LES BALLETS BUBENÍČEK
The Company
Les Ballets Bubeníček was created by Jiří with his twin brother Otto. Jiří as artistic director is responsible for the choreographies, administration and finances while Otto does the set design and costumes.
In May 2009 gala performance “Bubeníček and Friends” received for two evenings standing ovations in National Theater in Prague. The show was filmed by Czech National TV Channel and released on DVD.
The company with 16 dancers from Semperoper Ballet in Dresden, Hamburg Ballet and Opéra national de Paris presented 3 hours long show in Japanese best theatre - Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo under the show title “Bubenicek New Year Gala” and as well at the Saitama Art Theatre.
In 2018 the company presented for the 100 years of Czechoslovakia existence celebration the ballet “Má vlast” or “Mein Vaterland” set on 6 musical poems by Bedřich Smetana, the show was performed in the heart of Prague Old Time Square, broadcasted by National Czech TV Channel, ČT Art.
Les Ballets Bubeníček successfully toured with ballet “Orfeus” through 10 cities in Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and Germany. The last show in Prague (2016) was also broadcasted by National Czech TV Channel ČT Art.
In May 2011 “Ballett für Japan” or “Dance for the Land of the Rising Sun” was a charity ballet gala involving international dancers organised and initiated by Jiří and Otto for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan. Principal dancers from main German ballet companies performed in Dresden, in the art museum Albertinum to raise money to help Japan.
LES BALLETS BUBENÍČEK ON TOURS
"Shakespeare 460: Romeo & Juliet" Český Krumlov, at the music Festival Krumlov, summer 2024. The company presented a special performance to mark the 460th anniversary of William Shakespeare's birth.
Sergei Prokofiev: Scenes from the ballet Romeo and Juliet Op. 64
"French Night" Český Krumlov, at the music Festival Krumlov, summer 2023. The company presented three new choreographies, one of which was M. Ravel's "Bolero".
“Má vlast” or “Mein Vaterland” Old Time Square in Prague, for the 100 years of Czechoslovakia existence celebration, summer 2018.
“Orfeus” toured in National theatres in Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Oldenburg Theatre and Festspielhaus Hellerau, Germany, 2016 to 2017.
“Les Ballets Bubeníček” February 2017 Theater Bonn, Germany, included 4 pieces: “Le souffle de l’Esprit”, “Toccata” danced by Iana Salenko, “Faun” and one act ballet and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. Earlier the same program (without “Faun”) was presented at theatres as: Festival Mittelfest, Cividale del Fruili at Piazza Duomo (2014), National Theatre in Prague (2011), “Jiri e Otto Bubeníček” Auditorium Conciliazone in Rome (2011) and “Bubeníček Ballet World” Open air show at Castle Velké Losiny, Czech republic (2011).
“Les Ballets Bubeníček” New Theatre in city of Plzeň which was in 2015 the Europian Cultural City. Presented a performance with two choreographies “L’heure Bleue” and one act story ballet “The Piano”.
“Bubeníček New Year Gala – Canon” Bunkamura Orchard Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Program included “Le souffle de L’Esprit”, “Toccata”, “Faun” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray” a new work “Preludes and Fugues”, a creation danced by Dorotheé Gilbert and Hervé Moreau, two Étoiles from Opéra National de Paris, January 2013.
“Bubeníček Ballet World” Castle Sternberk, Czech Republic. Presented an open air show that included “Le souffle de L’Esprit”, “Duet in C”, Mariinsky Theatre Principal dancer Ekaterina Kundorova in “Gentle Memories”, “Intimate Distance” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, July 2012.
“Jiří + Otto Bubeníček and Selected Dancers of The Dresden Semperoper Ballet” Saitama Arts Theater, Tokyo. Presented “Steptext” choreography by William Forsythe, and two Jiří Bubeníček’s ballets “Unerrechbare Orte” and “Le souffle de l’Esprit”, January 2010.
“Bubeníček and Friends” Prague National Theatre, Czech Republic. A mix program of Jiří’s choreographies such as “Double Violin Concerto”, “Fragile Vessels”, two duets from “Unerreichbare Orte”, “Rencontre”, “Duet in C”, “Canon in D major”, “Opening the Wells, “Unintended Consequences”, “Simple Pleasure” and “Trio” choreography by Heinz Spoerli and “Les Indomptés” choreography by Claude Brumachon, May 2009.
