SEASON OPENING GALA

With his eyes set firmly on the future and a profound respect for tradition, Artistic Director Leo Sorribes presents the Season Opening Gala: the event that, from this day forward, will mark the beginning of each Ballet de Catalunya season. This inaugural edition is not merely the start of an artistic cycle, but the birth of a tradition—one that aspires to grow and endure year after year.

The evening will open with the Défilé, a solemn and emblematic moment in which the School, the Trainee group, and the Company unite on stage. From the youngest students to the principal dancers, all will march together in a single choreography, creating a powerful image of unity, belonging, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

The program will begin with a historic milestone for the Company: Tarantella by George Balanchine, entering our repertoire for the very first time. This inclusion marks a decisive step in our artistic journey and stands as a testament to our growing international profile.

The evening will then immerse the audience in the vibrant and epic world of Le Corsaire, presented through a carefully chosen selection of its most iconic pas: the Pas d’Esclave, the Pas de Trois of the Odalisques, the Pas de Deux de la Cueva, and the Grand Pas de Deux. This final pas will be danced by two exceptional guest artists: Pau Pujol, First Soloist with Philadelphia Ballet and a Catalan talent who was the recipient of the IBStage Scholarship for three consecutive years at the IBStage International Summer Program, and Gaby Mesa, Demi-Soloist with the same company. Their presence not only adds brilliance to the evening but embodies the spirit of this gala: to serve as a bridge between Ballet de Catalunya and the Catalan talent that has sought professional opportunities beyond our borders.

After a thirty-minute intermission, the second part will lead us into the realm of contemporary creation. It will open with Since I Fell with You, choreographed by Katarzyna Kozielska, followed by Elogio a la Danza by Valérie Lacaze, then a refined and lyrical pas de deux. The gala will conclude with Fast Avance, created by Leo Sorribes himself—a work that distills the energy, dynamism, and forward-looking spirit that define our artistic identity.

As an essential part of this inaugural edition, the audience will also be invited to a special talk offered by the Ballet de Catalunya team. This will be a moment to reflect on our educational and community mission, and to introduce the new programs that will be developed under the direction of Elías García, head of the Department of Education and Community Engagement, with the goal of bringing dance beyond the stage and closer to all audiences.

The Season Opening Gala not only launches a season—it inaugurates a legacy. A night to celebrate the art form in all its grandeur, to reconnect with our roots, and to remember that when the curtain rises, something far deeper than a performance begins: a tradition that unites past, present, and future.