After a year like no other, Friedemann was inspired to try his hand at choreography for the first time, and co-created “Not in my hands” with his life partner and former soloist Thomas Lempertz. Set to Mozart's"Requiem", the solo encapsulates Friedemann’s attempt to make sense of these extraordinary times as well as his confidence in the resilience of artists who will eventually triumph.
In his ongoing efforts to engage the audience until live performances resume, Friedemann is premiering the creation as a video on the Stuttgart Ballet’s YouTube channel, filmed by fellow principal dancer Roman Novitzky.
PHYSICAL CONVERSATION – the Exhibition
While the theatres remain shut, Friedemann continues to explore new ways of bringing dance to the public. Last year, he collaborated with Oliver Kröning on "Physical Conversation" - a visual dialogue between a dancer and a photographer, both storytellers using their respective art forms. The limited edition art box comprising photos of Friedemann captured at unlikely locations during the lockdown to raise funds for the Olgäle Stiftung – Foundation for Sick Children.
“Physical Conversation” returns next week, this time as a photo exhibition in the museum garden of the StadtPalais – Museum for Stuttgart, where visitors will have the chance to enjoy dance through the images, each one a fragment of a story open to interpretation.
Curated by the Galerie Kernweine, the exhibition will take place from 9th May until 30th June, with a digital opening live streamed via Facebook and Instagram on 8th May at 19h00.
Friedemann Vogel by Oliver Kröning
MESSAGE AUTHOR FOR INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY 2021
Friedemann feels very honoured to be selected by the International Theatre Institute to give the official International Dance Day message this year. As a dancer, he is more used to communicating through movement, but hopes that his message can help in some way to boost the much-needed sense of solidarity in the dance community at this very challenging time, and shine a light on the importance of dance in the world, now more than ever.
Friedemann Vogel’s Message for International Dance Day on April 29th, 2021
Everything starts with movement – an instinct we all have – and dance is movement refined to communicate. Much as flawless technique is important and impressive, it is ultimately what the dancer expresses inside the movement that is the essence.
As dancers, we are constantly on the move, aspiring to create these unforgettable moments. Regardless of the dance genre, it’s what every dancer strives to achieve. So, when all of a sudden, we aren’t allowed to perform anymore, with theatres closed and festivals cancelled, our worlds come to a standstill. No physical contact. No shows. No audiences. Never in recent history has the dance community been so collectively challenged to stay motivated, to find our raison d’être.
Yet, it is precisely when something precious has been taken away from us that we truly appreciate how vital it is what we do, and how much dance means to society at large. Dancers are often celebrated for their physical prowess, when in fact we are sustained even more by our mental strength. I believe it is this unique combination of physical and psychological agility that will help us overcome, to reinvent ourselves to keep dancing, and to keep inspiring.
Friedemann Vogel for GQ Germany 2021
"Friedemann Vogel is one of the best ballet dancers in the world. We requested him for a fashion shoot - in the interview, he talks about physicality, training and fashion."
In addition to the opportunity to share his thoughts, from the frustration of practising alone during the pandemic, to his increasing appreciation for craftsmanship when it comes to fashion, it was above all, a treat for Friedemann to partake in this shoot for GQ Germany, which served as a timely outlet for expression while theatres continue to be out of bounds
Matter of heart 'Physical Conversation'
Friedemann is excited to announce the launch of “Physical Conversation”: a limited edition art box comprising 23 impressions of him captured across unfamiliar terrains by photographer Olivier Kröning. Inspired by both the process and the outcome of their first collaboration, the two artists decided to donate all proceeds to Olgäle-Stiftung für das kranke Kind e.V., to bring some festive joy to the sick children supported by the foundation in Stuttgart.
300 sets of “Physical Conversation”, will be available for purchase from the Galerie Kernweine website FIRST 100 BOXES ARE SIGNED!!!
Sold Out
Thank you so much for your support!
