The “Balanchine’s Legacy” International Ballet Gala, which will take place on February 11, 2026, at Sala Palatului, announces the surprise presence in the gala cast of two prima ballerinas from the famous Teatro La Scala in Milan, the legendary Virna Toppi and Nicola Del Freo.
The two, who will dance “Emeralds”, the first part of the famous ballet Jewels by George Balanchine, thus join an exceptional cast, consisting of prima ballerinas from the Opera Garnier in Paris, New York City Ballet, Houston Ballet and Royal Danish Ballet. The organizers announce special tickets on the occasion of Valentine’s Day.
Tickets can be bought HERE
Virna Toppi and Nicola Del Freo (La Scala Theater in Milan)
Partners both on stage and in real life, the two form one of the most admired couples of contemporary European ballet. Their appearances are rare and carefully chosen, and their performance in “Emeralds” is considered a Balanchine style landmark. Their natural elegance, stylistic refinement and deep chemistry between them transforms each appearance into an artistic experience full of emotion and elegance.
Their premiere in Bucharest, in an extremely demanding repertoire, is an exceptional event that brings first-rate art to a Romanian stage, at the standards of the La Scala Theater in Milan.
Created to the music of Gabriel Fauré, “Emeralds” is a tribute to the French school of ballet. Lyrical, refined and aristocratic, “Emeralds” is a choreography that demands technical perfection, artistic maturity and a nobility of movement that only dancers of the highest level can sustain.
“Fall in love with ballet, for two!”, Valentine’s Day campaign
The organizers announce a special campaign, “Fall in love with ballet, two!”, on the occasion of Valentine’s Day, through which those who want to come with their loved one to the International Ballet Gala “Balanchine’s Legacy” pay for one ticket and receive the second one as a gift. The mechanism is simple: those who wish will select two tickets and pay only one. The second is a gift.
The campaign is valid until January 29, within the limits of available seats, for the purchase of Category II tickets. Check availability here: https://h7.cl/1nsd9
A reference event for Romania
The “Balanchine’s Legacy” International Ballet Gala is a unique event in the Romanian cultural landscape, realized in strict compliance with the rules imposed by the style, under the close supervision of the George Balanchine Trust.
The program consists exclusively of original George Balanchine choreographies, performed by dancers who must already have this repertoire active on the great stages of the world. In addition to “Emeralds”, the audience at Sala Palatului will be able to see some of the most relevant moments from Balanchine’s creation, including “Rubies” (to the music of Igor Stravinsky).
Sara Mearns and Tyler Angle, principal ballerinas of the New York City Ballet, will dance “Diamonds” and “Cortège Hongrois,” works emblematic of the Balanchine style: imperial splendor, scale and feminine strength. “Diamonds” is a tribute to Russian tradition, reinterpreted in the neoclassical Balanchine key, while “Cortège Hongrois” captures the dynamism and contrast between elegance and pure energy.
Hannah O’Neill and Germain Louvet, principal ballerinas at the Opéra Garnier in Paris, will perform “Who Cares?” and “Sonatine,” a dialogue between ballet and the spirit of American music. “Who Cares?”, to the music of George Gershwin, brings to the stage the freedom, urban rhythm and modernity of New York, while “Sonatine” impresses with its clarity, musicality and absolute precision.
Houston Ballet principal ballerinas Karina González and Angelo Greco will dance “Rubies,” to music by Igor Stravinsky and “Theme and Variations” by PI Tchaikovsky. Rubies is one of Balanchine’s most electrifying creations: explosive, playful, full of energy and contemporary spirit. “Theme and Variations” is the opposite: a complementary creation, a demonstration of classical virtuosity, rigor and pomp.
Caroline Baldwin and Alban Lendorf (of the Royal Danish Ballet) will dance “Apollo. Pas de deux”. Created in 1928, “Apollo” is considered the birth act of modern ballet. Interpretation of this pas de deux it is reserved only for artists with a deep understanding of Balanchine’s style. The moment is prepared under the guidance of maestro Nikolaj Hübbe, former artistic director of the Royal Danish Ballet and current member of the Balanchine Trust.
About Ars Gratia Regalia
The International Ballet Gala “Balanchine’s Legacy” has Philip Morris Romania as its main sponsor and is organized under the Ars Gratia Regalia brand, known for premium cultural events, which bring to Romania some of the best artists such as Natalia Osipova, prima ballerina at The Royal Opera House, Iana Salenko, prima ballerina at the Staatsballett Berlin, Recee Clarke and Yasmine Naghdi (The Royal Ballet), Julian MacKay and Madison Young (Bayerische Stattsballett), Francesca Velicu (English National Ballet).
