Italy's Famous Teatro Alla Scala Ballet Company Only At Qpac For First Ever Australian Season

Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch and Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones today announced Italy's illustrious Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company would come to perform only in Brisbane for the company's first ever Australian visit in its 240-year history as part of the 2018 Queensland Performing Art Centre (QPAC) International Series from 7 to 18 November.

The 2018 event will feature an extensive program celebrating Italian arts and culture on and off the stage. On stage, Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company will perform two iconic stage classics, Don Quixote and Giselle, with music performed live by Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Since its inception in 2009, the QPAC International Series has been supported by the Queensland Government with funding from Tourism and Events Queensland.

Ms Enoch said Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company was one of the oldest and most renowned ballet companies in the world.

"Teatro alla Scala has a long history of working with the world's best dancers, choreographers and creatives and to have 75 dancers from the company come to perform only in Queensland for its first ever Australian season is a massive coup," Ms Enoch said.

"Regional Queensland will also have an opportunity to see Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company."

"Communities from Mount Isa to Maryborough will be able to witness Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company's Don Quixote on Saturday 10 November through the Live from The Lyric Queensland simulcast," Ms Enoch said.

Alongside Teatro alla Scala's great Principal Dancers Nicoletta Manni and Claudio Coviello, superstar guest artists to appear at the QPAC International Series include David Hallberg Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre, Leonid Sarafanov Principal Dancer at Mikhailovsky Theatre and Maria Eichwald Principal Dancer at Stuttgarter Ballet and international guest for some of the world's most prestigious companies*.

The cast mix will enchant audiences as Nicoletta Manni partners with David Hallberg and Maria Eichwald with pairs with Claudio Coviello in Giselle, and Leonid Sarafanov partners with Nicoletta Manni in Don Quixote.
Minister for Tourism Industry Development Kate Jones said Teatro alla Scala would be a strong drawcard for the 2018 QPAC International Series.

"Attracting this level of international talent exclusively to Queensland cements our State's reputation as a vibrant cultural destination," Minister Jones said.

"Since 2009 the QPAC International Series has welcomed the world's finest performance companies and with approximately a third of audiences travelling from outside of Brisbane, this event has contributed over $20 million to the Queensland economy."

"In an exciting first audiences can see both Teatro alla Scala's performances, Don Quixote and Giselle in one bumper ballet weekend from 16 to 18 November."

"This event has become a highlight on the It's Live! in Queensland major events calendar and this year audiences will again enjoy a spectacular season of ballet," she said.

General Manager of Teatro alla Scala Maria Di Freda said the realisation of the company's tour to Australia at QPAC in Brisbane was a cause of enormous pride and satisfaction.

"It is our first ever presence in a theatre in Oceania and since Teatro alla Scala's very first tour in 1878 to Paris, our activity abroad represents a real passion that has led us to stage opera, ballet and concert performances in 39 countries, comprising 152 projects and 841 curtain openings," Ms Di Freda said.

"The first contact with QPAC took place in 2012 with QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas. Today, finally, the work done over the last few years bears its fruit and we are ready for this new challenge. For our part, as we always do, we will make every effort to win over the public of Australia, a nation linked to Italy by very strong ties!"

Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote (7 to 11 and 17 November) is one of the true signature pieces of Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company and will showcase sparkling choreography and virtuoso performances. Based on episodes of Cervantes' classic novel and set to Ludwig Minkus' magical score, audiences will be transported to a bright and enchanting Spain replete with gypsy dances, fandangos, matadors and windmills.

A tale of unrequited love, betrayal and redemption, Giselle (14 to 16 and 18 November) is the quintessential classical ballet, which continues to thrill audiences with its tragic story of an innocent peasant girl who dies of a broken heart upon learning her beloved is engaged to someone else. Adolphe Adam's score brings this otherworldly tale to vivid life.

Beyond its performances on stage, Teatro alla Scala's reach will be amplified by a program of events and activities including conversations, masterclasses, community participation projects, exhibitions, access to dress rehearsals for students and more under the banner of La Scala Plus. The program will also explore historical and contemporary Italian culture, impact and influence across multiple disciplines including fashion, design, food and film.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said witnessing Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company in Brisbane was something worth travelling for.

"This is a rare opportunity for audiences to see ballet of an exceptional quality with the company's own stars and stars of tomorrow, sharing the stage with big name, international guest artists," Mr Kotzas said.

"The history and success of previous QPAC International Series' has enabled QPAC to attract interest from some of the most significant performing arts companies to appear exclusively in Brisbane."

Since its inaugural presentation in 2009, the QPAC International Series has welcomed some of the world's finest performing arts companies - including Paris Opera Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and The Royal Ballet - with many of them making their Australian debuts.

Tickets are on sale to the general public from 9am, Thursday 15 March 2018 via qpac.com.au/lascala or 136 246. To access the presale, sign up at qpac.com.au/waitlists/international-series-waitlist

The 2018 QPAC International Series is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Principal Partner Minter Ellison.

*casting is subject to change without notice.

Photo Credit: Marco Brescia and Rudy Amisano