Prague Ballet to headline Lappeenranta Ballet Gala 2012

Fascinating interpretations, from classical ballet to rock!

The Prague National Theatre Ballet will headline the Lappeenranta Ballet Gala 2012  with a rocking performance of Rooster, a ballet based on the music of the Rolling Stones. Also starring in Lappeenranta will be the two principal dancers of the Boston Ballet, which is directed by Finnish ballet legend Mikko Nissinen.

The third annual Lappeenranta Ballet Gala will take place on the last weekend of August. As in the previous two years, the Gala is organised by NordicDance Makers in collaboration with the City of Lappeenranta.

Performances will be staged at Lappeenranta City Theatre at 7 pm on 24 August and at 2 pm and 7 pm on 25 August, 2012.

One of the leading ballet companies in Europe

Founded in 1883, the Prague Ballet is the flagship of the Czech ballet tradition and one of Europe's leading ballet companies. Its repertoire covers everything from classical and neoclassical ballet, to modern dance.

Rooster was originally created in 1991 for the Geneva Ballet. Juhani Teräsvuori, Artistic Director of the Ballet Gala, describes it as a theme for our times:

"The Lappeenranta performance of Rooster will be a rocking Saturday evening in the spirit of the swinging Sixties, but its topic – the roles of men and women – is as relevant as ever. In the twenty years since its conception, the work has gained enormous popularity around the world.”

Also in Lappeenranta, Prague Ballet will perform Déjà vu, choreographed by its Artistic Director Petr Zuska.

Zuska has received many national and international awards. More than 30 of his works have already been performed by ballet companies around the world, including Lappeenranta: the 2010 Ballet Gala featured Maria's Dream, which won the Best Choreography of The Year award in 2002. Since 2003, Zuska has been the Artistic Director of the Prague Ballet.

First collaboration with the Boston Ballet

The Gala will mark the beginning of collaboration between NordicDance Makers and the Artistic Director of the Boston Ballet, Mikko Nissinen, who will bring the company's principle dancers, Lia Cirio and James Whiteside to Lappeenranta.

"The ballet company they represent is one of the most esteemed in North America and has already been led by Nissinen for ten years", Juhani Teräsvuori comments.

The City of Lappeenranta participates in the event’s organization by offering the city theatre as the venue for the Ballet Gala and by making the necessary technical arrangements. The city also takes part in the Ballet Gala’s marketing and communications.

The programme will be further complemented during the spring. Tickets are available at the Lippupiste sales points and online shop (lippu.fi), as well as at the ticket office of Lappeenranta City Theatre. For up-to-date information on the schedule and tickets, please visit www.lappeenranta.fi/balettigaala.

Additional information

NordicDance Makers Oy

Juhani Teräsvuori, Artistic Director

Tel. +358 44 362 2202

[email protected]

Irma Salomaa-Teräsvuori, Producer

Tel. +358 50 594 1859

[email protected] 

City of Lappeenranta

Alina Kujansivu, City Clerk, Communications Manager

Tel. +358 40 724 8776

[email protected]

Eeva-Liisa Tarvainen, Communications Coordinator, Lappeenranta Ballet Gala

Tel. +358 400 553 272

[email protected]