في السابع عشر من أبريل عام ٢٠٢٦، ستتحول مدينة أبوظبي الساحرة إلى مركز عالمي لفن الباليه، حيث تستضيف فرقة الباليه الأمريكية في قاعة قصر الإمارات المهيبة، ضمن فعاليات مهرجان أبوظبي المرموق. ستكون أمسية ساحرة لا تُفوَّت لعشاق الرقص، سواءً المقيمين في المدينة أو المسافرين إليها للاستمتاع بواحدة من أعرق فرق الباليه في العالم، في عرض ثلاثي استثنائي.
On April 17, 2026, the dazzling city of Abu Dhabi will become the world epicenter of ballet as it welcomes American Ballet Theatre to the majestic Emirates Palace Auditorium, as part of the prestigious Abu Dhabi Festival. It will be a magical evening, a must-see for dance lovers who live in the city or travel to this fascinating destination to enjoy one of the world's most prestigious companies in a truly extraordinary triple bill.
Abu Dhabi: A City from a Dream
Abu Dhabi is a city that seems to have sprung from the pages of One Thousand and One Nights, but reinterpreted with the architectural boldness of the 21st century. Its skyscrapers, each more impressive than the last, create a sophisticated and futuristic cityscape. Wide avenues, high-rise office and apartment buildings, vibrant shopping malls, and exquisitely designed architecture make the capital of the United Arab Emirates the perfect setting for a cultural event of this magnitude.
Strolling along The Corniche, with its endless views of the Persian Gulf and its meticulously manicured gardens, is an almost poetic experience, especially under the clear, luminous skies that characterize its spring-like climate. In April, the weather is simply divine: warm but pleasant temperatures, gentle breezes at sunset, and clear skies that bathe the city in an incomparable golden light.
Along Sheikh Zayed Street, Airport Road, and Hamdan Street, modernity vibrates with intensity, while the traditional souks and Emirati hospitality evoke the region's rich cultural heritage. The cuisine is another sensory journey: aromatic spices, sweet dates, Arabic coffee scented with cardamom, traditional dishes like machbous and harees, alongside a world-class international selection. Everything invites enjoyment, discovery, and relaxation.
A Legendary Company on an Exceptional Stage
American Ballet Theatre's performance in Abu Dhabi is a truly momentous event. Founded in 1940, this company is recognized as “America’s National Ballet Company” and is celebrated for its unique combination of classical tradition, technical virtuosity, and openness to contemporary creation. Its cast comprises soloists, principals, and international stars whose artistic excellence has graced the world’s most prestigious stages.
In this special performance, the audience will enjoy a triple bill featuring three gems from the repertoire, contrasting in style and character, showcasing the company’s versatility and artistic depth.
Theme and Variations
Choreography by George Balanchine
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Theme and Variations is a tribute to the splendor of the Russian imperial ballet. Set to music from the final movement of Tchaikovsky’s Orchestral Suite No. 3, the work is a celebration of classical virtuosity and formal elegance.
The exquisite central adagio is a moment of pure musical and choreographic poetry: long lines, sustained balances, flawless turns, and a musicality that seems to float above the orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s luminous and expansive score envelops the stage in an atmosphere of romantic grandeur.
The work demands bravura from both the principal duo and the ensemble of 24 dancers, who weave intricate choreographic patterns with pinpoint precision. It is a visual and musical feast, a demonstration of the technical mastery and majesty that characterize ABT.
Serenade after Plato’s Symposium
Choreography by Alexei Ratmansky
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Inspired by Plato’s philosophical text, this work is an abstract and profoundly intellectual exploration of love as a path to truth and beauty. Bernstein composed his 1954 violin concerto based on the Symposium, and Ratmansky translates that philosophical conversation into movement.
Predominantly male, the choreography conveys camaraderie, energy, and constant dialogue. The dancers enter and exit the formations as if exchanging ideas in a lively debate. The climax arrives with the appearance of Diotima, whose presence and bold leaps symbolize the “ladder of love,” an ascent from earthly passion to a purer, more spiritual form.
It is a challenging and moving piece, revealing another facet of ABT’s repertoire: its commitment to conceptual depth and innovation.
Rayonda: Grand Pas Hongrois
Choreography by Marius Petipa, staged by Susan Jaffe
Music by Alexander Glazunov
The evening’s finale is a pure classical celebration. Raymonda’s Grand Pas Hongrois represents ballet at its most brilliant and refined. Premiered in 1898 in St. Petersburg, the ballet was one of the greatest successes of Petipa, the undisputed master of classicism.
Glazunov's music is simply magnificent: rich, melodic, and vibrant, it evokes Hungarian landscapes with radiant orchestration. Each variation allows the soloists to showcase their technique, elegance, and personality. The pas de deux are filled with technical difficulty and moments of lyricism, while the corps de ballet adds splendor and dynamism.
Hearing this music with this ballet dancers, with its intensity and vibrancy, is an uplifting experience that underscores the magic of classical ballet.
A Night to Dream
In the sophisticated and luminous atmosphere of Abu Dhabi, surrounded by spectacular architecture, exquisite cuisine, and legendary hospitality, attending this performance will be much more than going to the theater: it will be a complete experience.
