The turbulent life of Dutch spy and dancer Mata Hari will lead the bill at Amsterdam’s Dutch National Ballet (DNB) in 2016, opening with its highly anticipated world premiere on Saturday 6 February.
Born to an affluent family in 1876, Dutch icon Margaretha Geertruida Zelle (Mata Hari’s real name), left her husband for Paris where she became a famous exotic dancer. Zelle’s European collection of ‘lovers in high places’ made her an ideal spy during World War I. Accused of being a double agent, she was killed by a French firing squad in 1917.
Choreographed by DNB artistic director Ted Brandsen, to a score by Tarik O’Regan, the libretto of Mata Hari has been written by Janine Brogt. A luscious set will be provided by duo Clement & Sanôu, with costume design by Francois-Noël Cherpin. The world premiere takes place at DNB on 6 February, shows run until 26 February.