“A Night of Enchanting Ballet: Roberto Bolle and Friends Grace the Baalbeck International Festival”

On a magnificent night, as the structures of Baalbek aligned with the tranquil city sky, the Italian ballet team presented a stunning performance on the ancient Roman Temple of Bacchus. Led by Roberto Belle, the team delivered an exceptional show, captivating the audience who applauded enthusiastically after each segment, making it an unforgettable night.

The International Baalbeck Festival opened its summer season with a ballet performance at the Temple of Jupiter in the Baalbek Citadel. The event was attended by notable dignitaries, diplomats, and artists. Among them were Judge Mohammed Wissam Al-Mortada, the Minister of Culture in the caretaker government, and Walid Nassar, the Minister of Tourism, represented by Joel Hajjar. Also in attendance were Governor of Baalbeck-Hermel Bashir Khodr and ambassadors from various countries, including Dorothy Shea from the United States, Nicoletta Bombardieri from Italy, Annikka Mokkanen from Finland, Ali Barış Ulusoy from Turkey, Ann Desmet from Sweden, Andreas Kindle from Germany, Jesús Santos Aguado from Spain, Il Park from Korea, Hans Peter van Daar Voda from the Netherlands, Katerina Vintolaki from Greece, Marion Weichelt Krupski from Switzerland, and Radu Catalin Mardar from Romania.

Nayla De Freije, the president of the Baalbeck International Festival, praised Italy’s support in restoring Baalbeck’s archaeological site. Renowned dancer Roberto Bolle performed nine captivating dance pieces with guests. De Freije highlighted Bolle’s achievements and expressed gratitude for Senator Joëlle Garriaud-Maylam’s presence. Despite challenges, the festival aims to preserve Lebanon’s cultural identity and inspire hope.

In an enchanting evening of ballet, the Baalbeck International Festival featured nine dance pieces accompanied by selected musical compositions from renowned musicians such as Astor Piazzolla, Ludovico Einaudi, Yann Tiersen, César Franck, Azio Corghi, Camille Saint-Saëns, Frank Sinatra, Alessandro, and the artist group walkSound.

Choreography was masterfully crafted by Massimiliano Volpini, Marius Petipa, Patrick de Bana, Michel Fokin, and Twyla Tharp, while Claude Broumachon, Philippe Kratz, and Mauro Bigonzetti designed the dance movements.

The performance began with the stellar dancer Roberto Bolle in the first piece, “ALMA PORTENA,” accompanied in its second segment by dancer Anna Tsigankova and violinist Alessandro Quartararo.

A mesmerizing ballet scene unfolded with “Don Quixote,” featuring the artists Lyudmila Konovalova and Bakhtiyar Adamzhan.

The third presentation, titled “The Untamed,” showcased the duo of Roberto Bolle and Travis Clausen-Knight.

The artists Yolanda Correa and Riccardo Castellanos delivered a captivating performance in the piece “Esmeralda.”

Roberto Bolle showcased his brilliance in a solo piece titled “In Your Dark Eyes.”

The audience was captivated by Lyudmila Konovalova’s portrayal of the rebellious “Dying Swan.”

The duo of Roberto Bolle and Anna Tsigankova mesmerized the audience with their performance in the piece “Sinatra Suite.”

The grand finale, choreographed by the world-renowned dancer Roberto Bolle, accompanied by the soulful violin playing of Alessandro Quartararo, was titled “The Ball.” This piece simulated the Earth, engaging in a dialogue through Bolle’s body language and culminating in a powerful lift, accompanied by the magnificent sound effects crafted by lighting designer Valerio Tiberi.

The Baalbeck International Festival delivered an extraordinary evening of ballet, featuring the mesmerizing performances of Roberto Bolle and his talented collaborators. The seamless choreography, captivating music, and breathtaking lighting effects created a memorable spectacle. This collaboration between Bolle and the festival showcased the power of art to inspire and unite people. It left an indelible mark on the festival’s history and served as a testament to the enduring spirit of cultural exchange and artistic excellence.

Note: The photo’s low quality is due to the no-camera policy, so I had to use a mobile phone camera instead.