Deutscher Tanzpreis 2020 for Friedemann Vogel
Friedemann Vogel at the Stuttgart Ballet PHOTO © Roman Novitzky 2020
Friedemann is incredibly honoured to be receiving the prestigious award for "Outstanding Performer" at the 2020 German Dance Prize. The Dachverband Tanz Deutschland (German Dance Association) has lauded him for his longstanding and illustrious international career, and as a unique dance interpreter, with his exceptional combination of intense emotional portrayals and excellent technique. The announcement of this great honour has given Friedemann renewed motivation and strength to continue finding new ways to reach audiences at this challenging time. He is looking forward to seeing everyone at the prize ceremony in October in Essen, and to hopefully sharing the stage with colleagues to do what is so important to them all: to perform live for the audience again.
Back in the Opera House "RESPONSE I" with the Stuttgart Ballet
Friedemann Vogel in Boléro Photo (c) Carlos Quezada
For the Stuttgart Ballet’s highly anticipated new mixed repertory evening RESPONSE I, Friedemann will be performing Béjart’s masterpiece Boléro. Friedemann is thrilled to be dancing for a live audience in the theatre again, after months of cancelled performances both at home in Stuttgart and abroad, and to return to the stage with one of his absolute favourite works makes it even more special.
In addition to the three performances in the opera house for a limited number of audience members on 25th and 26th July with respect to social distancing restrictions, the premiere on 25th July will be broadcast live to the Cannastatter Kulturwasen – a new drive-in movie theatre in Stuttgart – to enable thousands more to enjoy live dance performances again. Details
New documentary "FRIEDEMANN VOGEL - Verkörperung des Tanzes"
Friedemann is delighted to announce that the documentary "FRIEDEMANN VOGEL - Verkörperung des Tanzes" will premiere on 10th April 2020 on German TV channel SWR and on the ARD Media Channel. With the "Dancer of the Year" constantly on the move, the 60-minute portrait by Katja Trautwein provides a dynamic insight into Friedemann's daily life, which revolves around rehearsals, performances, fashion shoots, and of course, travelling across the globe to dance on some of the world's most prestigious stages, in Stuttgart, Berlin, Stockholm, Moscow and Tokyo.
Link to ARD Mediathek (only available in Germany,Austria,Switzerland)
Dior and the Dance with Friedemann Vogel
For over two weeks now, dancers of the Stuttgart Ballet have been allowed back in the dance studios to train in small numbers. Well aware of this being a rare privilege at a time when social distancing has made it very challenging for dancers to stay in shape or rehearse, Friedemann has been wondering how he can give back to the dance world, which has given him so much.
This beautiful “Dior & Dance” initiative has presented a wonderful opportunity, providing a virtual platform for ballet stars to teach voluntary classes, to encourage dancers to continue training even in confinement, while offering the wider public a glimpse of the daily life of a professional dancer.
Together with French choreographer Sébastien Bertaud, Friedemann is pleased to share this simple class and improvisation exercise, in the hope that his small contribution will send a message of positivity to his fellow dancers that they too, will one day return to their dance studios, and subsequently to the stage, to share their beloved art form with their audiences again.
Friedemann Vogel for GQ Italy 2020
"Dancer of the Year 2019 according to TANZ, the bible for contemporary dance, and one of the most important contemporary German dancers", Friedemann kicks off the new year with a fabulous feature in THE FASHION ISSUE of GQ Italia. Dressed by Dior for this exhilarating fashion shoot, Friedemann also gives an in-depth interview on the heightened intimacy between dancers, the ephemeral nature of the art form, the concept of masculinity in relation to dance.
Friedemann Vogel for GQ Magazine January 2020
Friedemann Vogel in Tokyo 2020
Alina Cojocaru and Friedemann Vogel
The “Alina Cojocaru Dream Project 2020” will bring Friedemann back to one of his favourite cities: Tokyo, where he will share the stage with other ballet stars from 5th to 9th February. Programme details will be announced closer to the time. Dates & tickets
Friedemann Vogel back in Rome Italy
Friedemann Vogel (c) Youn Sik Kim
From 24th to 26th January 2020, Friedemann will be performing at the Gala “Les Étoiles a Roma” at the Auditorium Parco della Musica Roma. Watch this space for more details closer to the time!
