Program

L.V. Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61
Symphony No.5, Op.67

Michael Sandeling, chief conductor
Augustin Hadelich, violin

Call it a glorious twist of fate? It’s only fitting that Switzerland’s oldest orchestra, founded in 1805, just when Beethoven was writing his Violin Concerto, makes its breathtaking Thailand debut playing that same hallmark piece, as well as what is perhaps the most famous piece of classical music in history, his dramatic Symphony No. 5.

Prolific in recording but steeped in musical heritage, the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Michael Sanderling who has experience conducting most of Europe’s leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Munich Philharmonic, and more.

Soloist Augustin Hadelich is one of the most talented artists to have ever picked up a violin. The Grammy Award winner is currently ranked the best violinist in the United States and one of the top on this Earth. Keep an eye on his equally astonishing instrument: he plays a 300-year-old violin named ‘Leduc, ex Szeryng’.

Saturday 24 June 2023 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

Supported by Embassy of Switzerland and Institut auf dem Rosenberg 

Program

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky :
Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36 (Fatum)
Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 (Pathétique)

Zubin Mehta, conductor

If you’re looking for a legend, look no further than Zubin Mehta, indisputably the world’s top living conductor for generations now. He’s held the position of Musical Director of a staggering number of the world’s great orchestras: the Montreal Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic.

He appears in Bangkok with the Symphony Orchestra of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, of which he spent decades as Principal Conductor and is now Honorary Director for life – naturally, this century-old storied teatro has dedicated their new auditorium to him.

You can find Mehta’s star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame. He received the “Praemium Imperiale” from the Japanese imperial family, the Cross of Merit of the German Federal Republic, and the Tagore Award for cultural harmony from the Indian government. Musical genius run in his bloodstream – his violinist father founded the Bombay Symphony Orchestra – and the Festival is overjoyed to present this megastar of music.

Saturday, 2 September 2023, 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

Supported by Embassy of Italy

One of the world’s great love stories, Aida was composed by Giuseppe Verdi in 1870 for Cairo’s oldest opera house which was constructed in celebration of the opening of the Suez Canal. The masterfully written libretto transports you to the time of the Pharaohs, where all of humanity’s conflicting emotions erupt on stage: the quest for happiness, dashing betrayal, guilt, duty, freedom, and brilliance.

It’s impossible not to be moved by the tragic love between an enslaved Ethiopian princess and an Egyptian commander – especially as performed with full orchestra and chorus by Helikon Opera, the largest and one of the most internationally renowned opera theatres in Russia. They’ve more than 10 Golden Masks among other awards, and Artistic Director Dmitry Bertman is recognized as Russia’s top opera stage director.

Aesthetically rich, narratively tense and musically impeccable, the experience of Aida is as much a world wonder as the great pyramids of Egypt.

Accompanied by The Choir and the Orchestra of the Moscow Musical Theatre Helikon-Opera

Subtitles in English and Thai

Saturday 9 September 2023 at 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

The boundary-busting tale of Carmen, conceived nearly 150 years ago by Georges Bizet as an operatic tragedy that went on to move generations of theater-goers, comes to Bangkok in a sultry and completely innovative new interpretation. It’s not just flamenco dance that shakes things up here, but also profoundly reconsidered live music with singers, acting and stage craft, even lighting and ambiance.

Granada Flamenco Ballet is Granada’s current global flamenco ambassador and their version of this thrilling story powered by love and jealousy is simply spellbinding. Carmen, Don Jose and Escamillo are all infused with new vibrance, the tensions and the passions are palpable from your seats.

Friday 15 September 2023 at 7:00 PM

Main Hall Thailand Cultural Centre

Supported by Embassy of Spain

Get ready to break new ground with this latest show by Granada Flamenco Ballet. Dance for Me tears down the boundaries between music and dance and whisks you on a journey through the Andalusian performing arts, themselves rooted in a fascinating mix of gypsy, Moorish and Spanish creative traditions.

Partly choreographed by Spanish National Award of Dance-winner Patricia Guerrero,  Dance for Me begins with the passionate work of one of Granada’s shining lights, poet/playwright Federico García Lorca, and ends with a lively fin de fiesta where every dancer improvises their movements and the triumphant climax is therefore different every night.
Along the way, you’ll experience beautiful storytelling, intimacy, intense narrative but also free-spiritedness, and an invigorating sense of the power of community with live singers and musicians. Truly inspiring.

