Our City, Your Ballet: Thomas Jung

Tell us about your role at Birmingham Royal Ballet.

My name is Thomas Jung and I'm the Principal Guest Conductor for Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. I'm based in Germany, but I come to Birmingham several times each year to work with the Company both here in Birmingham and on tour. 

What makes Birmingham Royal Ballet unique?

One of the things that makes BRB so special is that it has its own orchestra: the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, which is an extraordinary group of musicians. Ballet is a unique art form because music and movement are completely connected, and having an orchestra that actually supports the dancers in that sense, creates a level of understanding and trust that is very difficult to achieve otherwise. The musicians know the repertoire, they know the dancers, and they understand how to support what's happening on stage in real time. That relationship is one of BRB's greatest strengths. Audiences may not always realise it, but the orchestra is telling the story alongside the dancers. Having our own orchestra is essential to maintaining the artistic quality and identity of the Company. The Royal Ballet Sinfonia is not simply an accompaniment to the dancers; it is an integral part of the Company's artistic voice.

What do you love most about Birmingham?

One of my favourite places in Birmingham is Symphony Hall. As a musician, it's impossible not to love it. It's one of the great concert halls in Europe, with a wonderful atmosphere and extraordinary acoustics. Whenever I'm there, whether for a concert or just passing through the area, it reminds me how important music and culture are to the life of the city.

What has been one of your most memorable moments with Birmingham Royal Ballet?

It's difficult to choose just one favourite memory because I've been fortunate to be involved in so many wonderful productions with Birmingham Royal Ballet over the years. But if I had to pick one, it would probably be the triple bill that included Jiří Kylián's Forgotten Land, set to Benjamin Britten's Sinfonia da Requiem. That was a very special experience for me. Britten's score is an extraordinary piece of music, deeply emotional and incredibly powerful. As a statement against war, it has a real sense of humanity and compassion, and seeing that brought to life through dance was profoundly moving. The combination of the music and choreography created something that was both beautiful and deeply affecting. What I remember most is the emotional impact it had, both on those of us performing it and on the audience. It was one of those occasions where everything came together, and it reminded me of the unique power of ballet and live music to communicate something profound without a single word being spoken. 

What would you say to someone who thinks ballet isn't for them?

I would say that ballet belongs to everyone. You don't need any specialist knowledge to enjoy it. At its heart, ballet is about storytelling, emotion, music and human connection. Those are things we all understand. 

What BRB offers Birmingham is a world-class cultural institution right on its doorstep. People travel across the world to see performances of this quality, and Birmingham can be proud that it has a company like this at the heart of the city. If you've never been before, just come with an open mind. You might be surprised by how moving, exciting and accessible it can be. 

What makes Birmingham Royal Ballet's audiences so special?

Birmingham audiences are incredibly genuine. They don't respond because they feel they should; they respond because they've been moved. There is a warmth and honesty in the reaction you get here. When a performance connects, you really feel it. As performers, that means a great deal because the relationship between stage and audience is part of what makes live theatre special. What I love about Birmingham is that audiences come from many different backgrounds, and yet they come together to share the same experience. That reflects the city itself – diverse, welcoming and full of life.