QPAC secures exclusive Australian debut of one of world’s oldest and most renowned ballet companies

Don Quixote (Photo credit: Marco Brescia and Rudy Amisano)

As one of Australia’s leading performing arts centres, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is committed to contributing to its home state of Queensland’s social, cultural and economic success. The breadth of QPAC’s programme embraces the best in live performance – the world renowned alongside the emerging, local and new.

As part of its 2018 programme, QPAC has secured the first-ever Australian visit of Italy’s illustrious Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company in its 240-year history for the QPAC International Series this November.

Don Quixote (Photo credit: Marco Brescia and Rudy Amisano)

Nine years ago, the QPAC International Series was born from the bold ambition to put Brisbane on the international stage as a city that produced and embraced world class ballet. The ambition was built on a strong foundation of audience growth, QPAC expansion as well as Brisbane’s desire to position itself as a world city.

The original aim was to attract the world’s top five ballet companies to perform exclusive Brisbane seasons and to collaborate with local artists, companies and business to create a diverse surrounding programme that attracted audiences from across the country. It was an aim that quickly attracted partners and national attention.

Since its inaugural presentation in 2009, the QPAC International Series has welcomed some of the world’s finest companies – including Paris Opera Ballet, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Hamburg State Opera, The Hamburg Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Preljocaj and The Royal Ballet – many of them making their Australian debuts.

Every presentation within the Series has been presented in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland and has drawn interstate and international audiences, becoming a must-see event on the national performing arts calendar.

The 2018 event will feature an extensive programme celebrating Italian arts and culture on and off the stage. On stage, La Scala Ballet will perform Don Quixote and Giselle, with music performed live by Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Giselle (Photo credit: Marco Brescia and Rudy Amisano)

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said the International Series was about bringing the world’s best exclusively to Queensland.

“La Scala Ballet is renowned for its great influence on dance in Europe; its precise artistic standards and the pristine technique of its dancers will be strikingly evident in the two iconic stage classics it is performing at QPAC,” Mr Kotzas said.

“However, there is so much more to experience outside the theatre. We want La Scala Ballet’s presence in Queensland to be felt by as many people as possible, so we are creating multiple connection points during the International Series between artists and audiences.”

Giselle (Photo credit: Marco Brescia and Rudy Amisano)

QPAC’s International Series is not only a way to share some of the world’s greatest performance companies, singular productions and attract audiences to Queensland to see them; it is equally a way to engage in an international creative, cultural, educational and business exchange.

During the 2018 QPAC International Series, 115 of La Scala Ballet’s members will take up residency in Queensland for three weeks in November.

The Series builds on the model of an artistic residency. This model provides a framework for a programme of activities that surround the main stage performances. Such a programme of activity is developed together with Queensland cultural organisations, educational institutions and business to create opportunities for exchange and attract unique audiences in their own right.

The International Series residency model ensures visiting artists have multiple points of contact with Queensland artists, audiences and organisations throughout the state.

Where companies of La Scala Ballet’s calibre would ordinarily set down in a city for one or two nights and leave without a sense of the culture and people, the International Series opens the doors for formal and informal connections to be made – in rehearsal studios, meeting rooms, cafes, restaurants and parks. Visiting artists become live ambassadors for the season they are part of but more significantly, on their return home become advocates for QPAC, Queensland and Australia.

Beyond its performances of Don Quixote and Giselle, La Scala Ballet’s reach will be amplified by a programme of events and activities including regional simulcasts, conversations, masterclasses, community participation projects, exhibitions, access to dress rehearsals for students and more.

Since 2009, the QPAC International Series has welcomed the world’s finest performance companies, with approximately a third of audiences travelling from outside of Brisbane, and the Series contributing more than $20 million to the Queensland economy.

The history, knowledge and success gained from previous QPAC International Series has enabled the Centre to attract interest from some of the world’s most recognised cultural brands to come to QPAC for exclusive presentations.

Through its staff, services and commitment to excellence, the Centre has forged a reputation as a trusted curator, presenter and host, solidifying QPAC as an important part of the fabric and future of the Australian performing arts scene.

Visit Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s website here.