The Staatsballett Berlin dances Pina Bausch’s “Spring Sacrifice” Photo: Yan Revazov
By Martina Hafner
Some things are unequaled good. This could be observed in the ballet evening “Stravinsky” in June 2023 at the State Opera.
Two of the composer’s works were danced, including Pina Bausch’s “Frühlingsopfer” from 1975, which has lost none of its power.
The ensemble races barefoot on clay through the intoxicating ritual of rebirth, lust and struggle. Couples wedge in lascivious duets, women slap each other in the ribs and groin. Breathtakingly, Clotilde Tran throws herself into her dance of death as a victim. Deserved bravo storm, also for the Staatskapelle under Giuseppe Mentuccia.
Marco Goecke’s “Petruschka” danced by the Staatsballett Berlin Photo: Yan Revazov
Marco Goecke’s “Petruschka” is also impressive. His shimmering marionette-like dance style fits the story of the fairground puppet (terrific: Alexandre Cagnat) who falls in love with a ballerina (Alizée Sicre). However, Goecke’s style is so abstract that you have to know the plot to understand what it’s about.
The choreographer was not allowed to rehearse his work himself after his dog excrement attack on a critic. An embarrassing gap! His assistant Nicole Kohlmann received the applause.
By the way, all subsequent performances in 2023 are sold out.