3, 2024 in National Theatre in Rijeka.
Croatian Actor Awards 2023
Winners:
Maria Matarranz de Las Heras received the esteemed "Croatian Theatre Art's Award" (Nagrada hrvatskog glumišta) for "Outstanding Achievement of a Young Ballet Artist Under the Age of 28". This recognition was bestowed upon her exceptional portrayal of Juliet in Jiří Bubeníček's "ROMEO AND JULIET"
Croatian Actor Awards 2023
Winners:
On the 25th of November 2023, Natalia Kosovac was presented with the accolade for "Best Artistic Achievement in Ballet - Female Role" for her remarkable performance as Valerie in the ballet "SPARTACUS" set to the music of A. Hačaturjan, choreographed by Jiří Bubeníček. Takuya Sumitomo was honored with the award for "Best Artistic Achievement in Ballet - Male Role" in acknowledgment of his outstanding portrayal of Spartacus in the ballet of the same name.
Three new premieres
Three new creations
July 14, 2023 - PRESTIGIOUS GALA CONCERT: "FRENCH NIGHT" with Jiří Bubeníček's Choreography
For the opening concert of 32nd edition of international music Festival Krumlov , titled "FRENCH NIGHT", Jiří has created three new choreographies set to music by composers: Henri Duparc's "AUX ÉTOILES", Claude Debussy's "LA MER" danced by selected participants from BUBENÍČEK BALLET MASTERCLASSES, while Maurice Ravel's captivating "BOLERO" wasperformed by leading ballet soloists LES BALLETS BUBENÍČEK that brought the evening to a mesmerizing crescendo.
Bubeníček Ballet Masterclass
Český Krumlov between July 4 to 14, 2023
BUBENÍČEK BALLET MASTERCLASSES was held in the UNESCO World Heritage cite, Český Krumlov between July 4 to 14, 2023. Over the course of 10 days, students and dancers had the rare opportunity to spend time with remarkable artists who are not only skilled professionals, but also passionate and kind-hearted individuals. They have dedicated their lives to the art of ballet, gracing the most exquisite theatres around the world with their unforgettable performances.
MASTER OF ARTS DANCE TEACHER DEGREE
at the Palucca University of Dance Dresden
Jiří has recently completed the esteemed work-study Master's Degree Programme in Dance Teaching at Palucca University of Dance Dresden. This remarkable journey spans over three years of dedication, passion, and artistic growth.
As a renowned dancer and choreographer, Jiří Bubeníček has embarked on a transformative academic path, enriching his already exceptional skills in the art of dance. Throughout this intensive program, he has honed his teaching expertise, further elevating his profound understanding of the art form and its nuances.
Awards for Anina and Yuho!
in Spartacus ballet!
The prestigious awards recognize the remarkable talent, dedication, and captivating performances in the theater season 2022/23 delivered by Atina Tanovic and Yuho Yoshioka, contributing to the resounding success of the "SPARTACUS" ballet production. The Croatian National Theatre commends their outstanding artistry and applauds their significant contributions to the world of dance.
Romeo and Juliet
Guesting performance in Pécs
ROMEO AND JULIET stole the spotlight at the prestigious 10TH THEATRE OLYMPIC, hosted this year in Pécs, Hungary, as a captivating part of a magnificent festival. The performance was an absolute triumph, evoking heartfelt emotions from the audience, who responded with synchronized applause and a standing ovation. To get a glimpse of the company's remarkable tour, take a moment to watch this captivating one-and-a-half-minute DOCUMENTARY VIDEO.
L'heure bleue
Tokyo City Ballet
The Tokyo City Ballet continues to explore new ballet works with three highly anticipated works. Beginning of March 2023 at the Tokyo's Tiara Koto Large Hall, "L'HEURE BLEUE"a ballet by Jiří Bubeníček, with Stage and Costume Designer Otto Bubeníček will be part of a "Triple Bill 2023" evening. A performance with Japanese premiere of Williem Forsythe's "Artifact II" and George Balanchine's "Allegro Brillante" (Premiere).
SPARTACUS
The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb
Full length ballet in two acts "SPARTACUS" inspired by Raffaello Giovagnoli’s Novel celebrated its premiere on January 27, 2023 with The Croatian National Ballet in Zagreb. Jiří Bubeníček together with Nadina Cojocaru wrote entirely a new libretto and newly re-arranged Aram Khachaturian's music according to the story. This anabled the birth of a completely new ballet with stage design created by Italian by Dario Gessati and Nadina Cojocaru was responsible for the costum design that included over 100 costumes.