On April 17, 2026, the Emirates Palace Auditorium will be transformed into a temple of dance, where the stars, principals, and soloists of American Ballet Theatre will display their artistry in a magical program.
For ballet lovers, it will be an unrepeatable delight. For those traveling to the city for this purpose, it's a dream come true. And for Abu Dhabi, it's a bright new chapter in its vibrant cultural life.
On April 17, 2026, audiences in Abu Dhabi will have the rare privilege of witnessing one of the world’s most celebrated ballet companies, American Ballet Theatre, in the magnificent setting of the Emirates Palace Auditorium, as part of the distinguished Abu Dhabi Festival. It will not merely be an evening at the theatre, but a moment of artistic distinction—an encounter with excellence that few cities in the world are fortunate enough to experience.
For the citizens of Abu Dhabi, and for visitors who travel to the Emirati capital for this extraordinary event, this triple bill offers something truly exceptional: the opportunity to see the principal dancers, soloists, and rising stars of ABT perform three masterpieces that span the grandeur of classical tradition and the intellectual depth of modern ballet.
A Company of Stars on a Grand Stage
American Ballet Theatre is synonymous with artistic prestige. For decades, its dancers have set the standard for technical brilliance, dramatic nuance, and stylistic versatility. To see these artists live—at the height of their powers—is a privilege that elevates any cultural season.
The Emirates Palace Auditorium, with its opulent architecture and refined acoustics, provides a setting worthy of such brilliance. The golden interiors and majestic atmosphere echo the splendour of the great opera houses of Europe, making it the perfect stage for a program that celebrates the full spectrum of ballet artistry.
This triple bill has been carefully chosen to showcase the range of ABT’s dancers: classical purity, neoclassical sophistication, and philosophical contemporary expression. Each ballet reveals different facets of the company’s strength—and allows the audience to discover the individuality of its leading artists.
Theme and Variations
Choreography by George Balanchine
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Balanchine’s Theme and Variations is a glittering homage to the imperial Russian ballet tradition. Set to the final movement of Tchaikovsky’s Orchestral Suite No. 3, it is a work of majestic formality and breathtaking technical demand.
From the first measures of Tchaikovsky’s luminous score, the audience is drawn into a world of classical splendour. The celebrated adagio for the principal couple is one of the most exquisite passages in the repertoire: expansive lines, sustained balances, intricate partnering, and an almost sculptural sense of poise. The music unfolds with richness and warmth, and the choreography responds with crystalline precision.
For ABT’s leading dancers, this ballet is both a challenge and a triumph. It calls for regal authority, flawless technique, and musical sensitivity. The 24-member ensemble creates an intricate tapestry of movement—patterns that seem endless in their complexity and beauty. To see ABT’s stars inhabit this masterpiece in Abu Dhabi is to witness classical ballet at its most resplendent.
Serenade after Plato’s Symposium
Choreography by Alexei Ratmansky
Music by Leonard Bernstein
If Theme and Variations embodies imperial grandeur, Serenade after Plato’s Symposium represents intellectual and emotional exploration. Ratmansky’s choreography, set to Bernstein’s Violin Concerto inspired by Plato, transforms philosophical discourse into movement.
The ballet is predominantly male, offering a rare opportunity to see ABT’s male principals and soloists in roles that demand both athletic power and psychological nuance. The choreography pulses with camaraderie and dynamism. Dancers move in and out of formations as if exchanging ideas in animated debate, their steps reflecting the shifting themes of love described in Plato’s text.
Bernstein’s score is vibrant, rhythmically complex, and emotionally charged. Ratmansky responds with choreography that is at once cerebral and deeply human. The climactic appearance of Diotima—lifted heavenward in soaring, ambitious phrases—becomes a metaphor for love’s ascent from earthly passion to spiritual enlightenment.
For audiences in Abu Dhabi, this ballet offers something rare: a contemporary masterpiece interpreted by artists of the highest calibre. It reveals the versatility of ABT’s dancers and their ability to inhabit roles that are at once abstract and profoundly expressive.
Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois
Choreography by Marius Petipa, staged by Susan Jaffe
Music by Alexander Glazunov
The evening concludes with a blaze of classical brilliance: the Grand Pas Hongrois from Raymonda. This is Petipa at his most magnificent—a celebration of virtuosity, elegance, and theatrical splendour.
Glazunov’s radiant score fills the auditorium with warmth and grandeur. The Hungarian-inflected melodies shimmer with colour, and the orchestration provides a sumptuous foundation for the dancers’ artistry. There is something almost ceremonial about this music; it carries the audience into a world of celebration and refinement.
The choreography allows each soloist to shine. Variations sparkle with intricate footwork and commanding turns. The principal couple must combine technical fearlessness with aristocratic grace. Every entrance, every pose, every musical accent becomes an opportunity for ABT’s stars to display their individuality.
For the audience in Abu Dhabi, it will be thrilling to witness these artists—internationally acclaimed and admired across the globe—bringing Petipa’s masterpiece to life in such an opulent setting.
