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With great sadness, Ballet Ireland announced the death of Günther Falusy, co-Founder of Ballet Ireland and Artistic Director (1998 – 2008), on 15 December 2017, aged 71.

Günther Falusy was hugely influential in the development of Ballet Ireland and worked tirelessly to firmly establish the company. He created the company’s first successful productions of Swan Lake and The Nutcracker alongside many shorter works.

Falusy was born in Vienna and trained at the Vienna State Theatre School of Ballet, joining the state company in 1961, promoted to soloist in 1966. He made several guest appearances with Stuttgart Ballet and subsequently joined the Bavarian State Ballet, Munich, (1976).  He danced in all the major classics and created numerous roles in a contemporary repertoire, working alongside many giants of the dance world including Nureyev, Massine, Balanchine, Lander, Tudor, Cranko, Wright and Ashton. He danced in Nureyev’s iconic film production of Swan Lake (1966) and appeared annually in the Eurovision Broadcast of the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert.

In 1986, Falusy left the Bavarian State Ballet and founded Wiener Ballet Theatre which toured extensively throughout Europe with a mixed repertoire of mid-scale classics and original works. He choreographed numerous works for the company in addition to several works for the Interlaken, Salzburg and Munich Festivals. In 1997, he relocated to Ireland to help re-establish a secure tradition of ballet nationally, together with co-founder of Ballet Ireland, Anne Maher.

Günther died peacefully in Mistlebach, Austria after a short-term illness. He is survived by his brother Manfred and niece Doris Falusy.

 

May he rest in peace.

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