As a dancer with the Ballet of the Netherlands Opera, Van Manen made his festival debut in 1953 in the opening performance El retablo de maese Pedro by Manuel de Falla. Ten years later, in 1963, one of his choreographies appeared on the programme for the first time: the world premiere of Symphony in Three Movements, performed by Nederlands Dans Theater. In the years that followed, Van Manen’s work consistently attracted great interest from audiences and critics alike. In 1970 there was additional cause for attention when several members of the Dance Theatre performed completely naked in Mutations, set to music by Stockhausen. “No one who saw it would ever call the Holland Festival dull or old-fashioned,” wrote an American critic afterwards.
His designation as ‘central choreographer’ of the Holland Festival in 1992 was accompanied by an overview of fifteen works from Van Manen’s oeuvre, including two duets during the opening night. His talent as a photographer was also highlighted with an exhibition at De Meervaart. In 2022, a major tribute followed in honour of Van Manen’s ninetieth birthday: no fewer than nineteen works were presented by Het Nationale Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, Introdans, and three prestigious international companies—the Wiener Staatsballett, Ballett am Rhein Düsseldorf-Duisburg, and the Stuttgart Ballet.
Over the years, a total of more than fifty works by Van Manen were performed at the festival, including dozens of world premieres. This makes him the Holland Festival’s most prominent choreographer.
A great artist and a remarkable human being is no more. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his husband Henk van Dijk and to all those who were close to him.