The Hamburg Ballet Comes to Chicago, 2/1 & 2

The Hamburg Ballet - widely considered to be one of the world's greatest dance companies - will begin its U.S. tour at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance on Feb. 1, 2013. The two-performance engagement at Chicago's Harris Theater marks the esteemed classical ballet company's Chicago debut and the Windy City premiere of the ballet's iconic work, "Nijinsky."

"Nijinsky" is the dark and dramatic creation of accomplished Milwaukee-born ballet dancer, director and choreographer John Neumeier, who has led the Hamburg Ballet for the past 40 years. The ballet is based on the life and legend of one of the most exceptional dancers and artists of our century - Vaslav Nijinsky.

The Hamburg Ballet and its company of 80 dancers, which represent 26 distinct nationalities, will make only one stop east of California in its three-city U.S. tour - and that singular engagement will be in Chicago on the Harris Theater stage (205 E. Randolph Drive).

"This daring, revered, classical company has never performed its iconic ballet "Nijinsky" in Chicago," said Michael Tiknis, president and managing director of the Harris Theater. "Bringing such an epic work reaffirms the theater's commitment to presenting the world's finest music and dance to Chicago audiences."

The Hamburg Ballet will perform "Nijinsky" twice on the Harris Theater stage - at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 and 2, 2013 - then the company will be in Costa Mesa, Calif., from Feb. 8 to 10, and complete its U.S. tour in San Francisco, Calif., with performances from Feb. 13 to 19.