Enjoy a double bill of captivating contemporary ballet with Requiem and Citizen Nowhere at the Dutch National Ballet.

Don’t miss this double bill by one of the world’s most distinguished choreographers. Dutch National Ballet associate artist David Dawson is one of the most-sought-after choreographers today. This season includes two works by this British artist: the world première of Requiem and his already successful Citizen Nowhere.

Requiem

The name may suggest that Requiem is about lost lives. But this particular work is more than a lament for lost lives: it's for all of us who make the world what it is today.

David Dawson: “A Requiem is usually for the lives that have already passed - to remember, but I feel this Requiem is also for all of us now, today - to think. I think a lot about the way we treat and relate to our world, and to each other. But it is not a narrative work, it is inspired by the behaviour of the soul and what is pure about being. It is a Requiem for our time.”

The renowned British composer Gavin Bryars composed the Requiem for orchestra, chorus and vocal soloists. He worked together with David Dawson to examine the impact of previous Requiems and mixed this with their own personal visions and life experiences.

Gavin Bryars is one of the most famous contemporary composers in the world. He began his musical renown as a jazz bassist and displayed a great flair for improvisation. This piqued his interest in composition and minimal music and he has since composed music for musical theatre, string quartet, ballet and more.

Citizen Nowhere

The second half of the double bill is Citizen Nowhere, which was received with overwhelming enthusiasm when it premiered at the Dutch National Opera in 2017. The ballet is loosely based on The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, as well as recurring events of the present day. It stands for the solitary, stateless refugee.

The music for Citizen Nowhere was composed by the Polish composer Szymon Brzoska. Brzoska has taken part in multiple interdisciplinary and collaborative art projects: he is fascinated by synergies between music, contemporary dance, theatre and film.

About the choreographer David Dawson

This double bill of contemporary works is choreographed by David Dawson, whose ballets have been performed in over 25 countries. Born in the UK in 1972, Dawson is one of the leading figures in classical ballet in the present day. His numerous works have received acclaim by critics and audiences all over the world. Since 2015, he has held the position of artistic associate with the Dutch National Ballet. 

Get your ballet tickets

Tickets begin at 18 euros. Get your Requiem tickets on the Dutch National Ballet website.