Noverre’22

The 2022 edition of Noverre: Young Choreographers, presented by the Stuttgart Ballet, once again celebrated the creativity of the company’s emerging choreographic voices. Established in 1961 by John Cranko, the Noverre evenings provide dancers with the rare opportunity to develop and present original works, encouraging artistic experimentation beyond their performing careers. The 2022 programme featured four distinctive premieres, each revealing a unique choreographic language and artistic perspective while demonstrating the remarkable versatility of the Stuttgart Ballet dancers. 

In Zeitorgan, choreographed by Timoor Afshar, movement unfolds as a meditation on time, rhythm, and the body’s internal perception of memory. Through fluid transitions and carefully structured ensemble work, the ballet creates an abstract landscape in which physical motion becomes a metaphor for the passing of time. The contemporary score and minimalist visual design emphasize the dancers’ precision and sculptural movement, allowing choreography to remain the central expressive element.

Better Late Than Never, created by Adrian Oldenburger, approaches human relationships with wit, warmth, and emotional honesty. Blending contemporary ballet vocabulary with theatrical expression, the work explores missed opportunities, unexpected encounters, and the possibility of new beginnings. Dynamic partnering, expressive character work, and an engaging musical selection create a performance that balances humour with moments of genuine emotional depth.

In Yasuragi no chi (“Land of Tranquility”), Alessandro Giaquinto draws inspiration from Japanese aesthetics and philosophy. The choreography embraces silence, stillness, and carefully controlled movement, inviting audiences into a contemplative world where balance and harmony emerge through simplicity. Refined lighting, understated costumes, and an atmospheric musical score contribute to the work’s meditative quality, creating an intimate dialogue between movement and space.

Closing the programme, La jeune fille et les morts (“The Young Girl and the Dead”) by Simone Repele and Sasha Riva presents a poetic reflection on mortality, innocence, and transformation. Richly theatrical yet deeply intimate, the ballet combines expressive contemporary choreography with classical influences to create a dreamlike narrative suspended between reality and imagination. Carefully crafted visual imagery, evocative music, and emotionally nuanced performances give the work a haunting beauty that lingers long after the final curtain.

Together, these four original creations demonstrate the artistic diversity and creative ambition that define the Noverre tradition. From abstract explorations of time to poetic narratives and philosophical reflections, Noverre: Young Choreographers 2022 offered audiences an inspiring glimpse into the future of contemporary ballet and the next generation of choreographic talent.