Featuring the globally renowned ballet superstar

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 27 December 2021:  Abu Dhabi Festival in its 19th edition, held under the theme ‘Crafting the Emirates State of Mind: Creation, Innovation and Joy’, and in partnership with Embassy of Italy to the UAE, presents Roberto Bolle and Friends, a UAE premiere ballet gala by superstar Roberto Bolle at the Emirates Palace Auditorium in Abu Dhabi on January 9, 2022.

Her Excellency Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival said, “For nearly two decades, Abu Dhabi Festival has been a home of the leading stars in ballet. As we continue with this edition’s line-up of performances, we are proud to present Roberto Bolle to the capital in an exceptional ballet gala, including The Nutcracker, Dorian Gray and The Talisman, and share the beauty of this incredible dancer’s talent, his technical skill and unique artistic expression to Abu Dhabi’s audience. Bringing internationally renowned artists and performers to Abu Dhabi remains at the heart of the Festival, and this ballet gala with Roberto Bolle exemplifies our mission.”

H.E. Nicola Lener, Ambassador of Italy to the UAE, said: “Ballet traces its origins to the Italian Renaissance and continues to be part of our cultural life. Roberto Bolle, the first dancer in the world to be both Étoile of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan and Principal Dancer of the American Ballet Theatre in New York, has been indeed the first artist to turn dance into a tool to foster dialogue and mutual understanding among people from different backgrounds and social classes. 

Thanks to the fruitful collaboration with ADMAF, the Embassy of Italy is glad to offer to the Abu Dhabi public a wonderful Ballet Gala performed by Roberto Bolle & Friends. This event will provide the unique occasion to enjoy the performance of some of the most famous dancers in the world, who will feature a selection of the most beautiful ballets from the 19th and 20th. I am sure that it will be an amazing evening for the Abu Dhabi thriving cultural life”.

Roberto Bolle, a superstar of ballet and the first Italian dancer to be invited to perform at the Metropolitan Opera with the greatest dancers of our time, showcases the breadth of his talent and skill in a variety of pieces, from classical ballet to contemporary dance.

In this performance, taking place at the Emirates Palace Auditorium in Abu Dhabi, Bolle invites 5 world-famous étoilesto dance with him on the Abu Dhabi Festival stage. The gala will feature 9 ballet dances including: Two, The Talisman, Kazimir’s Colours, The Nutcracker, Waves, Giselle – Pas de deux from Act II, Thaïs, Don Quixote – Pas de deux Act III, and Dorian Gray.

Commenting on the gala performance, Bolle said “It is a great honor to represent Italy with my gala “Roberto Bolle and Friends” here in Abu Dhabi, a great pleasure to be here for the first time! I am happy and proud to bring Italian art and culture once again beyond the borders, and to be able to show the beauty and communicative power of the dance, universal language that unites people and cultures all over the world”.

The 19th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival 2022 is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan and supported by Lead Partner Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) and Energy Partner GS Energy. Abu Dhabi Festival 2022 encompasses over 1,000 participating artists from around the world to present more than 300 performances and events. The 19th edition will also include two world tours and 17 world premieres.

The 2022 Abu Dhabi Festival programme is part of the contribution that the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation makes to the UAE capital’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music.