A Privileged Moment for Abu Dhabi
To host American Ballet Theatre is a mark of cultural distinction. The citizens of Abu Dhabi are truly fortunate to experience, on their own stage, a company whose dancers regularly perform in the world’s greatest theatres.
This program is not simply a performance—it is a celebration of ballet’s past, present, and future. It allows audiences to admire the classical legacy of Petipa and Balanchine, to reflect on the philosophical modernity of Ratmansky, and above all to discover the extraordinary talent of ABT’s principals and soloists.
On April 17, 2026, the Emirates Palace Auditorium will glow not only with architectural splendour but with the brilliance of artists at the peak of their art. For lovers of ballet in Abu Dhabi—and for those who journey there to attend—this promises to be an unforgettable evening of magic, mastery, and pure artistic delight.
Le 17 avril 2026, la ville scintillante d'Abu Dhabi deviendra l'épicentre mondial du ballet en accueillant l'American Ballet Theatre au majestueux Emirates Palace Auditorium, dans le cadre du prestigieux Festival d'Abu Dhabi. Ce sera une soirée magique, un événement incontournable pour les passionnés de danse, qu'ils résident à Abu Dhabi ou qu'ils aient fait le voyage jusqu'à cette destination fascinante pour admirer l'une des compagnies les plus prestigieuses au monde dans un programme triple exceptionnel.
Abu Dhabi : Une ville de rêve
Abu Dhabi semble tout droit sortie des Mille et Une Nuits, réinterprétée avec l'audace architecturale du XXIe siècle. Ses gratte-ciel, tous plus impressionnants les uns que les autres, composent un paysage urbain sophistiqué et futuriste. Larges avenues, immeubles de bureaux et d'appartements de grande hauteur, centres commerciaux animés et architecture raffinée font de la capitale des Émirats arabes unis le cadre idéal pour un événement culturel de cette envergure.
Se promener sur la Corniche, avec ses vues imprenables sur le golfe Persique et ses jardins impeccablement entretenus, est une expérience presque poétique, surtout sous le ciel clair et lumineux qui caractérise son climat printanier. En avril, le temps est tout simplement divin : des températures douces et agréables, une brise légère au coucher du soleil et un ciel limpide qui baigne la ville d’une lumière dorée incomparable.
Le long des rues Sheikh Zayed, Airport Road et Hamdan, la modernité vibre d’une intense énergie, tandis que les souks traditionnels et l’hospitalité émiratie témoignent du riche patrimoine culturel de la région. La gastronomie est un autre voyage pour les sens : épices aromatiques, dattes sucrées, café arabe parfumé à la cardamome, plats traditionnels comme le machbous et le harees, sans oublier une sélection internationale de premier ordre. Tout invite au plaisir, à la découverte et à la détente.
Une compagnie légendaire sur une scène exceptionnelle
La représentation de l’American Ballet Theatre à Abou Dhabi est un événement véritablement mémorable. Fondée en 1940, cette compagnie est reconnue comme la « Compagnie nationale de ballet des États-Unis » et célèbre pour son alliance unique de tradition classique, de virtuosité technique et d'ouverture à la création contemporaine. Sa troupe comprend des solistes, des danseurs étoiles et des artistes internationaux dont l'excellence artistique a illuminé les scènes les plus prestigieuses du monde.
Lors de ce spectacle exceptionnel, le public appréciera un programme triple présentant trois joyaux du répertoire, contrastant par leur style et leur caractère, et illustrant la polyvalence et la profondeur artistique de la compagnie.
Thème et Variations
Chorégraphie de George Balanchine
Musique de Piotr Ilitch Tchaïkovski
Thème et Variations est un hommage à la splendeur du ballet impérial russe. Sur la musique du dernier mouvement de la Suite orchestrale n° 3 de Tchaïkovski, l'œuvre célèbre la virtuosité classique et l'élégance formelle.
L'adagio central, d'une beauté exquise, est un moment de pure poésie musicale et chorégraphique : des lignes élancées, des équilibres soutenus, des pirouettes impeccables et une musicalité qui semble planer au-dessus de l'orchestre. La partition lumineuse et ample de Tchaïkovski enveloppe la scène d'une atmosphère de grandeur romantique.
L'œuvre exige une virtuosité exceptionnelle tant du duo principal que de l'ensemble des 24 danseurs, qui tissent des motifs chorégraphiques complexes avec une précision chirurgicale. C'est un véritable festin visuel et musical, une démonstration de la maîtrise technique et de la majesté qui caractérisent l'ABT.
Sérénade d'après le Banquet de Platon
Chorégraphie d'Alexei Ratmansky
Musique de Leonard Bernstein
Inspirée du texte philosophique de Platon, cette œuvre est une exploration abstraite et profondément intellectuelle de l'amour comme chemin vers la vérité et la beauté. Bernstein a composé son concerto pour violon de 1954 à partir du Banquet, et Ratmansky traduit ce dialogue philosophique en mouvement.
Majoritairement masculine, la chorégraphie traduit la camaraderie, l'énergie et un dialogue constant. Les danseurs entrent et sortent des formations comme s'ils échangeaient des idées dans un débat animé. Le point culminant est atteint avec l'apparition de Diotima, dont la présence et les sauts audacieux symbolisent « l'échelle de l'amour », une ascension de la passion terrestre vers une forme plus pure et plus spirituelle.