The Sleeping Beauty in Stuttgart
Elisa Badenes and Friedemann Vogel (c) Stuttgart Ballet
It is always a joy for Friedemann to revisit the role of Prince Désiré in Marcia Haydée's Sleeping Beauty, which underscores the triumph of good over evil, making it a timeless classic. Friedemann will be dancing in the Stuttgart Ballet revival of this romantic fairytale with Elisa Badenes as Princess Aurora for the opening night on 18th December, with more performances to follow.
Friedemann Vogel is Dancer of the Year 2019
Friedemann Vogel by Youn Sik Kim
Friedemann is delighted to be named "Dancer of the Year" by Tanz - the industry dance magazine - in recognition of his recent outstanding interpretations of Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling and Akram Khan's Kaash. This is the second time he has received this prestigious accolade; he was named "Dancer of the Year" for the first time by Tanz in 2010.
Friedemann Vogel in Vogue China 2019
Friedemann Vogel for Vogue China 2019 Photo (c) Youn Sik Kim
"When words prove inadequate to express precise human emotions, we look to the arts." Ahead of his upcoming performances in China with the Stuttgart Ballet and the National Ballet of China, Friedemann reveals his greatest challenge, his favourite film director (Pedro Almodovar), and his dream to have a new full-length ballet created for him, in his interview with Vogue China for their November issue. VOGUE CHINA
Giselle with the National Ballet of China
Following Onegin with Stuttgart Ballet in November, Friedemann will be back in Beijing again on 1st December, on this occasion as guest artist of the National Ballet of China, to reprise the role of Albrecht in Giselle with Qimin Wang as the tragic heroine. It will be the first time Friedemann performs this beloved ballet classic with the National Ballet of China.
Onegin in Beijing China
For the Stuttgart Ballet's tour to Beijing in 2019, Friedemann will be dancing his critically acclaimed role of Onegin on the opening night on 1st November. He is looking forward to perform this masterpiece by John Cranko for the Chinese audience, and to being back on stage in China after nearly three years.
Romeo and Juliet in Taiwan
Photo (c) Stuttgart Ballet
After participating in multiple editions of the annual International Ballet Star Gala in Taipei and Taichung, Friedemann will be giving his first ever full-length performance in Taiwan on 26th October, reprising one of his most popular roles as Romeo in John Cranko's celebrated masterpiece. Friedemann's performance of Romeo & Juliet with Stuttgart Ballet at the Weiwuying National Center for the Arts will also be the first time he is dancing in Kaohsiung.
Ballet Week with the Stuttgart Ballet
Friedemann Vogel (c) Youn Sik Kim
For the highly anticipated Ballet Week, Friedemann will be performing five productions from the Stuttgart Ballet’s 2018-2019 season, including Balanchine’s Symphony in C in Shades of White on 16th & 20th July, Akram Khan’s Kaash in Breath-taking on 24th July, John Neumeier’s The Lady of the Camellias on 25th July, Jiří Kylián’s One of a Kind on 27th July, and finally closing with Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling on 28th July. Friedemann is looking forward to revisiting these ballet masterpieces and contemporary classics in this annual celebration of dance.
"Kaash" by Akram Khan with the Stuttgart Ballet
Friedemann Vogel (c) Koone
Kaash - meaning “if” in Hindi – was Akram Khan’s first full-length work, and Stuttgart Ballet’s premiere of Kaash will present several firsts for Friedemann. As always, Friedemann embraces the opportunity to acquire a different movement vocabulary, particularly the notable interplay between speed and stillness in the classical North Indian dance. As a ballet dancer, he is also excited to interpret this seminal piece by the eminent British choreographer, who broke new ground informing contemporary dance with kathak. Friedemann will perform Kaash for the opening night of the triple-bill Breath-Taking on 28th June, with more performances to follow.