World-class ballet and contemporary dance shows at Dubai Opera this November
‘Nureyev Legend & Legacy’ premieres on November 9
Art and culture lovers in the UAE are in for a world-class treat when Mosaic International Dance Fest features live performances of ‘Natalia Osipova Bloom Dance’ and ‘Nureyev Legend & Legacy’ on November 8 and 9, 2023, respectively, at the Dubai Opera.
Hosted by Dubai-based Mosaica del arte events, the inaugural Mosaic International Dance Fest in Dubai City programme comprises classical ballet masterpieces and works by world-renowned modern choreographers and dancers.
The very essence of the festival is its ability to take an extensive and comprehensive look at classical ballet and modern dance and bring the best from both worlds to audiences.
The global ballet stars performing at Mosaic International Dance Fest in Dubai City include Germain Louvet (Etoile The Paris Opera Ballet); Yonah Acosta (Principal, The Munich State Ballet); Yasmin Naghdi (Principal, The Royal Ballet); Sara Mearns and Robbie Fairchild, (Principals, The New York City Ballet); Jason Reilly, Anna Osadcenko (Principals, The Stuttgart Ballet); Alice Renavand (Etoile, The Paris Opera Ballet); Florian Magnenet (Premier Soloist Paris Opera); Lyudmila Konovalova and Davide Dato (Principals The Vienna State Ballet); Alexander Trusch and Madoka Sugai, (Principals, The Hamburg Ballet).
November 8 highlights
Mosaic Dance Fest begins on November 8 with the Dubai premiere of ‘Natalia Osipova Bloom Dance’ at Dubai Opera (Tickets: AED350-950/8pm start).
Bloom Dance Project is a captivating programme by Natalia Osipova, one of the greatest ballerinas of her generation. This programme stars Natalia in solos and duets unrivalled for their virtuosity and beauty – from all-time classics to brilliant new ballets.
Natalia Osipova partnered with Royal Ballet stars and dancers from Theatre Rambert (London) and US dancer and choreographer Jason Kittelberger for her show. Also featured in the programme are pieces by one of Natalia’s favourite contemporary choreographers, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui,
Natalia Osipova said: “It is essential for me within my company Bloom Dance Project to unite artists from different genres and art forms: neo-classical, contemporary, classical; drama theatre directors and choreographers, and together create new works with a potent mix of dancers and creative team, which inspire and promote the art of dance in its variety of forms to the broader audience.
“I am glad I can show this programme for the first time in Dubai in the framework of Mosaic Dance Fest,” Osipova added.
November 9 highlights
The second day of Mosaic Dance Fest on November 9 features ‘Nureyev Legend & Legacy’ at Dubai Opera (Tickets: AED390-1,100/8pm start), where the world’s leading ballet stars will join together to celebrate the legacy of the legendary dancer and choreographer Rudolf Nureyev in association with the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation.
Widely regarded as the most excellent ballet dancer ever, Nureyev transcended borders, and his performances popularised ballet with worldwide audiences. Nureyev’s unique artistry continues to influence and inspire ballet today.
Paying homage to the creations of Nureyev and featuring live music by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, ‘Nureyev Legend & Legacy’ will feature a dazzling array of highlights from Nureyev’s transformative career and also new pieces performed by an international cast of dancers from the most illustrious ballet companies, which include The Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Stuttgart Ballet, Ballet Zurich, the English National Ballet and others.
Video introduction
‘Nureyev Legend & Legacy’ will feature a video introduction by Dame Monica Mason, former Director of The Royal Ballet – who herself partnered with Nureyev on several occasions – and Ralph Fiennes, the acclaimed actor and filmmaker who directed and acted in The White Crow, which tells the story of Nureyev’s defection from Russia to the West.
Each piece of ‘Nureyev Legend & Legacy’ was chosen to represent a different aspect of Nureyev’s incredible life and work, from the classical repertoire, which he so cared to preserve and give new impetus, to the contemporary pieces and choreographers, paying homage to Nureyev’s desire to try new and expand his art to other forms of dance.
Royal Ballet Sinfonia
Royal Ballet Sinfonia will join the ‘Nureyev Legend & Legacy’ dancers. This collective from Birmingham, UK, is referred to as the busiest British ballet orchestra for a good reason: their track record includes touring with the world’s leading ballet companies, including Paris Opéra Ballet, New York City Ballet and San Francisco Ballet, as well as working with Pet Shop Boys on synth-pop duo’s ballet The Most Incredible Thing.
Royal Ballet Sinfonia is conducted by Gavin Sutherland, a prominent British conductor, composer and pianist, who has worked with numerous classical collectives and has made over 100 recordings in the UK and abroad.
A long-time music director of the English National Ballet, Sutherland is currently a principal guest conductor of the company, conducting regular seasons.
“You live because you dance; you dance as long as you live,” – Rudolf Nureyev (March 17, 1938 – January 6, 1993).
Featured image: Yasmine Naghdi in ‘Nureyev Legend & Legacy’. Image: Mosaic International Dance Fest
Last Updated on 11 months by Arnold Pinto
