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»It was as if someone had released a wild animal into a living room«, one London journalist wrote in an obituary of Rudolf Nureyev, that remarkable artist who as a dancer recalibrated the world of ballet and as a choreographer breathed new life into the classics.

The Vienna State Ballet’s Nureyev Gala, introduced as the season’s finale by Manuel Legris in 2011, will be continued in alternate years under Martin Schläpfer: »As a bow to this truly exceptional dancer, but also to the work of my predecessor Manuel Legris«, said Martin Schläpfer. In memory of Nureyev, whose influence in Vienna was so strong, not only knowing how to make Russian narrative ballets sparkle but also working together with many leading contemporary choreographers and always being open to new things, in its 2022 Gala, the Vienna State Ballet will present historic work by Marius Petipa alongside contemporary ballet by Sol León & Paul Lightfoot, George Balanchine’s glittering virtuoso »Allegro brillante« and the »Songs of a Wayfarer« created especially for Nureyev by Maurice Béjart alongside Martin Schläpfer’s »Hungarian Dances«. Hans van Manen will entrust the students of the Ballet Academy with his ensemble piece »Unisono«.

In future, forms other than classical and modern dance shall also have a place at the Nureyev Gala. The first of these will be provided by David Coria, an artist whose unique elegance, breath-taking virtuosity and compelling aura makes him one of the outstanding flamenco dancers in Spain. The acclaimed star of Stuttgart Ballet Friedemann Vogel will also return to Vienna as a guest alongside Guillaume Côté from The National Ballet of Canada.