Hamburg Ballet in crisis: Volpi's departure saves the ensemble!

Hamburg Ballet in crisis: Volpi's departure saves the ensemble!

The turbulent situation at the Hamburg Ballet has reached a significant turning point: Demis Volpi, who only took over the helm of the traditional ensemble in the summer of 2024, has given up his position as artistic director. This decision came after just one year and is the result of massive internal tensions, as ndr.de reports. The star ballerino Alexandr Trusch commented on Volpi's departure with noticeable relief and emphasized that without this step the ballet was on the verge of collapse.

The background seems to be firmly rooted in a toxic working atmosphere, which was massively criticized by the dancers. Volpi was accused of being frequently absent, having poor communication and not appreciating the dancers enough. The situation became really serious when around half of the company wrote an incendiary letter to Senator for Culture Carsten Brosda, in which they expressed their concerns and displeasure. More than fifteen first soloists also went public together with Trusch on the day of their termination to express their criticism, according to ballett-journal.de.

The effects on the ensemble

The pressure on the ensemble since April has led to a historic resignation. The selection of dancers, the ethics of communication and the level of artistic collaboration could not be left behind. The letter in question not only points out Volpi's leadership style, but also the dancers' deep desire to recreate a respectful and supportive work environment. Volpi, following in John Neumeier's footsteps, seemed overwhelmed by the demands and expectations, which contributed to the tense atmosphere in the ensemble.

The Stuttgart State Opera and the Hamburg State Opera's works council have already taken action by ordering a risk assessment, the results of which are expected this week. Such an implementation is a sign that the cultural authority is seriously interested in a solution. Trusch, who is described as a 35-year-old frustrated dancer, sees the situation not only as a negative impact, but also as an opportunity to strengthen the cohesion and power of the ensemble.

The way forward

The search for a new artistic director will now probably take longer, while the Hamburg Ballet will be led by an interim management in the short term. This change could present the house with new challenges, but also offers the opportunity to integrate a breath of fresh air and creative impulses. Oh yes, as far as Alexandr Trusch's personal future is concerned, it remains uncertain. However, he has always emphasized how important the connection to Hamburg is to him and hopes for a positive turnaround for the entire company.

In summary, Volpi's departure has not only shaken the dynamic landscape of the Hamburg Ballet, but also represents a call to the cultural authority to rethink its leadership style and communication strategies. We can look forward to seeing what the next steps will look like in this exciting and challenging situation and hope for a return to the old strength of the Hamburg Ballet, which was once revitalized with Neumeier's vision.