C'est une œuvre exigeante et émouvante, révélant une autre facette du répertoire de l'ABT : son engagement envers la profondeur conceptuelle et l'innovation.
Rayonda : Grand Pas Hongrois
Chorégraphie de Marius Petipa, mise en scène de Susan Jaffe
Musique d'Alexander Glazunov
Le final de la soirée est une pure célébration classique. Le Grand Pas Hongrois de Raymonda représente le ballet dans ce qu'il a de plus brillant et de plus raffiné. Créé en 1898 à Saint-Pétersbourg, ce ballet fut l'un des plus grands succès de Petipa, le maître incontesté du classicisme.
El próximo 17 de abril de 2026, la deslumbrante ciudad de Abu Dhabi se convertirá en el epicentro mundial del ballet al recibir a American Ballet Theatre en el majestuoso Emirates Palace Auditorium, dentro del prestigioso Abu Dhabi Festival. Será una velada mágica, una cita imprescindible para los amantes de la danza que vivan en la ciudad o viajen hasta este destino fascinante para disfrutar de una de las compañías más prestigiosas del mundo en un programa triple verdaderamente extraordinario.
Abu Dhabi es una ciudad que parece surgir de las páginas de Las mil y una noches, pero reinterpretada con la audacia arquitectónica del siglo XXI. Sus rascacielos, cada cual más impresionante, dibujan un perfil urbano sofisticado y futurista. Amplias avenidas, edificios de oficinas y apartamentos de gran altura, centros comerciales vibrantes y una arquitectura de diseño exquisito convierten la capital de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos en un escenario perfecto para un acontecimiento cultural de esta magnitud.
Pasear por The Corniche, con sus vistas infinitas al Golfo Pérsico y sus jardines cuidados al detalle, es una experiencia casi poética, especialmente bajo el cielo claro y luminoso que caracteriza su clima primaveral. En abril, el tiempo es sencillamente divino: temperaturas cálidas pero agradables, brisas suaves al atardecer y cielos despejados que tiñen la ciudad de una luz dorada incomparable.
A lo largo de Sheikh Zayed Street, Airport Road y Hamdan Street, la modernidad vibra con intensidad, mientras que los zocos tradicionales y la hospitalidad emiratí evocan la rica herencia cultural de la región. La gastronomía es otro viaje sensorial: especias aromáticas, dátiles dulces, café árabe perfumado con cardamomo, platos tradicionales como el machbous o el harees, junto a una oferta internacional de altísimo nivel. Todo invita al disfrute, al descubrimiento y al sueño.
Una Compañía Legendaria en un Escenario Excepcional
Que American Ballet Theatre se presente en Abu Dhabi es un acontecimiento de primer orden. Fundada en 1940, esta compañía es reconocida como “America’s National Ballet Company” y es célebre por su combinación única de tradición clásica, virtuosismo técnico y apertura a la creación contemporánea. Su elenco está formado por solistas, principales y estrellas internacionales cuya excelencia artística ha conquistado los escenarios más importantes del mundo.
En esta función especial, el público podrá disfrutar de un triple bill que reúne tres joyas del repertorio, contrastadas en estilo y carácter, que exhiben la versatilidad y profundidad artística de la compañía.
Theme and Variations
Theme and Variations es un homenaje al esplendor del ballet imperial ruso. Con música del movimiento final de la Suite Orquestal No. 3 de Tchaikovsky, la obra es una celebración del virtuosismo clásico y la elegancia formal.
El delicioso adagio central es un momento de pura poesía musical y coreográfica: líneas largas, equilibrios sostenidos, giros impecables y una musicalidad que parece flotar sobre la orquesta. La partitura de Tchaikovsky, luminosa y expansiva, envuelve el escenario en una atmósfera de grandeza romántica.
La obra exige bravura tanto del dúo principal como del conjunto de 24 bailarines, que tejen intrincados patrones coreográficos con precisión milimétrica. Es un festín visual y musical, una demostración del dominio técnico y la majestuosidad que caracterizan a ABT.
Serenade after Plato’s Symposium
Inspirada en el texto filosófico de Plato, esta obra es una exploración abstracta y profundamente intelectual del amor como camino hacia la verdad y la belleza. Bernstein compuso en 1954 su concierto para violín basándose en el Symposium, y Ratmansky traduce esa conversación filosófica en movimiento.
Predominantemente masculina, la coreografía transmite camaradería, energía y diálogo constante. Los bailarines entran y salen de las formaciones como si intercambiaran ideas en un animado debate. El clímax llega con la aparición de Diotima, cuya presencia y elevaciones audaces simbolizan la “escalera del amor”, un ascenso desde la pasión terrenal hacia una forma más pura y espiritual.
Es una pieza que desafía y conmueve, revelando otra faceta del repertorio de ABT: su compromiso con la profundidad conceptual y la innovación.
Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois
Music by Alexander Glazunov
El cierre de la velada es pura celebración clásica. El Grand Pas Hongrois de Raymonda representa el ballet en su forma más brillante y refinada. Estrenado en 1898 en San Petersburgo, el ballet fue uno de los grandes éxitos de Petipa, maestro indiscutible del clasicismo.