Pictures
2009
BUBENÍČEK AND FRIENDS
Dance Gala in The National Theater in Prague, 15th and 16th of May 2009
Choreography: Jiří Bubeníček
Stage, Costume and Video: Otto Bubeníček
PROGRAM
Video
Double Violin Concerto (Premiere)
Cast: Jiří Bubeníček and Otto Bubeníček
Fragile Vessels
Cast: Yen Han, Arman Grigoryan and Vahe Martirosyan
Intimate Distance
Cast: Elena Vostrotina and Otto Bubeníček
Rencontre
Cast: Yen Han and Jiří Bubeníček
Unintended Consequences (Premiere)
Cast: Elena Vostrotina and Jón Vallejo
Love 2 Love U
Cast: Katherina Markowskaya and Fabien Voranger
Canon in D Major
Cast: Otto Bubeníček, Jiří Bubeníček and Jón Vallejo
Otvírání Studánek (Opening The Wells)
Cast: Bridget Breiner, Otto Bubeníček and Jiří Bubeníček
Duet in C
Cast: Katherina Markowskaya and Fabien Voranger
Trio
Choreography: Heinz Sperli
Music: Johann Sebastion Bach
Cast: Yen Han, Arman Grigoryan and Vahe Martirosyan
Video projection
Made by Otto Bubeníček
Les Indomptés
Choreography: Claude Brumachon
Music: Wim Mertens
Cast: Jiří Bubeníček and Otto Bubeníček
Program Book
Prague
2010
JIŘÍ + OTTO BUBENÍČEK & SELECTED DANCERS OF THE DRESDEN SEMPEROPER BALLET
Saitama Arts Theater, 23th And 24th Of January 2010
Choreography: Jiří Bubeníček
Stage, Costume and Video: Otto Bubeníček
PROGRAM
Unerreichbare Orte
For Marie-Agnes
Cast: Otto Bubeníček and Elena Vostrotina
Duosi Zhu, Katharina Markowskaya, Hiroko Asami, Svetlana Gileva, Raquel Martínez, Yuka Oishi
Jón Vallejo, István Simon, Guy Albouy, Oleg Klymyuk, Claudio Cangialosi and Dominik Strobl
Steptext
Choreography: William Forsythe
Music: J.S. Bach
Stage, Light and Costumes: William Forsyth
Cast: Elena Vostrotina, Jiří Bubeníček, Oleg Klymyuk and Claudio Cangialosi
Le Souffle de l`Esprit
For Olga and Marie
Cast: Jiří Bubeníček, Otto Bubeníček, and Jón Vallejo
Katherina Markowskaya, Elena Vostrotina, Svetlana Gileva, Duosi Zhu, Raquel Martínez, Hiroko Asami
Guy Albouy, Oleg Klymyuk, Claudio Cangialosi and István Simon
2011
BUBENÍČEK BALLET WORLD
Auditorium Conciliazione, Rome, Italy
10th to 12th of October 2011
Choreography: Jiří Bubeníček
Stage, Costume and Video: Otto Bubeníček
Light design: Fabio Antoci
Stage Manager: Dominik Strobl
Dancers: Iana Salenko, Alexandre Riabko, Arsen Mehrabyan, Katja Markowskaja, Jón Vallejo, Leslie Heylmann, Ketevan Papava, Claudio Cangialosi, Duosi Zhu, Raquél Martínez, Michael Tucker
PROGRAM
Le souffle de l´Esprit
For Olga and Marie
Cast: Jiří Bubeníček, Otto Bubeníček, Jón Vallejo
Duosi Zhu, Kety Papava, Leslie Heylmann, Katja Markowskaja, Raquél Martínez
Alexandre Riabko, Arsen Mehrabyan, Claudio Cangialosi and Michael Tucker
Toccata (about 25 min)
To Ilona
Cast: Iana Salenko, Leslie Heylmann, Katja Markowskaja
Alexandre Riabko, Jón Vallejo, Claudio Cangialosi and Michael Tucker
The picture of Dorian Gray (about 30min)
To Otto Bertis
Cast: Otto Bubeníček, Jiří Bubeníček and Raquél Martínez
2012
BUBENÍČEK BALLET WORLD
Castle Sternberk, Czech Republic, 2012
Choreography: Jiří Bubeníček
Stage, Costume and Video: Otto Bubeníček
Stage manager: Dominik Strobl
PROGRAM
Le Souffle de l´Esprit
For Olga and Marie
Cast: Jiří Bubeníček, Otto Bubeníček and Jón Vallejo
Kety Papava and Duosi Zhu, Katherina Markowskaja, Raquél Martínez and Anna Merkulova
Arsen Mehrabyan, Claudio Cangialosi and Francesco Pio Ricci
