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© Den Kongelige Opera
The Great Gatsby Ballet
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 September 2026 | ||||||
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Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
Fitzgerald's novel celebrates the 100 anniversary for its printing and springs to life at the Opera House in an entirely new ballet spectacle.
The Great Gatsby, a masterpiece of world literature, celebrates its centennial with a brand-new ballet that unravels the captivating tale of the enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby.
Authored by F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of the interwar period's most significant writers, the novel captures the ominous atmosphere of its era. The 1920s in the USA were marked by social and economic decline, widening class divides and moral decay. Jazz music and desperation flourished, with lavish parties on the brink of disaster, all while the American dream was slowly eroding.
Against this backdrop unfolds the dramatic story of the wealthy, charismatic Jay Gatsby, who, surrounded by luxury, is obsessed with reclaiming his great love, the beautiful but somewhat self-absorbed Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby is a dreamer, and his schemes ultimately lead to tragic consequences, not just for himself but for everyone involved.
The Great Gatsby is a mesmerising account of a time when extravagance and decay coexisted. Portuguese choreographer Arthur Pita brings Fitzgerald's immortal characters to life, accompanied by the era's elegant Gershwin music.
Program and cast
Expected duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes incl. 1 interval
Conductor: Chanmin Chung
Choreographer: Arthur Pita
Set- and Costume Design: Gary McCann
Composer: George Gershwin
Music arrangements and original music: Frank Moon
Video Design: Adam Ryde Ankarfeldt
Video Design: Magnus Pind
Light Designer: Jonas Bøgh
Cast - Subject to change
Conductor: Chanmin Chung
The Copenhagen Opera House
The house is administered by the Royal Danish Theatre and is one of the best-equipped in the world. It has a main stage with five other stages directly connected, where large setups can be moved easily in and out. The theatre can seat between 1492 and 1703, depending on the size of the orchestra. The 1492 seats are all individually angled in order to provide the best experience.
The orchestra pit is one of the largest in any opera house, with room for 110 musicians; the structure provides excellent sound quality for the orchestra. If the pit is filled, some musicians are located just below the front of the stage, which has become controversial among some members of the orchestra (according to tour guides in 2005), because this increases the sound levels, beyond those acceptable in Denmark. However, the overhang is very slight and the authorities have permitted this to happen.
During construction of the theatre, some acoustic tests were carried out with the fire curtain in place while technical work was carried out on stage, but great consideration was given to balance between pit and stage. If the orchestra is small or absent, the pit can be covered and additional seats can be added to the auditorium.
Opera House entrance
Just like the old Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen, The Queen has her own box on the left side of the auditorium, closest to the stage. The foyer has been designed for comfort, based on behavioural research on opera goers maximizing the wall area for standing against, while still providing views across the entire foyer and one of the best views on Copenhagen. Guided tours cover most of the building, including both the auditorium and backstage areas.
© Den Kongelige Opera
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