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THE CHRISTMAS GALA is the inaugural production of Novarts Ballet and marks the beginning of a new collaboration with Südalinna Teater.
It is part of Novarts Ballet’s vision to present two curated galas per season, each built around a unifying concept, and each bringing together guest artists from leading European ballet companies alongside the dancers of Novarts Ballet Studio Company.
This December, audiences will experience a unique programme that only features works inspired by the poetic themes of winter and Christmas.
Futaba Ishizaki and Daniele Bonelli, both soloists with the Hamburg Ballet, will perform the world-famous Barre Pas de Deux from The Nutcracker by John Neumeier, one of the most acclaimed choreographers of our time.
This lyrical duet takes place in a dance classroom, where a simple exercise transforms into a deeply expressive journey of artistic awakening between teacher and student.
From Tivoli Ballet Theatre, Anthea Van Der Ham and Anatole Blaineau will interpret an extract from The Snow Queen, based on the eponymous fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen (the same story that also inspired Disney’s global hit Frozen).
Set in an icy realm of enchantment, the work explores themes of love, loyalty and emotional distance, and carries the precious signature of Yuri Possokhov, world-renowned choreographer.
Further guests featured in the show will be announced soon.
Other numbers presented throughout the evening will be selected from the classical repertoire (The Nutcracker Pas de Deux, A Christmas Carol, Grand Pas Classique), and from the contemporary one.
These include pieces choreographed over the years by Cristiano Principato, such as the Winter Fairy solo from Cinderella, the Winter Duet from 4 Tempos (a ballet to Bach’s music and inspired by the four seasons), the duet Annunciation (depicting the biblical episode of the Virgin Mary and the Angel Gabriel), as well as a new creation specifically commissioned for this gala to Schubert’s Winterreise.
The talented members of Novarts Ballet Studio Company will also take the stage and showcase their skills in many of the works just mentioned.
As a special treat from award-winning choreographer Marina Kesler, a privileged couple from the Studio Company will perform The Blizzard Duet from Kesler's Anna Karenina.
An audience favourite for many years, this ballet is set to Shostakovich's powerful score and based on Tolstoy's legendary novel of passion, betrayal and tragedy.
And to bring the night to a magical close, we will make it snow in Tallinn — on stage, and perhaps outside too — as all the artists involved in the gala come together for Tchaikovsky’s iconic Waltz of the Snowflakes and its traditional cascade of white confetti.
The programme remains subject to possible changes due to unforeseen circumstances.​

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