VERDENSBALLETT 2025
The Review
Sylt . Keitum . July 10, 2025
The VERDENSBALLETT is performing at the BENEN-DIKEN-HOF for the 8th time
A magical Ballet Evening
The stage was once again set up for this evening in front of the historic, thatched-roof building with its old chestnut trees. With sunny Frisian weather continuing throughout the afternoon and evening, a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere prevailed on the grounds. Well over 1,000 guests had gathered, and the event was sold out, with holidaymakers and Sylt society alike enjoying the gourmet offerings and the top-class performances of the dancers.
The Bundesjugendballett – John Neumeier opens the event with a new compilation of his repertoire for this special occasion, curated by his artistic director Kevin Haigen, performed by eight dancers, musically accompanied by seven musicians.
Iana Salenko & Steven McRae gracefully danced the Pas de deux Adagio from the ballet “Sleeping Beauty,” choreographed by Marius Petipa, to the music of Peter Tchaikovsky. Afternoon sun and a cloudy sky cast the couple’s performance in a swirl of light and shadow. The audience watched spellbound by the demanding dance, whose choreography repeatedly demanded athletic execution from the artists in many passages. White tents on the adjacent meadow promised delicious treats during the intermission. A magical atmosphere pervaded the scene.
For the eighth time, the VERDENS BALLETT (Danish for “World Ballet”) was performing on the grounds of the BENEN-DIKEN-HOF in Keitum on the island of Sylt. The program included classical and modern ballet parts, scenes and arias from well-known operas, and music for piano and violin. The dancers were accompanied by Norwegian soprano Lydia Hoen Tjore, tenor and emcee Jens-Christian Wandt, as well as Niklas Walentin, violin, and Alexander McKenzie, piano.
In his opening speech, Claas-Erik Johannsen welcomed the audience and thanked in particular the regulars who had been there for the past eight years – thus participating in the event for the eighth time – as well as the new guests who were attending for the first time.
SYLTER RUNDSCHAU . JULY 12/13, 2025
Dance art against a dreamlike Backdrop
Season highlight on Sylt: “Verdensballett” delights 1,100 guests in Keitum
Stephan von Kolson
SYLT “Kairos” is what we speak of in those very rare moments when everything good comes together at once. Not just the timing, but also everything surrounding it.
Such as the performance of the internationally renowned “Verdenballett” on Thursday evening at the Benen-Diken-Hof in Keitum.
There was the hotel itself, the green space, and the tents in front of it. The tables and benches wrapped in white covers, the assortment of snacks ranging from oysters (by star chef Johannes King) to hot dogs (from the Sydslesvigsk Forening).
“Verdenballett” returns
Sylt itself showed off its best side in the beautiful sunshine. And this clearly extended to the 1,100 guests at the productions, who repeatedly clapped enthusiastically – and gave the ensemble a standing ovation at the end.
For the eighth time, the “Verdensballett” was a guest on the grounds of the Keitum private hotel. The Danish world ballet company thrilled the audience against the picturesque backdrop of the Benen-Diken-Hof with classical and contemporary ballet dances, pieces for piano and violin, and sung opera arias – all performed by world stars of the ballet and opera scene. The ensemble itself consists of soloists from leading international ballet companies and is led by Steven McRae, artistic director and principal dancer at the Royal Ballet of London.
The event was once again hosted by Jens-Christian Wandt – tenor and founder of the “Verdensballett” – who, with his Danish accent, plenty of wit, and feigned linguistic insecurities, led the program with a wink.
Eight dancers, aged 18 to 23, from the Hamburg Bundesjugendballett kicked things off. They made the event’s soaring heights clear from the very beginning: ballet is about joie de vivre, body language, music and expression. But above all, one thing: skill!
This was demonstrated not only by Steen MeRae, a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet of London and who even performed a tap dance to “Singing in the Rain.” But also by Sangeun Lee, who was invited to dance the ballet “In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated” by American choreographer William Forsythem and did so for the Sylt audience.
This was also the music, once again composed by Niklas Walentin and Alexander McKenzie. Special mention should certainly be made of the Norwegian soprano Lydia Hoen Tjore, who somehow managed to create particularly warm tones with her vocal range.
At the end, an inspired audience remained – one that can already look forward to a repeat in 2026: “We have a working title in the planning stages. And it definitely includes another stop here in Keitum for the ‘Verdensballett’ tour,” said Claas-Erik Johannsen, head of the Benen-Diken-Hof. The artists will make the final decision after the tour in the fall. Courtesy of the Sylter Rundschau
In 2016, the VERDENSBALLETT, initiated by Danish tenor Jens-Christian Wandt, left Denmark for the first time and performed on the lawns of the BENEN-DIKEN-HOF. It was an incomparable evening that enchanted us all and took place for the eighth time this year on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
With Steven McRae, Artistic Director and Principal Dancer at the Royal Ballet of London, at the helm, some of the world’s most talented dancers once again participated:
Iana Salenko . Prima Ballerina, and Kammertänzerin at the Staatsballett Berlin
Astrid Elbo . Principal Dancer at the Royal Ballet of Copenhagen
Steven McRae . Principal Dancer at the Royal Ballet of London
Harris Beattie . Principal Dancer at the Northern Ballet, England
Anna Rose O’Sullivan . Principal Dancer at the Royal Ballet of London
Sanguen Lee . Principal Dancer at the English National Ballet, London
Gareth Haw . Principal Dancer at the English National Ballet, London
The guest performer was the
Bundesjugenballett – John Neumeier
The Bundesjugendballett – John Neumeier is a dance company of eight international dance talents aged 18 to 23 who have already completed their dance training. They work and perform with the Bundesjugendballett – Joihn Neumeier for a maximum of two years. Under the artistic and pedagogical direction of Kevin Haigen, the company is based in Hamburg – under the management and artistic direction of John Neumeier. Performances take place nationally and internationally on all kinds of stages. The mission of the Bundesjugendballett – John Neumeier is to bring professional dance to the people – in concert halls as well as in schools, hospitals, and social institutions. The ensemble currently unites 14 nationalities, offering lived diversity and artistic excellence on stage.
