If, like us, you know very little about ballet, but have decided that in 2023 you want to learn more. There’s no better way to start than by heading to Bristol Hippodrome in January. The Varna International Ballet and Orchestra celebrates its 75th anniversary with a tour of the UK for the very first time.
Bulgarian tenor Peter Raycheff founded the opera house Varna State Opera in 1947, but the development of its ballet troupe belongs to Galina and Stefan Yordanov. They formed Varna Ballet and took it to the international stage, before founding the world-famous Varna International Ballet Competition in 1964. Many dancers have gained international recognition at the contest, which has been called the “Olympics of dance.”
“We are thrilled to be bringing our highly talented company of dancers and musicians to the UK for the very first time,” said Daniela Dimova, Artistic Director of Varna International Ballet and Orchestra. “We can’t wait to perform for British audiences and to bring these magical ballets to life on stage.”
Varna International Ballet and Orchestra will arrive in Bristol between January 5 to 7. The company – comprised of 40 dancers and 30 musicians – has delighted audiences both in Bulgaria and abroad with its high-quality performances for decades. So we’re excited to see the troupe bring its performances of Giselle, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker to our shores.
Swan Lake is the greatest romantic ballet of all time, brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. Giselle, meanwhile, is a chilling and often heart-rending tale of love, treachery and forgiveness from beyond the grave. While the Christmastime favourite, The Nutcracker, is the most famous fantasy ballet, fit for all the family.
The ballet company will also perform in Basingstoke, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Buxton, Darlington, Edinburgh, High Wycombe, Hull, Ipswich, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Peterborough, Reading, Southend, Wimbledon and Wolverhampton between January to March 2023.
We might not know the difference between a pirouette or a plié, a grand pas or a grand jeté. But we know this is going to be something special.
Bristol Hippodrome shows:
5 Jan – Giselle 7.30pm
6 Jan – Swan Lake 7.30pm
7 Jan – Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm
To learn more and get your tickets head here.