Hamburg Ballet Returning to Chicago

The world-renowned Hamburg Ballet is making its highly anticipated and long awaited return to Chicago bringing two works; Othello on February 23 & 24 at 7:30PM as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago and Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler, considered John Neumeier's masterwork, on February 26 & 27 at 7:30PM. Plus, get an exclusive look at what it takes for a world renowned ballet company to put on two full productions in this never-before-seen interview with Hamburg's Technical Director, Frank Zöllner, HERE.

Hamburg Ballet made its Chicago debut of Neumeier's critically acclaimed Nijinsky at the Harris in 2013, and was slated to perform the Neumeier classic, Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler, the following year in 2014, when an electrical fire at the Theater forced the performance to be rescheduled. The company will now make its triumphant return bringing two of their most acclaimed works to Chicago in their only United States performance of their season.

About the performances & John Neumeier

Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, wins the heart of Desdemona, a Senator's daughter and they are married in secret. Driven by his own jealousy, Othello's captain Iago seeks revenge by stirring Othello into a manufactured rage. The destructive course of action is set and the unfortunate fate of all is sealed.

This performance of Othello is in conjunction with Shakespeare 400 Chicago, celebrating the life's work and legacy of The Bard during 2016, marking the 400th anniversary of his death.

Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler was described by dance critic Clive Barnes as "a work of genius" (New York Post)-the Milwaukee-born choreographer takes inspiration from Mahler's captivating Third Symphony (the longest of Mahler's nine symphonies), translating the imagery into a momentous six-movement ballet that conjures themes of creation, death, and existence, among others. Since its premiere in June 1975, Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler has become one of John Neumeier's most important and defining works.

"I have translated the feelings experienced and images suggested while hearing his Third Symphony into movement, into pure dance situations, and into human relationships," says Neumeier who also designed the costumes and lighting concept for the ballet.

This masterpiece of classical ballet is guaranteed to leave audiences visually, musically, and emotionally fulfilled.

John Neumeier was born in 1942 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he received his first dance training. He continued his dance studies in Chicago as well as at Marquette University in Milwaukee where he created his first choreographic works. After further ballet study both in Copenhagen and at The Royal Ballet School in London, John Cranko invited him in 1963 to join Stuttgart Ballet, where he progressed to soloist and continued his choreographic development. In 1969, Ulrich Erfurth appointed Mr. Neumeier Director of Ballet Frankfurt, where he soon caused a sensation with his new interpretations of such well-known ballets as "The Nutcracker" and "Romeo and Juliet". In 1973, he joined The Hamburg Ballet as Director and Chief Choreographer.

Mr. Neumeier holds the Dance Magazine Award (1983), Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and French Order of Arts and Letters and the Legion of Honour. In 2006, he was awarded the prestigious Nijinsky Award for Lifetime Achievement. He received the Herbert von Karajan Musikpreis in 2007 and the Deutscher Jubiläums Tanzpreis in 2008, all along with countless other awards and recognitions throughout his career. Additionally, in 2015, the Inamori Foundation presented Mr. Neumeier with the Kyoto Prize for his contributions to the Arts and Philosophy.

Hamburg Master Class in Chicago

While in the States, Laura Cazzaniga, Ballet Mistress of the Hamburg Ballet, will conduct a master class for high school dance students on Saturday, February 27 at 3:00 PM CT at Chicago Academy for the Arts. 30 students from Chicago Academy for the Arts and Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) will participate. Ms. Cazzaniga joined the company in 1988, was named a Principal in 1998, and has been Ballet Mistress for the past eight years.

The Hamburg Ballet master class is part of the Harris Theater's ongoing arts education partnerships, which connect Chicago's most gifted young artists and students with presented artists through master classes, workshops, conversations, and collaborative performances. Through its arts education partnerships, the theater has connected students with renowned artists including Wendy Whelan, Michael Tilson Thomas and the New World Symphony, Alonzo King, Wu Han, Kronos Quartet, Pinchas Zukerman and Scottish Ballet.

In addition to hands-on instruction in the master class, dance students from Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts), Chicago Academy for the Arts, and Curie Metro High School will receive underwritten tickets to performances in this engagement through the Theater's Access Tickets Program. In total, the Theater will provide more than 90 high school students with the opportunity to see Hamburg Ballet perform on the Harris stage.

Launched in 2009, the Access Tickets Program ensures that Chicago residents of all ages and communities are able to experience the powerful and uplifting benefits of the performing arts. Through this program, Harris Theater partners with health and human service organizations, K-12 schools, and community organizations to provide underwritten tickets to performances each season. To date, over 8,000 underwritten tickets have been distributed to children, students and families across 25 diverse Chicago neighborhoods.

Single tickets now available at www.HarrisTheaterChicago.org or by calling the Harris Theater Box Office at 312.334.7777.

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