Ballet by John Neumeier
based on Hans Christian Andersen

World Premiere
The Royal Danish Ballet, The Opera House
Copenhagen, April 15, 2005

Premiere in Hamburg
The Hamburg Ballet, July 1, 2007

On Tour
2009 Nagoya, Nishinomiya, Tokyo 2013 Costa Mesa (CA), Baden-Baden 2017 Washington

In the Repertory
Royal Danish Ballet
San Francisco Ballet
Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theatre
The National Ballet of China

If you looked down to the bottom of my soul,
you would understand fully the source of my longing
and – pity me. Even the open, transparent lake has
its unknown depths, which no divers know.
H.C. Andersen in einem Brief an Edvard Collin 1835

For the bicentenary of the birth of the poet Hans Christian Andersen John Neumeier has created a modern but timeless interpretation of "The Little Mermaid" – a dramatic tale set in two contrasting worlds: The simple, underwater life of the ocean creatures and the flamboyant lifestyle of humans. The central figure of the mermaid travels through both worlds, enduring torment because of her committed love for the prince – but through her own strength in the end – transcends. The ballet underlines parallels to the fairy tale in the biografie of Hans Christian Andersen.

Synopsis

The Story of The Little Mermaid
By John Neumeier

Prologue
During a sea voyage, a Poet remembers the wedding of his dear friend Edvard to Henriette. Mourning his separation from Edvard, a tear rolls slowly down the Poet's cheek, falling into a sea of memories and fantasies.

Part 1
At the bottom of the sea, the Poet's longing for Edvard takes the form of a little mermaid. This lovely sea creature watches a ship pass on the water's surface, and dreams of the earth world.
On board the passing ship, sailors are exercising. Their Captain, a Prince—strongly resembling Edvard—is absurdly playing golf. Accidently hitting a ball overboard, he dives into the sea to retrieve it. Although the Prince is unable to see the Mermaid, her presence embraces him. When the Sea Witch appears, a terrible storm erupts and the Prince is in danger of drowning; the Poet wills the little Mermaid to rescue him. Holding the Prince's unconscious body, the Mermaid, whose frolicsome play has now turned to love, cannot resist from kissing him.

Bells sound as a group of convent schoolgirls arrive at the seashore. One of the girls, a Princess—looking very much like Henriette—discovers the Prince. She tentatively wakes him. Believing the Princess to be one who saved him, the Prince seems to fall in love with her.

Sad and despondent, the little Mermaid witnesses the developing affection between the Prince and Princess, and mirroring the Poet's soul, her desire for the Prince turns to desperation.

Determined to become human, the little Mermaid searches for the Sea Witch. Love gives the little Mermaid courage to beg for a human body. A terrible ritual follows, and taking her beautiful tail as ransom, the Sea Witch violently transforms her. The little Mermaid now has legs.

Waking naked on the seashore, she finds her first steps unbearably painful. The Prince, passing by, takes pity on this strange creature and carries her on board his ship. It seems her dream has been realized.

As the ship is about to depart, the Prince discovers the Princess among the passengers. As the love between the Prince and Princess intensifies, the little Mermaid suffers the intense pain of human disappointment.

Part 2
The little Mermaid is determined to be a woman, but the closed rooms of the earth world stifle her attempts. In spite of her efforts, she is still awkward and clumsy in her human body. Visions of the sea cross through her dream. Deeply in love with the Prince, the little Mermaid's desire to be loved in return is now clearly in vain; today he will marry the Princess. The little Mermaid is to be a bridesmaid. During the celebrations, the Sea Witch appears as part of a strange entertainment. He gives the little Mermaid a lethal knife, promising that if she kills the Prince, her tail will be restored, and she will be able to return home in the deep sea. After all the guests have departed, the little Mermaid encounters the Prince. But it is clear to her that she could never harm him. During their farewell, the little Mermaid wonders whether the Prince feels, just for a moment, the depth of her passion. Did they nearly kiss? Abruptly he departs for his wedding night with the Princess.

Epilogue
The little Mermaid is left alone. Her pain reflects the Poet's own painful situation. Each seems the shadow of the other—each abandoned by the object of their intense love. They are one—creator and creation. It is the Poet's love for his Mermaid that gives her the soul that will make her immortal, just as she, "The Little Mermaid," will immortalize him. Courageous, they search for a new world

Review

"Sensitive and intelligent new interpretation... A wonderful experience"
Berlingske Tidende, Copenhagen

 
Trailer I
Trailer II
Photos
Synopsis

1 intermission
2 hours 30 min.

Season 2016/2017

Hamburg State Oper
June 13, 18
July 5
2017

Calendar

Tickets

Tour 2016/2017

WASHINGTON
Kennedy Center
March 28, 29, 30, 31
April 1 (2x), 2
2017