Gentle Memories
Cast: Ekaterina Kondaurova, Arsen Mehrabyan, Jón Vallejo and Islom Baimuradov
Duet in C
Cast: Katherina Markowskaja and Claudio Cangialosi
Intimate Distance
Cast: Anna Merkulova and Jon Vallejo
The Picture of Dorian Gray
For Otto Bertis
Cast: Otto Bubeníček, Jiří Bubeníček and Raquél Martínez
2013
BUBENÍČEK NEW YEAR GALA, CANON
Bunkamura Orchard Hall, Tokyo, Japan, 2013
Choreographer: Jiří Bubeníček
Composer and stage/costume designer: Otto Bubeníček
Light designer: Fabio Antoci
Stage Manager: Dominik Strobl
PROGRAM
Toccata
To Ilona
Cast: Dorothée Gilbert, Anna Merkulova, Katherina Markowskaya
Hervé Moreau, Jón Vallejo, Claudio Cangialosi and Michael Tucker
The Picture of Dorian Gray
To Otto Bertis
Cast: Otto Bubeníček, Jiří Bubeníček and Raquél Martínez
Faun
Cast: Raphaël Coumes-Marquet, Jón Vallejo and Claudio Cangialosi
Francesco Pio Ricci, Jón Vallejo, Michael Tucker, Vabien Voranger, Maximilian Genov and Jan Oratynski
Prelude & Fugue
Premiere — creation for Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo, January 5th 2013
For Tokyo
Cast: Dorothée Gilbert and Hervé Moreau
Le Souffle de l´Esprit
To Olga and Marie
Cast: Otto Bubeníček, Jón Vallejo and Jiří Bubeníček
Raquél Martínez and Duosi Zhu
Katherina Markowskaja, Anna Merkulova
Claudio Cangialosi, Michael Tucker, Francesco Pio Ricci and Maximilian Genov
Finale
Cast: by all
Program Book
Tokyo
2014
LES BALLETS BUBENÍČEK
Prague National Theater, 11th and 12th of January 2014
Choreographer: Jiří Bubeníček
Costume and Stage, Video designer: Otto Bubenicek
Lighting Designer of the SOB: Fabio Antoci
Stage Manager: Dominik Strobl
PROGRAM
Le soufflé de l’Esprit
To Olga and Marie
Cast: Otto Bubeníček, Jiří Bubeníček and Jón Vallejo, Elena Vostrotina, Duosi Zhu, Anna Merkulova, Raquel Martinez, Arsen Mehrabyan, Claudio Cangialosi, Michael Tucker, Francesco Pio Ricci
Toccata
To Ilona
Cast: Iana Salenko and Jon Vallejo, Katherina Markowskaja, Claudio Cangialosi, Anna Merkulova, Arsen Mehrabyan and Michael Tucker
Faun
Cast: Raphaël Coumes-Marquet, Jón Vallejo, Claudio Cangialosi, Michael Tucker, Johannes Schmidt, Jan Oratinsky, Fabien Voranger and Francesco Pio Ricci
The Picture of Dorian Gray
To Otto Bertis
Cast: Otto Bubeníček, Jiří Bubeníček and Raquél Martínez
Program Book
Prague
2015
LES BALLETS BUBENÍČEK
at the New Theatre in Plzeň, Czech Republic
Choreography: Jiří Bubeníček
Stage, Costume design and video projection: Otto Bubeníček
Light design: Fabio Antoci
PROGRAM
L’Heure Bleue
Cast: Jiří Bubeníček, Jón Vallejo, Claudio Cangialosi, Sonja Vinograd, Duosi Zhu, Jelena-Ana Stupar and Andrei Andrei Morariu
The Piano
To Ilona
Cast: Jacqueline Bâby, Arsen Mehrabyan, Dmitry Semionov and Casey Hoskins and Jelena-Ana Stupar, Sayo Yoshida, Sae Tamura, Clara Sorzano, Duosi Zhu
Arsen Azatyan, Andrei Morariu, Gal Mazor Mahzari, Alysson da Rocha Alves, Hiroaki Ishida, Jón Vallejo, Claudio Cangialosi
and 5 Kids: Ballet School Plzeň
2016/2017
LES BALLETS BUBENÍČEK
Orfeus
Story one act contemporary dance theater piece, 1st premiere 8.9.2016 in Flora Olomouc, Czech Republic and 2nd premiere 3.3.2017 in Hellerau, Dresden, Germany
Choreography: Jiří Bubeníček and Otto Bubeníček
Dramaturgy and Staging: Skutr – Lukaš Trpišovský, Martin Kukučka and Jiří Bubeníček and Otto Bubeníček
Costumes: Adriana Černá