Saturday 16 September 2023 at 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

Supported by Embassy of Spain

Cie Accrorap is not just the foremost representative of French hip-hop and contemporary dance, it is a movement, a revolution, an evolution! Energetic, innovative and exciting, the group led by barrier-breaking dance pioneer Kader Attou will entrance you with The Roots, an 11-man acrobatic celebration encompassing unbelievable dance moves and astounding visual arts. 

An homage to the power of platonic male friendships and collaborations, The Roots doesn’t look back; rather it is a dance for tomorrow enriched by the journeys of its dazzling performers. 

Breakdance, locking, popping, yes of course, but also diverse, daring and sometimes gravity-defying moves borrowed from skating, burlesque movies, tap dance, boxing, and even miming. This effervescent hip hop performance is both spectacular and poetical, alternating speed and slow motion, and full of surprises.

Saturday 23 September 2023 at 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

Supported by Embassy of France

LAC

Under the Presidency of H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover 
LES BALLETS DE MONTE CARLO 
Jean-Christophe Maillot

The Festival’s silver jubilee celebration won’t be complete without a performance of the world’s most famous ballet, Swan Lake. This time the fated love story of the Prince and his cursed White Swan is told through this strikingly grand production from Les Ballets de Monte Carlo. Beneath the overt beauty of the dance, in this timeless tale everything is obscure, complicated, rich and wondrous.

Monaco’s national ballet company was born of royalty. Founded in 1985 in accordance with the wishes of Princess Grace of Monaco, it is headed by Caroline, Princess of Hanover, eldest child of Prince Rainer II of Monaco and Grace Kelly.

Tchaikovsky’s symphonic ballet about a metamorphosis that makes love impossible never fails to move, to tap into our childhood fears, our senses of self, our understanding of humanity. You’ll feel this interpretation of Swan Lake in your soul.

Saturday 30 September 2023 at 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

LAC

Under the Presidency of H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover 
LES BALLETS DE MONTE CARLO 
Jean-Christophe Maillot

The Festival’s silver jubilee celebration won’t be complete without a performance of the world’s most famous ballet, Swan Lake. This time the fated love story of the Prince and his cursed White Swan is told through this strikingly grand production from Les Ballets de Monte Carlo. Beneath the overt beauty of the dance, in this timeless tale everything is obscure, complicated, rich and wondrous.

Monaco’s national ballet company was born of royalty. Founded in 1985 in accordance with the wishes of Princess Grace of Monaco, it is headed by Caroline, Princess of Hanover, eldest child of Prince Rainer II of Monaco and Grace Kelly.

Tchaikovsky’s symphonic ballet about a metamorphosis that makes love impossible never fails to move, to tap into our childhood fears, our senses of self, our understanding of humanity. You’ll feel this interpretation of Swan Lake in your soul.

Sunday 1 October 2023 at 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way. Unless you fall head over heels in love with a Shark… and you’re set on a dramatic, romantic, inevitable collision course with tragedy. The tale of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria at the center of this most iconic of American musicals will grip your heart and never let go.

Now, Bangkok will be among the first few cities in the world to see this stunning new production of West Side Story, featuring the original choreography by Jerome Robbins, with an all-American cast steered by a highly acclaimed New York-based creative team including Emmy Award-winning director Lonny Price and choreographer Julio Monge who also served as artistic consultant for the latest film version by Steven Spielberg.

Brace yourself for this masterpiece of Broadway, a moving love story, coming-of-age tale, and action thriller that has brought audiences to tears and to their feet since Sondheim and Bernstein debuted it in the 1950s.

Original Creative Team
Idea, conception, direction and choreography: Jerome Robbins
Music: Leonard Bernstein 
Book: Arthur Laurents 
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim 

Creative Team
Director: Lonny Price
Choreographer: Julio Monge
Musical Supervisor & Conductor: Grant Sturiale
Scenic Designer: Anna Louizos
Costume Designer: Alejo Vietti
Lighting Designer: Fabrice Kebour
Sound Designer: Tom Marshall

Accompanied by Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra

Thursday 5 October 2023 at 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

Embassy of the United States of America

When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way. Unless you fall head over heels in love with a Shark… and you’re set on a dramatic, romantic, inevitable collision course with tragedy. The tale of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria at the center of this most iconic of American musicals will grip your heart and never let go.

Now, Bangkok will be among the first few cities in the world to see this stunning new production of West Side Story, featuring the original choreography by Jerome Robbins, with an all-American cast steered by a highly acclaimed New York-based creative team including Emmy Award-winning director Lonny Price and choreographer Julio Monge who also served as artistic consultant for the latest film version by Steven Spielberg.