La música de Glazunov es simplemente maravillosa: rica, melódica y vibrante, evoca paisajes húngaros con una orquestación radiante. Cada variación permite a los solistas desplegar técnica, elegancia y personalidad. Los pas de deux están llenos de dificultad técnica y momentos de lirismo, mientras el cuerpo de baile aporta esplendor y dinamismo.
Escuchar esta música en vivo, con su intensidad y colorido, es una experiencia que eleva el espíritu y subraya la magia del ballet clásico.
Una Noche para Soñar
En la atmósfera sofisticada y luminosa de Abu Dhabi, rodeados de arquitectura espectacular, gastronomía exquisita y hospitalidad legendaria, asistir a esta función será mucho más que ir al teatro: será vivir una experiencia total.
El 17 de abril de 2026, el Emirates Palace Auditorium se transformará en un templo de la danza, donde las estrellas, los principales y los solistas de American Ballet Theatre desplegarán todo su arte en un programa mágico.
Para los amantes del ballet, será una delicia irrepetible. Para quienes viajen a la ciudad con este propósito, un sueño cumplido. Y para Abu Dhabi, una nueva página brillante en su vibrante vida cultural.
On April 17, 2026, the dazzling city of Abu Dhabi will become the world epicenter of ballet as it welcomes American Ballet Theatre to the majestic Emirates Palace Auditorium, as part of the prestigious Abu Dhabi Festival. It will be a magical evening, a must-see for dance lovers who live in the city or travel to this fascinating destination to enjoy one of the world's most prestigious companies in a truly extraordinary triple bill.
Abu Dhabi: A City from a Dream
Abu Dhabi is a city that seems to have sprung from the pages of One Thousand and One Nights, but reinterpreted with the architectural boldness of the 21st century. Its skyscrapers, each more impressive than the last, create a sophisticated and futuristic cityscape. Wide avenues, high-rise office and apartment buildings, vibrant shopping malls, and exquisitely designed architecture make the capital of the United Arab Emirates the perfect setting for a cultural event of this magnitude.
Strolling along The Corniche, with its endless views of the Persian Gulf and its meticulously manicured gardens, is an almost poetic experience, especially under the clear, luminous skies that characterize its spring-like climate. In April, the weather is simply divine: warm but pleasant temperatures, gentle breezes at sunset, and clear skies that bathe the city in an incomparable golden light.
Along Sheikh Zayed Street, Airport Road, and Hamdan Street, modernity vibrates with intensity, while the traditional souks and Emirati hospitality evoke the region's rich cultural heritage. The cuisine is another sensory journey: aromatic spices, sweet dates, Arabic coffee scented with cardamom, traditional dishes like machbous and harees, alongside a world-class international selection. Everything invites enjoyment, discovery, and relaxation.
A Legendary Company on an Exceptional Stage
American Ballet Theatre's performance in Abu Dhabi is a truly momentous event. Founded in 1940, this company is recognized as “America’s National Ballet Company” and is celebrated for its unique combination of classical tradition, technical virtuosity, and openness to contemporary creation. Its cast comprises soloists, principals, and international stars whose artistic excellence has graced the world’s most prestigious stages.
In this special performance, the audience will enjoy a triple bill featuring three gems from the repertoire, contrasting in style and character, showcasing the company’s versatility and artistic depth.
Theme and Variations
Choreography by George Balanchine
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Theme and Variations is a tribute to the splendor of the Russian imperial ballet. Set to music from the final movement of Tchaikovsky’s Orchestral Suite No. 3, the work is a celebration of classical virtuosity and formal elegance.
The exquisite central adagio is a moment of pure musical and choreographic poetry: long lines, sustained balances, flawless turns, and a musicality that seems to float above the orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s luminous and expansive score envelops the stage in an atmosphere of romantic grandeur.
The work demands bravura from both the principal duo and the ensemble of 24 dancers, who weave intricate choreographic patterns with pinpoint precision. It is a visual and musical feast, a demonstration of the technical mastery and majesty that characterize ABT.
Serenade after Plato’s Symposium
Choreography by Alexei Ratmansky
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Inspired by Plato’s philosophical text, this work is an abstract and profoundly intellectual exploration of love as a path to truth and beauty. Bernstein composed his 1954 violin concerto based on the Symposium, and Ratmansky translates that philosophical conversation into movement.
Predominantly male, the choreography conveys camaraderie, energy, and constant dialogue. The dancers enter and exit the formations as if exchanging ideas in a lively debate. The climax arrives with the appearance of Diotima, whose presence and bold leaps symbolize the “ladder of love,” an ascent from earthly passion to a purer, more spiritual form.
It is a challenging and moving piece, revealing another facet of ABT’s repertoire: its commitment to conceptual depth and innovation.
Rayonda: Grand Pas Hongrois
Choreography by Marius Petipa, staged by Susan Jaffe
Music by Alexander Glazunov
The evening’s finale is a pure classical celebration. Raymonda’s Grand Pas Hongrois represents ballet at its most brilliant and refined. Premiered in 1898 in St. Petersburg, the ballet was one of the greatest successes of Petipa, the undisputed master of classicism.
