Watch Ballet, Opera And Ice Skating At Bangkok's 21st International Festival of Dance And Music | Thailand Tatler

Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance And Music turns 21 this year and to commemorate the milestone, the Festival has secured a lineup of performances so spectacular, you’ll want to see as many shows as humanly possible this year. From artistic figure skating to drag ballet and classical opera, here are all the shows of this year’s festival: 

Turandot, Two-Acts Opera, Ekaterinburg Opera Theatre, Russia

Russia’s prestigious Ekaterinburg Opera Theatre, the nation’s oldest, is bringing Puccini’s two-act operatic masterpiece, Turandot, to life on September 11 at the Thailand Cultural Center. Lead Italian tenor Paolo Lardinzzone assumes the role of Prince Calaf, a suitor trying to win the hand of one stubborn princess, Turandot, sung by soprano Zoya Tsererina. 

Book here. 

Elena Lekhova Photography

Rusalka, Three-Acts Opera, Ekaterinburg Opera Theatre, Russia

If you can’t get enough of the Ekaterinburg Opera Theatre, or if you’re obsessed with mermaids, the Russian opera house is performing a three-act opera two days after about an immortal water nymph who falls in love with a human prince—sound familiar? Sung in Czech, Rusalka by Antonin Dvorak explores the theme of two worlds and the great divide yet fascination between them. 

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Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, New York

Performing on Monday, September 16 and the following day is not your typical ballet troupe. New York’s Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a ballet troupe comprised of only men, will be performing scenes from famous ballets, such as Swan Lake, Paquita (Monday night only) and Walpurgisnacht (Tuesday night only). If you’re one for variety, this is the ballet to watch at this year’s festival. 

Book here. 

 

La Verità, Compagnia Finzi Pasca, Switzerland

From Switzerland comes this electrifying acrobatics show that has toured 63 cities in 24 countries around the world. La Verità brings to life the surrealist paintings of Salvador Dalì through rhythmic gymnastics, as well as theatre and dance. Performed on September 21 and 22 by the Compagnia Finzi Pasca, this show is an amalgamation of art forms that shouldn’t be missed by anyone with a creative mind. 

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Swan Lake On Ice, The Imperial Ice Stars, United Kingdom

If you’ve watched Swan Lake year after year, without fail, this is one year to be especially excited for. The Imperial Ice Stars, a famed UK artistic ice skating troupe, is putting the Swan princess on a frozen lake at this year’s Dance and Music festival. Experience Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece in a whole new way, performed with daring stunts only the world’s top skaters can gracefully execute. Also, it must be mentioned that the company is bringing with them 110 costumes for this show, which will be on stage September 26 and 27. 

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Cinderella On Ice, The Imperial Ice Stars, United Kingdom

For another night of sheer magic on ice, The Imperial Ice Stars will be back on stage September 28 and 29 to perform the classic fairytale story of Cinderella. Perhaps the most involved shows on this year’s Festival’s docket, The Imperial Ice Stars not only brings with them 35 talented, theatrically-trained skaters, plus costumes, sets and equipment; they are also tasked with creating the unique stage on which they will perform—a feat that requires 14 tonnes of ices and 140 hours of assembly.  

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Lady Zhaojun, Li Yugang, China

China’s national treasure, singer Li Yugang stars as the title character of this theatrical Chinese musical directed by Li Xiaoping. Lady Zhaojun is based on the legend of Wang Zhaojun, an ancient Chinese beauty of the Han Dynasty. Embracing the art of cross-dressing performance, Li Yugang transforms himself into this character through much more than just costumes and stage effects. 

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Introdans, The Netherlands

On Friday, October 11, this contemporary ballet troupe from the Netherlands will present a diverse repertoire of modern choreography. Stripped back of the traditional meanings of theatrics, Introdans evokes just as powerful of story and emotion as any ballet programme in this Festival, relying on intricate techniques sure to move dancers in the audience.  

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Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Hungary

The Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra is this year’s exclusive pure orchestra performance. A leading Hungarian orchestra that is known for being progressive and versatile, expect tremendous passion and energy, as well as a mixture of masterpieces and contemporary favourites, on the evening of Sunday, October 13. 

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The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Esmeralda), Classical Two-Acts Ballet, The Kremlin Ballet, Russia

The ballet Esmeralda tells the story of a lonely hunchback who lives within the towers of Notre Dame. The Kremlin Ballet of Russia brings several masters of dance to tell this romantic tale of Quasimodo and a gypsy woman. And, following this year’s devastating fire, this show’s context will be especially poignant. 

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A Thousand And One Nights, Classical Two-Acts Ballet, The Kremlin Ballet, Russia

For a change of scene in the ballet programme, The Kremlin Ballet is also performing the famous Arabian folktale, A Thousand And One Nights, on Thursday, October 17. Experience a wonderfully twisted tale of romance, infidelity and drama—oh, the drama—through the expressions of some of Russia’s best ballerinas. 

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Swan Lake, Classical Two-Acts Ballet, Four Scenes, The Kremlin Ballet, Russia

If you grew up around ballet, this show needs no introduction nor reason to go watch. The International Festival of Dance and Music brings back the popular ballet, Swan Lake, performed by prestigious The Kremlin Ballet from Russia. This will be perfection to the feather. 

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Jose Carreras: Farewell Bangkok, Spain

The last show of the festival on Wednesday, October 23 will be a bittersweet one. Grammy award-winning tenor from Barcelona and one of the Three Tenors, José Carreras, is touring the world this year to give farewell performances as he announced his retirement last year. The 72-year-old has sung in countless countries over a career spanning nearly half a century and will be accompanied by soprano Celine Byrne and an orchestra conducted by David Giménez to give the performance of a lifetime. 

Book here. 

For more information, visit the Festival’s official homepage.