Jiří Kylián's «Chapeau» was created in 2005 for the Nederlands Dans Theater II to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands' accession to the throne. Against the backdrop of the long-standing friendship between Queen Beatrix and Jiří Kylián, the work reflects his intention to symbolically "tip his hat" to her in recognition of her reign and her achievements. Originally conceived as the opening of the tenth Holland Dance Festival, the work had its world premiere at the Lucent Danstheater in The Hague. Inspired by Queen Beatrix's well-known passion for hats, the choreography draws on faithful reproductions from her personal collection.

Set to the iconic soul-funk music of Prince and concluding with a song sung in Hawaiian by the singer Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom, «Chapeau» is surprising and humorous at every turn. As a unique pièce d'occasion within Kylián's choreographic œuvre, it unfolds as a ballet full of precision, richness of detail, and musical complexity that challenges even the most experienced dancers. Chapeau will be the fifth production of a Jiří Kylián ballet in the repertoire of the Bavarian Junior Ballet Munich, following «Evening Songs», «Symphony in D», «Un Ballo», and «Songs of a Wayfarer».

World premiere on 27 October 2005 with the Nederlands Dans Theater 2 at the Lucent Danstheater, The Hague

First performance on 21st March 2027 as part of a Matinee of the Heinz-Bosl-Stiftung at the Nationaltheater München.