The 33rd Madrid en Danza Festival starts on 5 December and features an eclectic three-week programme of dance that includes classical and cutting-edge performances.
All the shows have been carefully selected for inclusion in this international festival, and some have been specially commissioned for the occasion.
Highlights include an appearance from the National Ballet of China (5-7 December), French dancer Hervé Koubi with his production Les Nuits Barbares (29-30 December), and the Italian group imPerfect Dancers Company performing ‘Lady Macbeth’ (22-23 December).
Local dance culture is represented, among others, by Eduardo Guerrero, Joaquín Grilo, Marco Flores and Cristian Martín Cano, and there’s a special Spanish Dance Gala from the ADE Company (28 December).
Another standout event pays homage to French-Russian choreographer Marius Petipa, who was born in 1818 and is regarded as one of the greatest choreographers of all time, having created 50 ballets including ‘Don Quixote’, ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘The Sleeping Beauty’.
A gala of principal dancers from leading Russian companies will pay tribute to Petipa (15-16 December), who spent an extensive part of his career working in Saint Petersburg – he was Ballet Master of the city’s Imperial Theatre from 1871 until 1903.
When: 5-30 December
Where: Various venues including Museo del Prado and Teatros del Canal
More info: madrid.org