Farewell with applause: Goyo Montero's last premiere in Nuremberg

Farewell with applause: Goyo Montero's last premiere in Nuremberg

On Saturday evening, June 28, 2025, the opera house in Nuremberg experienced an emotional conclusion: Goyo Montero celebrated his last premiere with the piece “Malditos Benditos” (Blessed Damned Ones). After 17 years he left the stage of the State Theater and moved to Hanover. The premiere ended with long, thunderous applause, which reflected the recognition and gratitude of the audience, which immersed itself with him in a new era of dance.  

During his time at the helm from 2008 to the current season, Montero created 25 premieres and shaped the ballet company of the Nuremberg State Theater into an internationally recognized institution in the dance scene. The farewell season was sold out at 96 percent, underscoring the choreographer's widespread popularity and influence. “Malditos Benditos” consists of 16 scenes that are closely linked to Montero's earlier works and yet are filled with fresh creativity.

A creative legacy

In “Malditos Benditos” Montero presented a stylistic variety, ranging from music by great composers such as John Dowland, Bach, Beethoven and Schubert to modern singer-songwriter pop by Tom Waits and Bob Dylan. The choreographies are known for their high level of athleticism and artistic expression and deal with existential themes such as loneliness, melancholy, happiness in love, illness and death, which are deeply rooted in human experience.

A very special highlight of the production was the duet in which Montero's son, Theo Montero, sang the song "Im Dorfe" from Schubert's "Winterreise". This gave the evening a warm and intimate touch and closed the loop on Montero's personal memories of his parents, whom he paid tribute to in his farewell speech.

The future of the Nuremberg Ballet

Director Jens-Daniel Herzog described Montero's time as an “era” and emphasized his significant influence on the State Theater. Montero's commitment was also honored with the Bavarian Order of Merit. Richard Siegal will take the stage as the Nuremberg Ballet's new choreographer next season, and the anticipation of fresh impulses is already noticeable.

The production of “Malditos Benditos” runs until July 19, 2025 and offers viewers the opportunity to be carried away by Montero’s impressive work once again. Like the rest of the work, this performance is a tribute to the people who made Montero's success possible. 300 chairs that served as a stage set symbolize the community that always stood behind him.

This is how Goyo Montero says goodbye to an audience that has loyally supported him for 17 years and whose words and movements will remain in the lively dance scene.

You can find out more about the latest productions and the history of the ballet at Dance net as well as at The opera lover.