Cellist Evelien of the Ballet Orchestra, who accompanied Van Manen’s ballets for almost thirty years, praises his passion during rehearsals, where the grand master of ballet sometimes shouted when he wanted to make something clear. “He was such a great artist, he had an incredible character. He had so much fighting spirit that was important to him, that he liked.”
He took risks
“He always chose special music for his ballets,” says a friend of the choreographer who frequently visited his ballets. “He took risks that others did not dare to take. It is wonderful that he leaves a legacy that will outlive you and me, so in that respect Hans will always be with us.”