About the work
"Masters of Movement" is a triple bill by Dutch National Ballet, shown from 9 to 19 June 2026 at the Nationale Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam. It unites three choreographers each with a distinct signature: David Dawson, Krzysztof Pastor and Alexei Ratmansky. Dawson and Pastor were both longtime dancers with Dutch National Ballet, where they began their choreographic careers and later became resident choreographers before pursuing international careers; Ratmansky was appointed an Associate Artist of the company in November 2024, alongside Dawson.
Plot
The evening gathers three works. David Dawson presents his explosive "Empire Noir" (2015), his first piece after being appointed Associate Artist – a ballet about choreography itself and about how dancers relate to one another, driven by an almost manic, dreamlike urgency. Krzysztof Pastor contributes the world premiere "Refraction". Alexei Ratmansky presents "Solitude", a ballet never before seen in Europe. The evening thus combines a return to repertoire, a world premiere and a European premiere.
Cultural significance
With Dawson, Pastor and Ratmansky, "Masters of Movement" brings together three of the most sought-after choreographers of neoclassical and contemporary ballet – linked by their shared history with Dutch National Ballet. The evening documents the company's strategy of pairing its own choreographic tradition (Dawson, Pastor) with internationally celebrated guests (Ratmansky), underlining its standing as one of the world's most important homes for neoclassical dance.