Hamburg Ballett lets Demis Volpi go, cancels his new work

Hamburg Ballett announced that the contract of Artistic Director Demis Volpi has been terminated, and that his two works would no longer be shown.

Hamburg Ballett said in its news release on 10th June 2025, "Today, the Supervisory Board of the Hamburg State Opera approved the early termination of the contract with Artistic Director of the Hamburg Ballet Demis Volpi. Over the past few days, both parties reached an amicable agreement to terminate the contract at the end of the current season and to release Volpi from his duties with immediate effect."

Volpi succeeded Neumeier in August 2024 as Artistic Director of Hamburg Ballett. The renowned German ballet company, however, has been in turmoil over the past several weeks, according to German news media.

In May, more than half of the company dancers wrote a letter to Senator for Culture Carsten Brosda, accusing Volpi of creating toxic work environment and a lack of artistic quality and appreciation. Five soloist and principal level dancers will leave the company at the end of the current season.

Hamburg Ballett said the company would introduce a joint interim leadership until the end of the 2025-2026 season. This meant the responsibility of the artistic directorship would be shared by multiple people.

"Discussions are currently underway with Deputy Ballet Artistic Director Lloyd Riggins, Ballet Managing Director Nicolas Hartmann, and Deputy Director of the Ballet School Gigi Hyatt. Negotiations are also ongoing with Ballet Managing Director Nicolas Hartmann regarding the interim assumption of the position Volpi held in the Executive Board of the Hamburg State Opera," the news release said.

Brosda, who is also Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Hamburg State Opera, said, "At the same time, we will carefully lay the groundwork for a long-term successor."

WORLD PREMIERE CANCELLED

Hamburg Ballett also announced that it has cancelled Volpi's new work, Damien, and replaced the planned show of his another work, Surrogate Cities, with John Neumeier's The Little Mermaid.

There is no date stamp on Hamburg Ballett's news update about the programme change, but the similar notice on Instagram was posted on 16th June 2025.

"The production "Demian" by Demis Volpi will not take place. A replacement program is yet to be determined. Tickets for the respective dates will remain valid for the time being. In the online schedule, these dates will temporarily be listed as "Ballet Performance." If you wish to return your ticket, please contact our ticket service," the news update said.

""The Little Mermaid" by John Neumeier will replace the production "Surrogate Cities" in both the current and upcoming season, thus also opening the 50th Hamburg Ballet Days."

"If you have already purchased tickets for these performances: Our ticket service will contact you in the coming days with further information about the respective events.

The ticket hotline of the Hamburg State Opera is available at +49 (0)40 35 68 68"

For more details about date changes, click here.

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Update on 29th July 2025 to add more news tags without any changes to the text.