Ballet International Gala
Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne
Australia’s own ‘Ballet International Gala’ (BIG) is back this August with their most ambitious tour to date.
Audiences will see some of the world’s most acclaimed dancers perform in major cities across the country including Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne – with a surprising, modern twist on the traditional dance.
BIG have carefully curated each performance to highlight the best repertoires from renowned shows such as Giselle and Sleeping Beauty.
Each repertoire is under 10 minutes, with 10 individual dances tying together into one cohesive, awe-inspiring show.
Blending both contemporary and traditional styles, the Gala will feature a classical dance performed to rock music, which is a show highlight for both the patrons and the performers.
The Gala will this year be headlined by renowned Italian danseur étoile, Roberto Bolle.
Roberto was a Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre for 10 years and has frequently performed as a guest artist with the world’s most prestigious companies including the Royal Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet.
Roberto will be joined by other international heavyweights from the Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and the Australian Ballet, including Alina Cojocaru, Melissa Hamilton and Aran Bell and more, in what is described as a ballet like no other.
BIG’s bite-sized ballet offerings are set to attract a new cohort of ballet-lovers, making the art form more accessible and enjoyable for generations to come.
Tickets are available now via Ticketek and QPAC. To find out more, please visit Ballet International Gala.
Quotes attribute to Ballet International Gala Co-Director Khalid Tarabay
“We created Ballet International Gala to challenge the public’s perception of what it
means to experience ballet in the modern world.”
“BIG IV highlights the incredible athleticism, artistry and ambition of ballet – one which
respects tradition and modernity in equal measure, and most importantly, one which is to
be enjoyed by all.”
“The fact that ballet has remained a celebrated art form throughout history is a testament
to its brilliance and longevity. Nevertheless, time shapes everything, and as times
change, so must we.”
“We’re proud to have brought our vision for BIG IV to life, and we can’t wait for
even more audiences to experience this new-look, modern performance.”
Quotes attribute to Ballet International Gala Co-Director Joel Burke
“BIG IV is exactly what it sounds like – a big show with even bigger ideas.”
“It surprises a lot of people when they hear that I am basically a traditionalist when it
comes to ballet. I love good, clean technique and believe that if we bring an entertaining
show to the public with excitement, the audience will love it as much as we do.”
“Ballet dancers are amongst the best athletes in the world – they tell a story through the
use of nothing but their bodies.”
“For ballet to grow its audience, we need to highlight these artists and enable them to
inspire – and that’s exactly what BIG aims to achieve.”
2023 Ballet International Gala Australian Tour
ADELAIDE – 20 August 2023
Her Majesty’s Theatre,
Adelaide Festival Centre
BRISBANE – 22 August 2023
The Concert Hall, QPAC
SYDNEY – 26 August 2023
ICC, Sydney
MELBOURNE – 27 August 2023
Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
