Hamburg Ballett's stage manager, Staatsballett Berlin's pianist retire after four decades

Without these wonderful people, ballet does not exist.

Hamburg Ballett's Stage Manager Ulrich Ruckdeschel retired after 40 years with the company at the end of the Nijinsky Gala on 20th July 2025, it said in its Instagram post.

"Uli Ruckdeschel, an exceptional stage manager bids farewell and enters a well-deserved retirement after 40 years of dedicated service. Since 1985 – for more than four decades – he has been the sole stage manager of Hamburg Ballet, responsible for every single performance, both at home and abroad," Hamburg Ballett said.

Staatsballett Berlin's (Berlin State Ballet) pianist Peter Hartwig retired after 44 years with the company, it said in a news statement dated 4th July 2025

Hartwig joined the company as a ballet répétiteur on 1st August 1981 to accompany daily classes and rehearsals.

"We'll also remember him dressed in tails, ready to take his place in the orchestra playing piano or celesta, whenever the ballet score called for it," the statement said.

"And who could forget that Swan Lake performance, when he stepped in after the interval to replace an entire orchestra that had gone on strike – finishing the entire second half of the ballet solo at the piano, in front of a full house? The ovation was unforgettable."

I had no knowledge about this! If you have any information about when and if you have recordings, please let me know.