Hebe Mensinga Sarah Oates 107 Text: Rosalie Overing | Photos: Altin Kaftira (orchestra), Jussi Puikkonen (portraits) Dancing to live music Floor Eimers (soloist): “Performing with the Dutch Ballet Orchestra is a great pleasure. Without the musicians, we wouldn’t be complete at Dutch National Ballet. I always love going to the edge of the stage during the curtain calls to thank the orchestra.” Timothy van Poucke (principal dancer): “The music played by the Dutch Ballet Orchestra moves both the audience and me as a dancer. The audience’s first applause is always for the conductor and the orchestra. When you hear that, you know the performance is about to begin.” first violin part before anyone else. Based on the conductor’s interpretation, you decide on the bowings, for instance which direction to bow in particular passages. The rest of the string section follows your lead.” SO: “After that, we usually have three or four rehearsals with just the orchestra, followed by another three or four stage rehearsals. And then there is your individual preparation. You have to practise every day to keep in shape, and if you have a performance in the evening, your whole day builds towards that moment.” HM: “In many ways, it is top level sport, both physically and mentally. You are constantly focused and fully engaged.”
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