“Every time I see a rehearsal or performance of the Bundesjugendballett, I am deeply moved by the unconditional honesty with which the young dancers convey the emotional content of their choreographies. Making this experience accessible to everyone – across social and cultural barriers – is the forward-looking mission for which the Bundesjugendballett stands with its very existence.” John Neumeier
The ballet, whose young dancers have thrilled audiences at the BENEN-DIKEN-HOF in previous years with their committed performances full of elegance, courage, and joie de vivre, returned to Sylt in 2025 after a two-year hiatus.
It is once again a magnificent evening of ballet – very special, unique.
A summer evening full of music, movement, and magic.
Visitors to this year’s performance will be offered a program with highly sophisticated excerpts from the diverse world of ballet, including two new choreographies, spiced with opera and classical music.
Steven McRae, principal dancer at the Royal Ballet of London and artistic director of the VERDENSBALLETT, put it this way: “We want guests to experience the performance like a box of chocolates – each with its own distinct flavor, leaving them wanting more.”
This year’s performance began with a sparkling excerpt from the greatest classic, *Sleeping Beauty*, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s magnificent music.
Dancing include…
Anna Rose O’Sullivan & Harris Beattie . Excerpt from *Romeo and Juliet*
Sangeun Lee & Gareth Haw . Pas de deux by William Forsythe from *In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated*
Iana Salenko & Steven McRae . Pas de deux from Don Quixote
New Choreographies
Two brand-new works by internationally acclaimed choreographers were created exclusively for this year’s tour:
Bobbi Jene developed a solo especially for Astrid Elbo,
Tobias Praetorius created a pas de trois based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Flowers of Little Ida,” danced by Astrid Elbo, Sanguen Lee, & Gareth Haw.
PROCESS
4:00 p.m. . Opening of the event area.
We offer visitors a wide range of food and drinks on the lawns of the BENEN-DIKEN-HOF.
***
5:30 PM. Performance by the BUNDESJUGENDBALLETT / VERDENSBALLETT. Part I
***
PROGRAM
The Bundesjugendballett – John Neumeier opens the event with a new selection of its repertoire, curated by its artistic director Kevin Haigen, performed by eight dancers and accompanied by seven musicians. The choreographic signatures of Ricardo Urbina, Raymond Hilbert, Sybil Shearer, and John Neumeier meet musical works by Sixto Rodriguez, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Arvo Pärt, George Gershwin, Benny Goodman, and a poem by the great Maya Angelou.
“Yours is my whole heart” from the operetta “The Land of Smiles”
Music by Franz Lehar . 1929
Jens-Christian Wandt, Niklas Walentin & Alexander McKenzie
Sleeping Beauty . Act 1 . Opening
Music by Peter Tchaikovsky . 1890 – Arrangement by Steven McRae
All dancers
Sleeping Beauty . Pas de deux . Adagio
Music by Peter Tchaikovsky . Choreography after Marius Petip
Je veux vivre . from “Romeo & Juliet”
Music by Charles Gounod
Lydia Hoen Tjore & Alexander McKenzie
Romeo & Juliet . Pas de deux
Music by Sergei Sergejewitsch Prokofiev . Choreography by M. Moricone
Anna Rose O’Sullivan & Harris Beattie
Méditation – from Thaïs
Music by Jules Massenet . 1894
Niklas Walentin & Alexander McKenzie
Forget-me-not . Pas de trois . World premiere
Music by Alexander McKenzie . Choreography by Tobias Praetorius . 2025.
Costumes by Soren le Schmidt
Astrid Elbo, Sangeun Lee & Gareth Haw
Niklas Walentin & Alexander McKenzie
Realized with the support of the Augustinus Foundation
Singin’ in the Rain
Music by Nacio Herb Brown . Choreography by Steven McRae
Steven McRae, Jens-Christian Wandt, Niklas Walentin & Alexander McKenzie
6:30 p.m. . INTERVAL
***
7:00 p.m. . Performance by the VERDENSBALLETT. Part II
***
It Ain’t Necessarily So
Music George Gershwin
Niklas Walentin & Alexander McKenzie
Love Me, Love Me Not . Pas de deux . Premiere
Music Joe Davis & Frederick Loewe . Choreography Harris Beattie . 2025
Anna Rose O’Sullivan & Harris Beattie
O Solitude . Pas de deux . Premiere
Music Henry Purcell . O Solitude . 1685 . Choreography Bobbi Jene . 2025
Astrid Elbo
Lydia Hoen Tjore, Niklas Walentin & Alexander McKenzie
In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated . pas de deux
Music Thom Willems . Choreography William Forsythe . 1987
Sangeun Lee & Gareth Haw
In source trine morbide . from Manon Lescaut . Act 2
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Lydia Hoen Tjore & Alexander McKenzie
Don Quixote . Pas de deux
Music by Léon Minkus . Choreography after Marius Petipa . 1869
Jana Salenko & Steven McRae
Finale
Music by Johann Strauss . from “Die Fledermaus” . Arrangement by Steven McRae
All participants
8:00 p.m. . End of the ballet performance
***
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. . Aftershow – the meadow remains open,
and the evening’s artists will join in.
***
10:00 p.m. . End of the event
Impressions of the Event Process
VERDENSBALLETT . Denmark
https://verdensballetten.dk/
BUNDESJUGENDBALLETT – John Neumeier
https://www.bundesjugendballett.de/
