QPAC cancels its event of the year

It was to be the jewel in QPAC’s crown for 2020, but the latest coronavirus cancellation to rock the centre is possibly the most bitter for arts lovers.

The Paris Opera Ballet production of Swan Lake

DUE to coronavirus travel restrictions, the forthcoming Brisbane season featuring the world famous Paris Opera Ballet has been cancelled, leaving ballet lovers all over the country devastated.

The company, one of the world’s top four (along with the Bolshoi, The Royal Ballet and the Mariinsky) was to star at the 2020 QPAC International Series from July 1 to 19.

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But the company is now unable to come, and no new season has been announced.

Paris Opera Ballet is the epitome of French culture, and ballet fans were in for a treat with an opening gala, a production of Rudolf Nureyev’s iconic Swan Lake and a mixed bill of contemporary works in Parisienne Soiree.

QPAC touted it as “Australia’s cultural event of the year”, and Sydney-based arts doyen Leo Schofield said the French company’s Swan Lake was the world’s best production of one of the great ballets.

The Paris Opera Ballet production of Swan Lake

“They do say the two most powerful words in ballet are Swan and Lake,” Mr Schofield said.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the company’s visit had been expected to pump at least $5 million into Queensland’s ailing economy.

QPAC chief executive John Kotzas said throughout the ongoing global uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the organisation had been ever hopeful of the possibility of the season going ahead but had also been working hard with Paris Opera Ballet on the possibility of needing to reschedule.

“Unfortunately, continuing international travel restrictions and of course strict guidelines around mass gatherings, mean that we cannot proceed with this season for its scheduled dates in July this year,” Mr Kotzas said.

“Our International Series is the jewel in the crown of QPAC’s programming, and it is always such a privilege for us to bring the world’s best companies to our stage, so this is a huge disappointment for us and our audiences.

QPAC chief executive John Kotzas

“As we do not yet have confirmed dates for a rescheduled season, all tickets will be fully refunded, and we are collaborating with Paris Opera Ballet to ascertain possible dates for the triumphant return of this world-renowned ballet company.

“We have promised our dedicated International Series ticket holders that they will be given the first opportunity to purchase tickets to a rescheduled season.”

Since its inaugural presentation in 2009, the QPAC International Series has welcomed some of the world’s finest performing arts companies – including the Bolshoi Ballet, the Royal Ballet and Teatro alla Scala – with many of them making their Australian debuts, and the Bolshoi making a return visit exclusively to Brisbane last year.

The QPAC International Series has been supported by the Queensland Government with funding from Tourism and Events Queensland since its inception.