In a landmark cultural moment, the Greek National Opera Ballet (GNO) is set to enchant South African audiences with its debut performance at Dance Intersect 2025, taking place this October at Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre. This momentous occasion will feature the contemporary ballet Les Nuits d’été, choreographed by the renowned Konstantinos Rigos, and set to the evocative music of French composer Hector Berlioz.
This stunning work draws inspiration from the poetry of Théophile Gautier, capturing the essence of love in its most idealised form through Berlioz’s haunting melodies. Rigos masterfully reinterprets these themes, creating a choreographic language that beautifully merges classical ballet with the fluidity of modern romanticism. “Les Nuits d’été is a work that makes us reminisce of all those nights we love, fall in love, dream, live,” Rigos states. “It speaks to the fluidity of relationships and the delicate interplay between light and shadow – a kaleidoscope of emotions that feel both timeless and contemporary.”
For ballet enthusiasts in Cape Town, this performance represents an exceptional opportunity to witness one of Europe’s most celebrated dance companies. Rigos’s unique style, complemented with visually striking costumes by Deux Hommes, promises an experience that is not only visually arresting but also deeply emotionally resonant.
“Hosting the Greek National Opera Ballet in South Africa for the first time is an honour,” expressed Anderson Carvalho, founder of Dance Intersect and Artistic Director of ACDC. “This production brings international excellence to our stage, offering audiences a chance to experience ballet at its most evocative – where classical beauty meets contemporary expression.”
Dance Intersect 2025, a visionary initiative by Carvalho, is produced in collaboration with Elvis Sibeko Studios and the Artscape Theatre Centre. This festival continues its mission to create a global meeting point for dance, showcasing both international companies and South African talent, while celebrating movement without borders.
The production receives proud support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (under Dutch development policy), Tristan Finance, the Van Ewijck Foundation, and the Embassy of Spain in South Africa, ensuring a rich cultural exchange for all involved.
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