Winterreise: Ballet by Christian Spuck

Christian Spuck’s ballet, Winterreise, is a creative reimagining of Schubert’s beloved song cycle.

Set to the poems of Wilhelm Müller, the Winter Journey cycle tells the chilling story of lost love. For his piece, Spuck chose to use the ultra-expressive 1933 orchestration by Hans Zender for tenor and small orchestra.

Set inside a pale grey box, Ballett Zürich dancers meander through a sparse wood while tenor Mauro Peter sings just out of sight. The piece portrays a journey into the innermost self, exploring timeless themes of love, longing, alienation, and abandonment. It’s no wonder this piece won the 2019 Prix Benois de la Danse.