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© SHAYAN Rostami
Grand Dance Gala at the Liceu
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November 2025 | ||||||
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Grand Dance Gala at the Liceu
From Petipa to Balanchine
Approximate running time: 2 hours 30 minutes
The gala features an exceptional program with iconic excerpts from the classical repertoire, combining lyricism, delicacy, and displays of great virtuosity.
A unique display of virtuosity, emotion, and elegance that captivates the audience.
In the incomparable setting of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the Grand Dance Gala once again becomes an unmissable event for classical dance lovers. This event, bringing together some of the most prominent figures of international ballet, is a true gift for the audience: a fascinating journey through beauty, technique, and expressiveness that only great performers can achieve.
The stars of this gala will present an exceptional program combining various iconic excerpts from the classical repertoire. From moments of lyricism and delicacy to the most spectacular jumps, the evening will be a display of virtuosity that reflects the tradition and evolution of ballet as a living and universal art form.
This gala is not just a performance; it is a celebration of the values inherent to ballet: perseverance, discipline, and total dedication to a form of expression that transcends language and touches the deepest emotions. Moreover, it represents the Liceu’s commitment to promoting dance as a fundamental pillar of its artistic project.
At the heart of La Rambla, this gala promises to become a meeting point between the audience and artistic excellence. A unique moment to enjoy the magic of movement and the perfect dialogue between body, music, and space. Let yourself be captivated by the charm of these exceptional dancers on an unforgettable night that reaffirms the transformative power of art at the Liceu, a temple of dance and eternal emotions.
Program and cast
Prima Ballerina - Bolshoi Theatre: Svetlana Zakharova
Prima Ballerina - The Royal Ballet: Natalia Osipova
Principal Dancer - The Royal Ballet: Reece Clarke
Prima Ballerina - Mariinsky Theatre: Maria Khoreva
Prima Ballerina - American Ballet Theatre: Isabella Boylston
Principal Dancer - American Ballet Theatre: James Whiteside
Prima Ballerina - New York City Center: Tiler Peck
Principal Dancer - New York City Center: Roman Mejia
Prima Ballerina - Berlin Staatsballet: Iana Salenko
Principal Dancer - Studio Simkin: Daniil Simkin
Prima Ballerina - English National Ballet: Sangeun Lee
Principal Dancer - English National Ballet: Gareth Haw
Production Director - Carmen Tanaka
Technical Director and Lighting - Jaume Cañasveras
Dance Masters - Elias Garcia, Ginett Moncho, David Iglesias
Choreographies - Marius Petipa, George Balanchine, Lev Ivanov, Stanton Welch, John Cranko, Itzak Galili, Cayetano Soto, and Mikhail Fokine
Music - Piotr Ilitch Tchaikovsky, Camille Saint-Saëns, and Giacomo Puccini
Organizer - Gran Teatre del Liceu
Production - Ballet de Catalunya
Idea - Leo Sorribes and Elías García
Gran Teatre del Liceu
Barcelona's opera house, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, was founded on the Rambla in 1847 and has continued over the years to fulfil its role as a culture and arts centre and one of the symbols of the city.
Today it is publicly-owned (by the Government of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council, Barcelona Provincial Council and the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte) and administered by the Fundació del Gran Teatre del Liceu which, in addition to the aforementioned bodies, incorporates the Patronage Council and the Societat del Gran Teatre del Liceu (the old society of owners).
Origins: From 1837 to 1847
The Liceu evolved out of the Sociedad Dramática de Aficionados (Society of theatre-lovers) set up in 1837 at the instigation of Manuel Gibert in the former convent of Montsió by members of the National Militia, an organization of armed citizens with liberal leanings.
Barcelona's economy and population were growing fast at the time and the city needed a music conservatory. This led to the conversion of the Sociedad Dramática into the Liceo Filármonico Dramático Barcelonés de S.M. la Reina Isabel II (Barcelona Dramatic and Philharmonic Lyceum of HM Queen Isabel II). In addition to its theatrical activities, the new organization cultivated Italian-style singing and music.
The building on the Rambla
The original building was solemnly opened on 4 April 1847. The plans had been drawn up by Miquel Garriga i Roca, subsequently assisted by Josep Oriol Mestres. The project was funded by selling shares, which meant that many of the boxes and seats were to be privately owned. The shareholders formed the Societat del Gran Teatre del Liceu, known as the “Societat de Propietaris” (Society of Owners), which was in sole charge of running the Gran Teatre del Liceu from 1855 onwards, after it was legally separated from the Conservatori del Gran Teatre del Liceu.
The theatre was operated by impresarios who were given a concession to stage a specific number of productions in exchange for the proceeds from the sale of tickets not reserved for the Societat itself. This system was to endure until 1980.
The creation of the Consortium
By the last quarter of the 20th century this management system was no longer viable. In 1980, to avert the danger of the disappearance of an institution of such worldwide cultural renown, the Generalitat Catalonia's first government in modern times – set up a consortium, the Consorci del Gran Teatre del Liceu, which also incorporated Barcelona City Council and the Societat del Gran Teatre del Liceu. Barcelona Provincial Council joined the Consortium in 1985, followed by the Spanish Ministry of Culture in 1986. From then on the Consortium took over operation of the theatre.
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