Founded in 1884 within the Hungarian Royal Opera House, Hungarian National Ballet of over 110 dancers is the leading ballet company of Hungary, internationally well-known for its strong classical tradition, high technical and artistic standards, and a very special touch of Hungarian legacy which makes this company unique in the world. The art of the Hungarian National Ballet today is being determi
ned by three main factors: the national traditions building on the oeuvre of two generations of Hungarian choreographers, the influence of the classical Russian school, and the contemporary, modern European and American art. Classical ballets form a firm basis for the company’s repertory. For over 50 years, combinations of titles such as The Nutcracker, Giselle, Swan Lake, La Bayadére, Don Quixote etc. have featured in the seasons’ programs. From the 1970s, Hungarian National Ballet started opening to the modern American and European styles which lead to the inclusion of significant works by Balanchine, Béjart, Ahston, van Manen, Ailey, Kylian, North etc. in our repertory. While classical traditions and world-renowned contemporary authors’ works define most repertoires world-wide, Hungarian National Ballet offers this, and more than that: in Budapest, the audience is additionally presented by those dramatic or entertaining, full-length or one-act, but always spectacular, richly decorated, meaningful and touching pieces which the cream of Hungarian choreographers created. Let it be Gyula Harangozó’s Coppelia or The Miraculous Mandarin; László Seregi’s Spartacus, Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew or Sylvia; Lilla Pártay’s Anna Karenina or Gone with the Wind; Gábor Keveházi’s Zorba – strong characters will fill the stage and capture the viewers’ interest.
