Musicologica Olomucensia

A Concise Development of the Ballet Company at the Olomouc Theatre in 1920-2012

Shortly after the Czech professional theatre in Olomouc was founded, a group of young dancers led by a so-called principal dancer was established in 1920, in addition to the opera and the operetta ensembles. At that time, the group did not constitute an independent ensemble - that came into being only after the World War II. In the beginning, the ballet took part in preparations of opera and operetta performances; only in some seasons, a pure ballet performance was staged. In 1945, the ballet company became independent. It was gradually changed into a fully professional body. Soloists with good technical and artistic qualification came to Olomouc; the company developed, grew, and staged one all-evening ballet performance every year. In the second half of the 20th century, several excellent choreographers worked at the Olomouc theatre; Josef Škoda or Robert Balogh rank among them doubtlessly. A ballet academy began working as a part of the theatre and in 2008, a new festival called Ballet Days Olomouc came into being.