Friedemann Vogel

Friedemann Vogel (born 1 August 1979) is a German ballet dancer who performs with Stuttgart Ballet as a Principal Dancer and as a frequent guest artist at major ballet houses around the world including La Scala in Milan and the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre in Moscow. He has been awarded several prestigious dance prizes including Prix de Lausanne (1997), Prix de Luxembourg (1997), Eurocity Competition in Italy, USA International Ballet Competition(1998) and Erik Bruhn Prize (2002).^[1][2][3] In September 2015, he was awarded the national title Kammertänzer - the highest honor in Germany that can be bestowed on a dancer.^[1][2][3] In the following year, 2016, he was awarded the "Prix Maya" for "Outstanding Dancer" alongside Aurélie Dupont and Diana Vishneva.^[1][2][3][4]

Early life and training

Vogel was born in Stuttgart, Germany. He studied at John Cranko Schule in Stuttgart. After receiving the John Gilpin Scholarship from Princess Antoniette de Monaco, he completed his ballet training at Princess Grace Academy of Classical Dance in Monte Carlo.^[1][2][3]

Career

Vogel embarked on his professional dance career with Stuttgart Ballet in September 1998 as a member of the Corps de ballet. In 1997 to 1998, he participated and won the cash-prize from Prix de Lausanne (1997), Gold Medal from Prix de Luxembourg (1997), Gold Medal from Eurocity Competition in Italy (1997) and Bronze from USA International Ballet Competition(1998).^[1][2][3] In 2002, Vogel won the Erik Bruhn Prize with the Pas de deux from "In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated", a coveted prize awarded to dancers known to have "technical ability, artistic achievement and dedication".^[5] In the same year he won the Erik Bruhn Prize, Vogel was promoted to a Principal Dancer in Stuttgart Ballet where he performs the leading role for many well-known ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, Giselle, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadere, Raymonda, Onegin and Boléro.^[1][2][3] Vogel has also been invited to perform as guest dancer by the following companies (in alphabetical order):^[1][2][3]

• Ballets de Santiago de Chile
• Bayerisches Staatsballett
• Béjart Ballet Lausanne
• Bolshoi Ballet Theatre Moscow
• English National Ballet
• Finnish National Ballet
• Hong Kong Ballet
• Korean National Ballet
• Mariinsky Theater St.Petersburg
• National Ballet of China
• Royal Swedish Ballet
• Staatsballett Berlin
• Teatro alla Scala Milano
• Teatro dell'Opera di Roma
• Tokyo Ballet
• Vienna State Ballet

In 2015, Vogel was awarded by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg the highest honor in Germany, "Kammertänzer", for a dancer.^[1][2][3] In the following year, 2016, he was awarded the "Prix Maya" for "Outstanding Dancer" alongside Aurélie Dupont and Diana Vishneva.^[1][2][3][4]

Reception

In addition to being recognized for his dancing through many prestigious dance awards, Vogel was named "Outstanding Dancer" by the critics in the Ballettanz magazine in 2005 and 2009 as well as "Dancer of the Year" in 2014. The Dance Europe magazine named Vogel "Outstanding Dancer" twice in 2010, awarded by Danza&Danza magazine "best male dancer" in 2011 and also awarded the Positano Premio la Danza – Leonide Massine as the best male dancer in 2012.^[1][2] The British Theatre Guide singled out Vogel as the "standout one" and that he "soars like a bird" in his Tristesse performance.^[6] He was also lauded by Debra Craine of The Times for his performance in Tristesse: "All performers were outstanding, but Vogel in particular lifted Tristesse on to another plane with the sheer beauty and heart of his dancing."^[7] A New York Times dance reviewer named Vogel as a "handsome, appealing, tall dancer whom I hope New York comes to know better"^[8] for his performance in Marguerite and Armand.

Several dance blogs have also praised Vogel: Dancetabs commended Vogel for being a "beautiful, lyrical, light, clean dancer" and that the pas de deux was a "poignant moment" in Tristesse.^[9] Artmeme praised Vogel for his "noteworthy and outstanding presence on stage" and called him an "exquisite German dancer".^[10]

His performances as Des Grieux in Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon together with Eleonora Abbagnato and Rome Opera Ballet were highly anticipated and celebrated by both public and press.^{[11] [12]} Italian newspapers applauded Friedemann Vogel for being an "extraordinary performer": "His heart meets that of the young Des Grieux: marvelous in the first solo, Friedemann Vogel is here (...) a dancer with a crystalline technique and an elegant gesture, a poet in love capable of suspending time in poses with perfect aplomb and twirling with velvety."^[13] Italian TV coverage of his guest performances show the great reception Vogel has received for his interpretation. ^[14][15]

Amongst the 40 international ballet stars participating in the 15th World Ballet Festival in Japan, Friedemann Vogel was the only one invited to be interviewed by Japanese TV Channel NHK on the programme "Gogo Nama" to promote the event, demonstrating the great popularity he enjoys in Asia and especially in Japan.^[16]

Vogel continues to gain the attention of international dance and fashion press in Germany,^{[17][18][19][20][21][22]} Italy,^[23] Russia, China,^[24][25][26] Japan,^{[27] [28]} Korea,^[29] United States of America,^[8][30] United Kingdom,^[6] Singapore ^[31] Taiwan and France.^{[32] [33]}

List of ballets/roles performed

The following table lists the productions Vogel is the lead dancer:^[1][2]

The following table is lists roles specially created for Vogel:^[1][2]

Awards

• 2016 "Prix Maya"
• 2015 "Kammertänzer" of Germany
• 2002 Erik Bruhn Prize
• 1998 Bronze in USA International Ballet Competition
• 1997 Gold Medal in Prix de Luxembourg
• 1997 Gold Medal in Eurocity Competition in Italy
• 1997 Cash-Prize in Prix de Lausanne

References

External links

• Friedemann Vogel's Official Website
• Stuttgart Ballet's Official Website