NURNBERG - Staatstheater Nürnberg Ballet of Difference presents New Ballets Russes, two works by Richard Siegal, Nuremberg's ballet director. The ballet evening includes Petruschka and the world premiere of Pulcinella, set to the music of Igor Stravinsky.

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, the two-part ballet evening New Ballets Russes will premiere at the Nuremberg Opera House. Staatstheater Nürnberg Ballet of Difference will present Richard Siegal's 2022 choreography Petrushka (created at the Schauspiel Koln) and the new creation Pulcinella. The Staatsphilharmonie Nürnberg will perform Igor Stravinsky's music under the baton of Jan Croonenbroeck. In New Ballets Russes, Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Richard Siegal examines and reactivates the spirit of Sergej Diaghilev's Les Ballets Russes – the most influential ballet company of the 20^th century.

Richard Siegal on Diaghilev's Les Ballets Russes: “The company pursued a bold mission: to expand the boundaries of ballet, but also to promote respect for the traditions and knowledge of other disciplines. This ethos also forms the core of the creative drive of Staatstheater Nürnberg Ballet of Difference.”

In Petrushka, Richard Siegal breathes new life into Stravinsky's classic with a meticulous examination of its musical and narrative architecture. The work is characterized by Flora Miranda's colorful costumes, Matthias Singer's vivid lighting design, and Jean-Marc Puissant's reinterpretation of the original stage design by Alexandre Benois.

In his world premiere of Pulcinella Siegal develops his own narrative that uses the timeless expressiveness of the Commedia dell'arte to shed pointedly satirical light on political structures and characters. Designer Jean-Marc Puissant also drew inspiration from the Commedia dell'arte for the costumes for this new creation, while the set design is inspired by the original design by Pablo Picasso.

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