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Queensland to host Australian-first Italian ballet

Giselle - photo by Marco Brescia and Rudy AmisanoItaly’s Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company will perform exclusively in Brisbane for the 2018 QPAC International Series in the company’s first-ever Australian visit in 240 years, Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch announced today.

“The Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company, one of the oldest and most renowned ballet companies in the world, will come to Australia for the first time,” Minister Enoch said.

“The Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company has a long history of working with the best dancers, choreographers and creatives across the world, and will perform two classics, Don Quixote and Giselle, only in Brisbane’s QPAC in November, with music performed live by Queensland Symphony Orchestra.”

Minister Enoch said regional Queensland would also have an opportunity to see a performance.

“Communities including Mount Isa and Maryborough will be able to witness Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company’s Australian debut season on Saturday 10 November through a live simulcast,” Ms Enoch said.

“QPAC will also host a program of related events and performances, similar to what has happened with past International Series.

“This year’s program, called La Scala Plus, is designed to celebrate Italian arts and culture and QPAC will work collaboratively across industry and community to deliver various events including masterclasses for local Queensland dancers, community participation projects, exhibitions, and access to dress rehearsals for students.

“The QPAC International Series, which brings the world’s most recognised performance companies exclusively to Queensland, has reached a collective audience of more than 140,000 people.”

Minister for Tourism Industry Development Kate Jones said the Palaszczuk Government via Tourism and Events Queensland had supported the QPAC International Series since it started in 2009.

“Queenslanders will get the opportunity to see world famous performances right here at QPAC,” Ms Jones said.

“This event attracts visitors from around the world and has injected more than $20 million into the Queensland economy.

“The QPAC International Series 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.”

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 one of the world’s leading ballet companies and participate in the broad range of events that make up this year’s QPAC International Series in celebration of Italian arts and culture,” Mr Kotzas said.

For more information visit www.qpac.com.au