The first soloist of the Hungarian National Ballet received a surprise announcement during the curtain call of the 25 April performance of Swan Lake: in the following season, he will hold the most prestigious title of the ballet company of the Hungarian State Opera. The swan-shaped award, created by the Herend Porcelain Manufactory, was presented by ballet director Tamás Solymosi amid celebrations by the company and the audience.
Motomi Kiyota made his debut this season as Mercutio in László Seregi’s Romeo and Juliet, and also appeared for the first time in Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort and as the male soloist in Hans van Manen’s 5 Tangos. He performed the role of the Prince in The Nutcracker on nine occasions, including twice during the company’s guest performances in Venice, and also took part in performances of Swan Lake in Dubai. He delivered a memorable performance as the Jester in Romeo and Juliet. During the remainder of the season, audiences will also be able to see him in The Sleeping Beauty and at the 10th Iván Nagy International Ballet Gala.
Born in Kyoto, the dancer has been training since the age of three. After graduating from the John Cranko Schule, he joined the ballet company of the Hungarian State Opera in 2019, attracting attention already in his first season with his character roles in The Nutcracker. In 2023, he was promoted to grand sujet, and in that same season he danced his first leading role as Basilio in Don Quixote, partnering Tatyjana Melnyik. Since then, they have appeared together in leading roles in The Nutcracker, Coppélia, and La bayadère, as well as in numerous galas at the invitation of the world-renowned dancer Roberto Bolle.
Known for his soaring jumps and virtuoso technique, his repertoire spans a wide range of classical and contemporary roles, including Bratfisch (Mayerling), the title role of The Wooden Prince, Holmes (The Pygmalion Effect), and appearances in The Merry Widow, Manon, Paquita Suite, The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude.
Motomi Kiyota’s achievements have been recognised by the company with the award for Best Corps de Ballet Artist of the Season in 2023, followed by the title of Chamber Artist of the Hungarian National Ballet in 2024. From this season, he continues his career as a first soloist. During the 2026/27 season, he is expected to perform not only the Prince in The Nutcracker but also Ali (Le Corsaire), Gad (Spartacus), Nuraly (The Fountain of Bakhchisarai), and Solor (La bayadère), as well as appearing again in 5 Tangos, Études, Petite Mort, and Sad Case.
The Étoile title, established in line with the French ballet tradition, is awarded by the management of the Hungarian State Opera in recognition of outstanding achievement by artists of the company. The distinction is granted to a single dancer each season and, similarly to the Kammersänger title, is now presented for the second time at the end of a performance, in front of the audience.
Photo by Valter Berecz