Glazunov's music is simply magnificent: rich, melodic, and vibrant, it evokes Hungarian landscapes with radiant orchestration. Each variation allows the soloists to showcase their technique, elegance, and personality. The pas de deux are filled with technical difficulty and moments of lyricism, while the corps de ballet adds splendor and dynamism.
Hearing this music with this ballet dancers, with its intensity and vibrancy, is an uplifting experience that underscores the magic of classical ballet.
A Night to Dream
In the sophisticated and luminous atmosphere of Abu Dhabi, surrounded by spectacular architecture, exquisite cuisine, and legendary hospitality, attending this performance will be much more than going to the theater: it will be a complete experience.
On April 17, 2026, the Emirates Palace Auditorium will be transformed into a temple of dance, where the stars, principals, and soloists of American Ballet Theatre will display their artistry in a magical program.
For ballet lovers, it will be an unrepeatable delight. For those traveling to the city for this purpose, it's a dream come true. And for Abu Dhabi, it's a bright new chapter in its vibrant cultural life.
On April 17, 2026, audiences in Abu Dhabi will have the rare privilege of witnessing one of the world’s most celebrated ballet companies, American Ballet Theatre, in the magnificent setting of the Emirates Palace Auditorium, as part of the distinguished Abu Dhabi Festival. It will not merely be an evening at the theatre, but a moment of artistic distinction—an encounter with excellence that few cities in the world are fortunate enough to experience.
For the citizens of Abu Dhabi, and for visitors who travel to the Emirati capital for this extraordinary event, this triple bill offers something truly exceptional: the opportunity to see the principal dancers, soloists, and rising stars of ABT perform three masterpieces that span the grandeur of classical tradition and the intellectual depth of modern ballet.
A Company of Stars on a Grand Stage
American Ballet Theatre is synonymous with artistic prestige. For decades, its dancers have set the standard for technical brilliance, dramatic nuance, and stylistic versatility. To see these artists live—at the height of their powers—is a privilege that elevates any cultural season.
The Emirates Palace Auditorium, with its opulent architecture and refined acoustics, provides a setting worthy of such brilliance. The golden interiors and majestic atmosphere echo the splendour of the great opera houses of Europe, making it the perfect stage for a program that celebrates the full spectrum of ballet artistry.
This triple bill has been carefully chosen to showcase the range of ABT’s dancers: classical purity, neoclassical sophistication, and philosophical contemporary expression. Each ballet reveals different facets of the company’s strength—and allows the audience to discover the individuality of its leading artists.
Theme and Variations
Choreography by George Balanchine
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Balanchine’s Theme and Variations is a glittering homage to the imperial Russian ballet tradition. Set to the final movement of Tchaikovsky’s Orchestral Suite No. 3, it is a work of majestic formality and breathtaking technical demand.
From the first measures of Tchaikovsky’s luminous score, the audience is drawn into a world of classical splendour. The celebrated adagio for the principal couple is one of the most exquisite passages in the repertoire: expansive lines, sustained balances, intricate partnering, and an almost sculptural sense of poise. The music unfolds with richness and warmth, and the choreography responds with crystalline precision.
For ABT’s leading dancers, this ballet is both a challenge and a triumph. It calls for regal authority, flawless technique, and musical sensitivity. The 24-member ensemble creates an intricate tapestry of movement—patterns that seem endless in their complexity and beauty. To see ABT’s stars inhabit this masterpiece in Abu Dhabi is to witness classical ballet at its most resplendent.
Serenade after Plato’s Symposium
Choreography by Alexei Ratmansky
Music by Leonard Bernstein
If Theme and Variations embodies imperial grandeur, Serenade after Plato’s Symposium represents intellectual and emotional exploration. Ratmansky’s choreography, set to Bernstein’s Violin Concerto inspired by Plato, transforms philosophical discourse into movement.
The ballet is predominantly male, offering a rare opportunity to see ABT’s male principals and soloists in roles that demand both athletic power and psychological nuance. The choreography pulses with camaraderie and dynamism. Dancers move in and out of formations as if exchanging ideas in animated debate, their steps reflecting the shifting themes of love described in Plato’s text.
Bernstein’s score is vibrant, rhythmically complex, and emotionally charged. Ratmansky responds with choreography that is at once cerebral and deeply human. The climactic appearance of Diotima—lifted heavenward in soaring, ambitious phrases—becomes a metaphor for love’s ascent from earthly passion to spiritual enlightenment.
For audiences in Abu Dhabi, this ballet offers something rare: a contemporary masterpiece interpreted by artists of the highest calibre. It reveals the versatility of ABT’s dancers and their ability to inhabit roles that are at once abstract and profoundly expressive.
Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois
Choreography by Marius Petipa, staged by Susan Jaffe
Music by Alexander Glazunov
The evening concludes with a blaze of classical brilliance: the Grand Pas Hongrois from Raymonda. This is Petipa at his most magnificent—a celebration of virtuosity, elegance, and theatrical splendour.
