Danish Ballet

Danish ballet has produced a long line of world-famous performers, and the Danish Royal Ballet, rooted in the 19th century tradition established by Auguste Bournonville, is a trend-setter throughout the ballet world. The repertoire is broad, with inspiration drawn right from Bournonville through Balanchine to the Beatles. In just a single season it might span the world’s oldest ballet, the Whims of Cupid and the Ballet Master (Amor og Balletmesterens Luner), to all-modern performances led by the Dane, Peter Martins of the New York City Ballet. One of the more famous of the Royal Ballet’s set designers is none other than Denmark’s Queen Margrethe who designed the costumes and sets for the ballet Et Folkesagn (“A Legend”).

Dance in the Open-Air

Every August the Danish Royal Ballet gives an open-air performance at Copenhagen’s old fortress Kastellet, where the father of Danish ballet, Auguste Bournonville, was once ballet master.

World-famous Names from Denmark’s Provinces

The world-famous Danish ballet dancer Peter Schaufuss has his own ballet company in Holstebro in West Jutland, from where, as Denmark’s leading independent company, the performers tour the world with new interpretations of the great classical ballets and new ballets created by Peter Schaufuss.

Modern Dance

New, experimental scenes are popping up in many places around the country. The Dance Scene in Copenhagen is an exciting forum for modern dance with Nyt Dansk Danseteater as a key mover and shaker. Twelve companies and a number of choreographers are dedicated to an inspiring Danish dance environment, with performances bringing home awards for Denmark. In Århus, the MTB Danseteater is a significant regional ballet company with prominent performances by international choreographers. The Dance Festivals are held every year.