Producent: JT Promotion and Czech National TV
Lighting: Jakub Sloub, Martin Kukučka and Jiří Bubeníček
Sound: Matouš Pilný
Dancers: Anna Hermann, Otto Bubeníček and Jiří Bubeníček
Actor: Csongor Kassai
Musicians: Terezie Kovalová and Annabelle Dugast
Program Book
Tour
2018
LES BALLETS BUBENÍČEK
"Má vlast bratří Bubeníčků”, ke 100 výročí vzniku Československa
"My homeland of the Bubeníček brothers", on the 100th anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia
Old Town Square, Prague – 2018, June 27th & 28th
Má vlast (My Homeland)
Six Musical Poems by Bedřich Smetana
Choreography:Jiří Bubeníček
Costume Design by Otto Bubeníček
Stage: Otto Bubeníček
Danced by International Guests Principal Dancers and Selected Dancers from National Theatre in Prague
Rafaelle Queiroz Rodrigues, Haruka Sassa, Alina Nanu, Miho Ogimoto, Kristýna Němečková, Olga Bogoliubskaia, Alexandra Pera, Aya Watanabe and Sophie Benoit
Arsen Mehrabyan, Flavio Salamanka, István Simon, Jiří Jelínek, Arsen Azatyan, Adam Zvonař, Youn Sik Kim, Danilo Lo Monaco, Zachary Rogers, Domenico di Cristo and Renato De Leon
Special thanks to Adriána Krnáčová, the mayor of Prague and ing. Marcela Tomášková for event organization and love for this art form.
Program Book
Bonn
Program Book
Oldenburg
2023
LES BALLETS BUBENÍČEK
at the 32nd International Music Festival Krumlov,
Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
"FRENCH NIGHT"
Alexander Melnikov – piano
Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
Robert Jindra – conductor
Jiří Bubeníček – choreography
Les Ballets Bubeníček together with participants from 1st edition of Bubeníček Ballet Masterclasses
PROGRAM
Aux étoiles
Music: H. Duparc: Poéme nocturne - Aux étoiles
Cast: Léonore Baulac and István Simon
C. Saint-Saëns: Piano concerto No 5 in F Major, op. 103 „Egyptian“
With pianist Alexander Melnikov
intermission
La Mer
Music: C. Debussy: La Mer, L 109
Cast: Bubeníček Ballet Masterclasses - selected participants (organized by J. Bubeníček)
Bolero
M. Ravel: Bolero C Major, op. 81
Cast: Jenny Laudadio, Jón Vallejo, Christian Bauch, Joseph Gray and Rodrigo Pinto
2024
LES BALLETS BUBENÍČEK
at the 33rd International Music Festival Krumlov,
Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
"SHAKESPEARE 460: ROMEO & JULIET" CONCERT
A special performance to mark the 460th anniversary of William Shakespeare's birth.
ARTISTS
PKF–Prague Philharmonia
Alena Hron – conductor
Jiří Bubeníček – choreography
Les Ballets Bubeníček – ballet ensemble
Bubeníček Ballet Masterclasses participants
PROGRAM
Vincenzo Bellini: Capulets and Montagues – Sinfonia
Charles Gounod: Overture to Romeo and Juliet
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet – Overture – Fantasia
Sergei Prokofiev: Scenes from the ballet Romeo and Juliet Op. 64
2024
LES BALLETS BUBENÍČEK
at the 33rd International Music Festival Krumlov,
Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
"MÁ VLAST"
Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
Robert Jindra – conductor
Jiří Bubeníček – choreography
Les Ballets Bubeníček together with participants from 1st edition of Bubeníček Ballet Masterclasses
PROGRAM
Má vlast
Music:
Cast: Selected dancerso of Semperoper Ballet, Dresden
Videos
Reviews
Saitama Interview and Dance Review
Press review
Press reviews
collected articles
BALLETS ON TOUR