Glazunov’s radiant score fills the auditorium with warmth and grandeur. The Hungarian-inflected melodies shimmer with colour, and the orchestration provides a sumptuous foundation for the dancers’ artistry. There is something almost ceremonial about this music; it carries the audience into a world of celebration and refinement.
The choreography allows each soloist to shine. Variations sparkle with intricate footwork and commanding turns. The principal couple must combine technical fearlessness with aristocratic grace. Every entrance, every pose, every musical accent becomes an opportunity for ABT’s stars to display their individuality.
For the audience in Abu Dhabi, it will be thrilling to witness these artists—internationally acclaimed and admired across the globe—bringing Petipa’s masterpiece to life in such an opulent setting.
A Privileged Moment for Abu Dhabi
To host American Ballet Theatre is a mark of cultural distinction. The citizens of Abu Dhabi are truly fortunate to experience, on their own stage, a company whose dancers regularly perform in the world’s greatest theatres.
This program is not simply a performance—it is a celebration of ballet’s past, present, and future. It allows audiences to admire the classical legacy of Petipa and Balanchine, to reflect on the philosophical modernity of Ratmansky, and above all to discover the extraordinary talent of ABT’s principals and soloists.
On April 17, 2026, the Emirates Palace Auditorium will glow not only with architectural splendour but with the brilliance of artists at the peak of their art. For lovers of ballet in Abu Dhabi—and for those who journey there to attend—this promises to be an unforgettable evening of magic, mastery, and pure artistic delight.
في مساءٍ استثنائي يوم 17 أبريل 2026، ستعيش مدينة Abu Dhabi لحظة فنية نادرة مع استضافة فرقة American Ballet Theatre على خشبة Emirates Palace Auditorium ضمن فعاليات Abu Dhabi Festival. إنها مناسبة ثقافية رفيعة المستوى تمنح جمهور أبوظبي فرصة مشاهدة نجوم إحدى أعظم شركات الباليه في العالم في عرض ثلاثي استثنائي يجمع بين الكلاسيكية الرفيعة والابتكار المعاصر.
تُعد فرقة American Ballet Theatre رمزًا عالميًا للتميّز الفني، حيث تضم نخبة من الراقصين الرئيسيين والعازفين المنفردين الذين تألقوا على أعرق المسارح الدولية. واستضافة هذه الكوكبة من النجوم في أبوظبي تمثل حدثًا ثقافيًا كبيرًا يرسّخ مكانة المدينة كعاصمة للفنون الرفيعة في المنطقة.
يتضمن البرنامج ثلاث روائع متباينة الأسلوب، تُظهر مدى تنوع قدرات الفرقة وقوة حضورها الفني.
تفتتح الأمسية بعمل Theme and Variations من تصميم George Balanchine على موسيقى العبقري الروسي Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. يُعد هذا العمل تحيةً لتقاليد الباليه الإمبراطوري الروسي، ويتميّز بفخامته وأناقة تشكيلاته الراقصة. المقطوعة الموسيقية، وخاصة الـ Adagio الساحر، تنساب بعذوبة وتمنح الثنائي الرئيسي لحظات من الرقي والجمال الخالص، حيث تتجلى الخطوط الكلاسيكية المتقنة والتوازنات المدهشة في تناغم تام مع موسيقى تشايكوفسكي الغنية والمضيئة. هذا العمل يتطلب مهارة استثنائية ودقة تقنية عالية، وهو فرصة مثالية لجمهور أبوظبي لمشاهدة نجوم الفرقة في أبهى صورهم.
أما العمل الثاني، Serenade after Plato’s Symposium، فهو من تصميم Alexei Ratmansky على موسيقى Leonard Bernstein المستوحاة من فلسفة Plato حول مفهوم الحب. هذا الباليه يحمل طابعًا فكريًا عميقًا، حيث تتحول الأفكار الفلسفية إلى حوار حركي نابض بالحياة. يتميز العمل بحضور رجالي قوي، يبرز اللياقة والانسجام والتعبير الدرامي، قبل أن تبلغ الذروة بظهور شخصية ديوتيما التي تجسد فكرة “سُلّم الحب” في لوحات رفعٍ مبهرة ترمز إلى السمو الروحي. إنه عمل يجمع بين القوة البدنية والتأمل الفلسفي، ويكشف عن البعد المعاصر في هوية الفرقة.
ويُختتم العرض بمشهد Grand Pas Hongrois من باليه Raymonda، من تصميم أسطورة الباليه الكلاسيكي Marius Petipa، بإعادة تقديم من Susan Jaffe، على موسيقى Alexander Glazunov الساحرة. هذه اللوحة الختامية تمثل قمة الباليه الكلاسيكي في أبهى صوره، حيث تمتزج الفخامة التقنية بالأناقة الأرستقراطية. موسيقى غلازونوف المتألقة، بإيقاعاتها المستوحاة من الطابع المجري، تملأ القاعة دفئًا واحتفالًا، فيما يتألق الراقصون في تنويعات فردية تتطلب براعة فائقة وحضورًا مسرحيًا قويًا. إنه ختام احتفالي يليق بأمسية استثنائية.