SPARTACUS NFT
January 27, 2023, "SPARTACUS" had its premiere at The Croatian National Ballet in Zagreb. On this occasion to celebrate this event, "SPARTACUS NFT", a unique collectible items representing this important moment in dance history was launched. NFT is a special type of cryptographic token which represents something unique, a piece of art that can be stored and collected, and can even increase its financial value. By owning this NFT, one is possessing a very unique electronic art souvenir and have forever a part of the performance. It is for the very first time a choreographer is using this new blockchain technology in dance field.
NEWS 2022
ROMEO AND JULIET
On tour in Germany
Theatre "Forum am Schlosspark" hosted The Croatian National Ballet in Rijeka with Shakespeare's immortal love story "ROMEO AND JULIET". Jiří Bubeníček's interpretation takes place in a dream architecture reminiscent of atient ruins. The choreography was created in April 2022 and is now coming to Ludwigsburg. The German premiere was on December 3 and 4, 2022.
Interview
Stuttgarter Zeitung 30.11.2022
Mit dramatischer Kraft - Interview by Gabriele Metsker
AWARDS for ROMEO AND JULIET
The ballet “Romeo and Juliet” received three awards!
Nicola Prato was awarded for the best male role, receiving the audience award "Joža Komljenović" for the role of Romeo, Marta Voinea Čavrak won the audience award "Olga Orlova" for the best performed female role for the role of Lady Capulet and Jiří Bubeníček received the highest number of audience votes, leading to the “Boris Papandopulo” award for the best ballet performance in the 2021/22 season.
Kafka's "The Trial"
at the State Theater in Košice, Slovak Republic
The pre-production meeting of creators and the theater workshops began the preparation of the new ballet production "PROCES", which premiered in the first half of the new theater season 2022/2023.
Franz Kafka's "The Trial" had its world premiere in 2019 at the Royal Opera in Stockholm. Now, Czech choreographer and Director Jiří Bubeníček together with Costume Designer and Co-Director Nadina Cojocara and his brother, Stage Designer Otto Bubeníček brings this exiting performance to State theater in Košice. "Proces" celebrated it's second premiered in October 2022.
Romeo and Juliet
The Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc in Rijeka
May 27, 2022 Jiří Bubeníček and Nadina Cojocaru succesfully premiered a new full length story ballet William Shakespeare's play "ROMEO AND JULIET" especially created for the dance company at The Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc in Rijeka. For stage design was responsible Aleksandra Ana Buković and costumes were created by designer Nadina Cojocaru.
The story is often thought to be about love and it’s power. But actually the audience fail to realise that the love is included in the piece only in few fragile moments of satisfaction. From the very beginning of the play it is very evident that violence will occur. Furthermore the needlessness of the deaths in society especially since it all happens a lot amongst youth.
NEWS 2021
Choreographer
In this season
2021/22
Jiří Bubeníček became for the season 2021/2022 a House Choreographer of the The Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc in Rijeka. His full lenght ballet W. Shakespeare's master piece "ROMEO AND JULIET" had its premiere in April 2022.
TANZGEDICHTE AUS DER STILLE
Seven Continents, Seven Songs, Seven Dances
Forgotten buildings in Saxony are brought back to life through music and dance. In the virtual spotlight, you will be connected to the whole world through music from 7 continents. Video concept by Nadina Cojocaru and choreography by Jiří Bubeníček - "TANZGEDICHTE AUS DER STILLE". Gefördert durch die Kulturstiftung des Freistaates Sachsen, Landeshauptstadt Dresden und Nationale Performance Netz - Stepping Out.
TEATRO ALLA SCALA
SERATA QUATTRO COREOGRAFI
Jiří Bubeníček's "CANON IN D MAJOR" was set for The Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company and Orchestra, in Milano. The men's trio was part of Serata Quattro Coreografi, Legris / Lukács / Bubeníček / Ratmansky evening. The Ballet company performed from the 09.-11.06.2021 Manuel Legris's Verdi Suite, Andreás Lukács's Movements to Stravinsky, Jiří Bubeníček’s Canon in D Major and Alexei Ratmansky's Concerto DSCH. The orchestra was conducted by Maestro Kevin Rhodes.
La Scala magazine
(Italian)
The Devine Comedy
METÀNOIA
Ravenna Festival celebrated 700th anniversary of an Italian poet Dante Alighieri with world ballet star Sergei Polunin's solo performance. METÀNOIA as a new creation of Dante's The Devine Comedy had its premiere on the 01.- 05.09.2021 at the Teatro Alighieri. Three choreographers were set to create each part. Jiří Bubeníček choreographed "PARADISO", the last part of the evening.