Media Release - Hinchinbrook To Experience Italy's Flagship Ballet Company In First Ever Australian Season

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) has announced Hinchinbrook will be one of eight Queensland cities and towns to experience Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company’s exclusive performance of Don Quixote in Brisbane via a free simulcast, as part of the 2018 QPAC International Series program.

Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch said communities as far west as Mount Isa and as north as Hinchinbrook would watch Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company’s Australian premiere performance of Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote simulcast live from QPAC’s Lyric Theatre on Saturday 10 November.

“The Queensland simulcast will be broadcast at Moncrieff Entertainment Centre (Bundaberg), Hinchinbrook, Longreach Secondary School, Brolga Theatre (Maryborough), Mount Isa Civic Centre, Pilbeam Theatre (Rockhampton), Armitage Centre (Toowoomba) and Townsville Civic Theatre,” Minister Enoch said.

“Simulcast audiences will see one of the world’s most renowned ballet companies perform a signature ballet with music played live by Queensland Symphony Orchestra, along with exclusive pre-performance content.”

“The Queensland Government supports the QPAC International Series to bring the world’s most recognised performance companies exclusively to Queensland. Since 2009, it has reached a collective audience of more than 140,000 people and contributed over $20 million to the Queensland economy,” she said.

The 2018 QPAC International Series will see the illustrious Italian company perform only in Brisbane for the first ever Australian visit in its 240-year history.

Rudolf Nureyev’s version of Don Quixote, based on episodes of Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel Don Quixote, premiered at Vienna Opera Ballet in 1966 and has been in Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company’s repertoire since 1980, with Nureyev himself starring alongside Carla Fracci.

The performance of Don Quixote pays tribute to Rudolf Nureyev, marking the 80th anniversary of his birth this year and the 25th anniversary of his death.

Set to Ludwig Minkus’ magical score, audiences will be transported to a bright and enchanting Spain replete with gypsy dances, fandangos, matadors and windmills.

Audiences will be enchanted by Teatro alla Scala Principal Dancer Nicoletta Manni partnering with superstar international guest artist Leonid Sarafanov, Principal Dancer at Mikhailovsky Theatre.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas hoped audiences in Hinchinbrook would relish the once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Teatro alla Scala’s first-ever Australian visit.

“We want to ensure people across Queensland have the chance to experience this amazing international company, which is one of the most recognised cultural brands in the world, while they are in our state exclusively,” Mr Kotzas said.

“Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company 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 Don Quixote.”

Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo has said, “Being able to host the live streaming of an exclusive Teatro alla Scalla performance in our region is a great opportunity for residents to experience a world class performance without having to travel. It also has a great link and therefore celebration of the Italian heritage of our region.  This event is a commitment to ensuring access to rich Cultural events is available to all resident of the Shire. The experience of watching an internationally renowned ballet in their home town may also inspire our young performers to strive for a career in the arts industry.”

The live screening of Don Quixote is a free event and will be held on Saturday 10 November 2018 from 7.00pm. Further information regarding the venue and booking details will be published in due course. Stay up to date by following @visitTYTO on Facebook.

The 2018 QPAC International Series will see Teatro alla Scala present the iconic stage classics Don Quixote (7 to 11 and 17 November) and Giselle (14 to 16 and 18 November) at QPAC, alongside an extensive program celebrating Italian arts and culture on and off the stage.

The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, supports the 2018 QPAC International Series which features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. Your perfect next event is in Queensland where live events combine with the most incredible destinations, and life is beautiful one day, perfect the next.

The Series is also supported by Principal Partner MinterEllison, Major Partner Treasury Casino & Hotel and Major International Partner Ghella.

Tickets to the 2018 QPAC International Series are on sale now via qpac.com.au/lascala or 136 246. Travel packages are also available through the 2018 QPAC International Series Official Travel Package Provider Virgin Australia Holidays.