إن جمهور أبوظبي محظوظ حقًا بهذه الفرصة الفريدة لمشاهدة نجوم American Ballet Theatre في مسرح فاخر يعكس روعة الفن الذي يُقدَّم عليه. هذه الأمسية ليست مجرد عرض باليه، بل احتفال بتاريخ هذا الفن العريق وحاضره المتجدد، وتجربة جمالية ستبقى في الذاكرة طويلًا لكل من يحضرها.
في 17 أبريل 2026، ستتألق أبوظبي بنجوم الرقص العالمي، وستتحول أمسية الباليه إلى حلم فني ينبض بالجمال والإبداع.
17 апреля 2026 года ослепительный город Абу-Даби станет мировым центром балета, принимая Американский балетный театр в величественном зале Emirates Palace Auditorium в рамках престижного фестиваля в Абу-Даби. Это будет волшебный вечер, обязательный к посещению для любителей танца, живущих в городе или приезжающих в это захватывающее место, чтобы насладиться выступлением одной из самых престижных трупп мира в поистине необыкновенной программе из трех представлений.
Абу-Даби: город из мечты
Абу-Даби — город, словно сошедший со страниц «Тысячи и одной ночи», но переосмысленный с архитектурной смелостью XXI века. Его небоскребы, каждый впечатляющий по сравнению с предыдущим, создают изысканный и футуристический городской пейзаж. Широкие проспекты, высотные офисные и жилые здания, оживленные торговые центры и изысканная архитектура делают столицу Объединенных Арабских Эмиратов идеальным местом для культурного события такого масштаба.
Прогулка по набережной Корниш с ее бескрайними видами на Персидский залив и тщательно ухоженными садами – это почти поэтическое переживание, особенно под ясным, светлым небом, характерным для весеннего климата. В апреле погода просто божественная: теплая, но приятная температура, легкий ветерок на закате и чистое небо, заливающее город несравненным золотым светом.
Вдоль улицы Шейха Зайда, Аэропортной дороги и улицы Хамдана современность вибрирует с невероятной силой, в то время как традиционные базары и эмиратское гостеприимство пробуждают богатое культурное наследие региона. Кухня – это еще одно чувственное путешествие: ароматные специи, сладкие финики, арабский кофе с кардамоном, традиционные блюда, такие как мачбус и харис, наряду с первоклассным международным выбором. Все располагает к наслаждению, открытиям и отдыху.
Легендарная труппа на исключительной сцене
Выступление Американского балетного театра в Абу-Даби – поистине знаменательное событие. Основанная в 1940 году, эта труппа признана «Национальной балетной труппой Америки» и славится своим уникальным сочетанием классических традиций, технического виртуозства и открытости к современному творчеству. В её состав входят солисты, ведущие солисты и международные звёзды, чьё художественное мастерство украшало самые престижные сцены мира.
В этом специальном представлении зрители смогут насладиться тремя шедеврами репертуара, контрастирующими по стилю и характеру, демонстрирующими универсальность и художественную глубину труппы.
«Тема и вариации»
Хореография Джорджа Баланчина
Музыка Петра Ильича Чайковского
«Тема и вариации» — дань уважения великолепию русского императорского балета. Поставленное на музыку из заключительной части «Оркестровой сюиты № 3» Чайковского, произведение является торжеством классической виртуозности и формальной элегантности.
Изысканное центральное адажио — это момент чистой музыкальной и хореографической поэзии: длинные линии, устойчивое равновесие, безупречные повороты и музыкальность, которая, кажется, парит над оркестром. Светящаяся и масштабная партитура Чайковского окутывает сцену атмосферой романтического величия.
Произведение требует виртуозности как от главного дуэта, так и от ансамбля из 24 танцоров, которые с предельной точностью сплетают сложные хореографические узоры. Это визуальное и музыкальное пиршество, демонстрация технического мастерства и величия, характерных для ABT.
Серенада по мотивам «Симпозиума» Платона
Хореография Алексея Ратманского
Музыка Леонарда Бернштейна
Вдохновленное философским текстом Платона, это произведение представляет собой абстрактное и глубоко интеллектуальное исследование любви как пути к истине и красоте. Бернштейн написал свой скрипичный концерт 1954 года на основе «Симпозиума», а Ратманский переводит этот философский диалог в движение.
В хореографии, преимущественно мужской, передаются чувство товарищества, энергия и постоянный диалог. Танцоры входят и выходят из построений, словно обмениваясь идеями в оживленной дискуссии. Кульминация наступает с появлением Диотимы, чье присутствие и смелые прыжки символизируют «лестницу любви», восхождение от земной страсти к более чистой, духовной форме.
Это сложная и трогательная постановка, раскрывающая еще одну грань репертуара ABT: его приверженность концептуальной глубине и новаторству.
Районда: Гранд-па-вонгруа
Хореография Мариуса Петипа, постановка Сьюзан Джаффе
Музыка Александра Глазунова
Финал вечера — это чисто классическое торжество. Гранд-па-вонгруа Районды представляет балет в его самом блестящем и изысканном виде. Премьера балета состоялась в 1898 году в Санкт-Петербурге, и он стал одним из величайших успехов Петипа, бесспорного мастера классицизма.
