Bolshoi comes to Brisbane: Exclusive International Arts Program Announced

Anna Bligh, (Premier of QLD) has today announced a program of exclusive performances for Brisbane, in the hope it will cement the city’s reputation as a dynamic arts and cultural hub.

Anna Bligh, (Premier of QLD) has today announced a program of exclusive performances for Brisbane, in the hope it will cement the city’s reputation as a dynamic arts and cultural hub. A specially formed partnership between the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and Events Queensland has enabled the sunshine state to curate an international arts series, bringing some of the world’s finest arts companies to QPAC over the next few years.  The QPAC International Series announcement could not come at a better time – the is city a-buzz with ‘Arts Fever’ following the recent success of the Brisbane Festival, which wrapped up just days ago.  Set to draw national and international attention to Brisbane over the next four years, the QPAC International Series kicks off in 2012 with a series of performances by the Hamburg Ballet, Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra and Hamburg State Opera. 
“This will be the first time any of these companies have ever performed in Australia and they are making their debut right here in Brisbane – and Brisbane only – which is a real coup”, Ms Bligh said today.  The Hamburg Philharmonic will be led by internationally renowned Australian conductor Simone Young. Ms Young will conduct the performance of Mahler’s mighty Symphony No. 2, known as the Resurrection Symphony which will feature soloists from the Hamburg State Opera. Ms Young will also conduct the Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra and Hamburg State Opera in two concert performances of Das Rheingold, the opening opera in Richard Wagner’s greatest work, The Ring Cycle. In 2000 in Vienna, Ms Young made musical history when she became the first woman ever to conduct the complete Ring Cycle. The the world-famous Hamburg Ballet company will premiere two works in Brisbane next year; Nijinsky and A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The orchestra for the performances of Midsummer Night’s Dream will be the Queensland Symphony orchestra under the direction of young Brisbane-born conductor Simon Hewett who is Hamburg Ballet’s resident conductor and is shaping an international career in both ballet and opera.
The International series will continue to bring exclusive performances to Brisbane, including Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet, who have not performed in Brisbane since 1987. Describing the company as “one of the most sought after ballet companies in the world”, Ms Bligh is hopeful that the calibre of companies, performers and repertoire in QPAC’s International Series will attract audiences from around Australia and internationally. They certainly will be must-see events on the national performing arts calendar.
QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said the QPAC International Series would build on the Centre’s recent successes and would continue the relationship with arts impresarios Leo Schofield AM and Ian McRae AO.
“QPAC has grown its international standing as a performing arts centre and that has been underpinned by our programs, growing commercial reputation and technical expertise,” Mr Kotzas said.
Mr Kotzas also said that the QPAC International Series would not only bring performances from the world’s best performing artists to Brisbane, but also generate a curated program of classes, talks and related activities.
To find out more about great events coming up on the Queensland calendar visit www.eventsqld.com.au Photo 1: Bolshoi Dancer Svetlana Zakharova Photo by: Yelena Fetisova  Photo 2: QPAC by nightSupplied