Bolshoi Ballet arrives for Brisbane exclusive
Published Thursday, 30 May, 2013 at 04:00 PM
Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
The Honourable Ian Walker
The Bolshoi Ballet’s exclusive Brisbane season has proved a major drawcard for visitors and arts lovers with more than 95 per cent of tickets already sold.
Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts Ian Walker and Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey officially welcomed the world renowned Bolshoi Ballet to Brisbane today.
“The Bolshoi Ballet has not performed in Australia for almost two decades and there are many ballet fans around Australia who will travel to Brisbane for this exclusive season,” Mr Walker said.
“It is great to see that QPAC has sold 95 per cent of available tickets for the season and 18 per cent of these tickets are to interstate purchasers.
“It is also very important that more Queenslanders get to see more arts and culture and I am delighted QPAC will present its first ballet simulcast to regional centres across Queensland on 4 June, with Le Corsaire streamed live to nine venues across the state from Cairns to Toowoomba.”
About 160 members of the Bolshoi are in Brisbane to perform two works never before seen in Australia - Le Corsaire and The Bright Stream - at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) 30 May-9 June 2013.
The Bolshoi Ballet season is the second event in the QPAC International Series, a joint initiative by QPAC and Tourism and Events Queensland.
Minister Stuckey said the Bolshoi Ballet further enhances the city’s reputation as a hub for high profile, exclusive arts and cultural events and was a superb drawcard for international, interstate and intrastate visitors.
“I am thrilled the Bolshoi Ballet’s exclusive 2013 Australian season will be showcased in Brisbane,” Ms Stuckey said.
“The State Government’s DestinationQ strategy recognises cultural tourism as a priority niche market.
“In 2012, six million visitors came to Brisbane, spending $4.5 billion on overall visits and events.
“The Government is proud to support the QPAC International Series as part of our goal to increase overnight visitor expenditure in Queensland to $30 billion by 2020.”
For bookings and information on simulcasts go to www.qpac.com.au or call 136 246.
[ENDS] 30 May 2013
Media Contact:
Minister Walker Alex Bernard 0417 252 563