Brace yourself for this masterpiece of Broadway, a moving love story, coming-of-age tale, and action thriller that has brought audiences to tears and to their feet since Sondheim and Bernstein debuted it in the 1950s.

Original Creative Team
Idea, conception, direction and choreography: Jerome Robbins
Music: Leonard Bernstein 
Book: Arthur Laurents 
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim 

Creative Team
Director: Lonny Price
Choreographer: Julio Monge
Musical Supervisor & Conductor: Grant Sturiale
Scenic Designer: Anna Louizos
Costume Designer: Alejo Vietti
Lighting Designer: Fabrice Kebour
Sound Designer: Tom Marshall

Accompanied by Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra

Friday 6 October 2023 at 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

Embassy of the United States of America

When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way. Unless you fall head over heels in love with a Shark… and you’re set on a dramatic, romantic, inevitable collision course with tragedy. The tale of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria at the center of this most iconic of American musicals will grip your heart and never let go.

Now, Bangkok will be among the first few cities in the world to see this stunning new production of West Side Story, featuring the original choreography by Jerome Robbins, with an all-American cast steered by a highly acclaimed New York-based creative team including Emmy Award-winning director Lonny Price and choreographer Julio Monge who also served as artistic consultant for the latest film version by Steven Spielberg.

Brace yourself for this masterpiece of Broadway, a moving love story, coming-of-age tale, and action thriller that has brought audiences to tears and to their feet since Sondheim and Bernstein debuted it in the 1950s.

Original Creative Team
Idea, conception, direction and choreography: Jerome Robbins
Music: Leonard Bernstein 
Book: Arthur Laurents 
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim 

Creative Team
Director: Lonny Price
Choreographer: Julio Monge
Musical Supervisor & Conductor: Grant Sturiale
Scenic Designer: Anna Louizos
Costume Designer: Alejo Vietti
Lighting Designer: Fabrice Kebour
Sound Designer: Tom Marshall

Accompanied by Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra

Saturday 7 October 2023 at 2:30 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

Embassy of the United States of America

When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way. Unless you fall head over heels in love with a Shark… and you’re set on a dramatic, romantic, inevitable collision course with tragedy. The tale of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria at the center of this most iconic of American musicals will grip your heart and never let go.

Now, Bangkok will be among the first few cities in the world to see this stunning new production of West Side Story, featuring the original choreography by Jerome Robbins, with an all-American cast steered by a highly acclaimed New York-based creative team including Emmy Award-winning director Lonny Price and choreographer Julio Monge who also served as artistic consultant for the latest film version by Steven Spielberg.

Brace yourself for this masterpiece of Broadway, a moving love story, coming-of-age tale, and action thriller that has brought audiences to tears and to their feet since Sondheim and Bernstein debuted it in the 1950s.

Original Creative Team
Idea, conception, direction and choreography: Jerome Robbins
Music: Leonard Bernstein 
Book: Arthur Laurents 
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim 

Creative Team
Director: Lonny Price
Choreographer: Julio Monge
Musical Supervisor & Conductor: Grant Sturiale
Scenic Designer: Anna Louizos
Costume Designer: Alejo Vietti
Lighting Designer: Fabrice Kebour
Sound Designer: Tom Marshall

Accompanied by Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra

Saturday 7 October 2023 at 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

Embassy of the United States of America

When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way. Unless you fall head over heels in love with a Shark… and you’re set on a dramatic, romantic, inevitable collision course with tragedy. The tale of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria at the center of this most iconic of American musicals will grip your heart and never let go.

Now, Bangkok will be among the first few cities in the world to see this stunning new production of West Side Story, featuring the original choreography by Jerome Robbins, with an all-American cast steered by a highly acclaimed New York-based creative team including Emmy Award-winning director Lonny Price and choreographer Julio Monge who also served as artistic consultant for the latest film version by Steven Spielberg.

Brace yourself for this masterpiece of Broadway, a moving love story, coming-of-age tale, and action thriller that has brought audiences to tears and to their feet since Sondheim and Bernstein debuted it in the 1950s.

Original Creative Team
Idea, conception, direction and choreography: Jerome Robbins
Music: Leonard Bernstein 
Book: Arthur Laurents 
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim 

Creative Team
Director: Lonny Price
Choreographer: Julio Monge
Musical Supervisor & Conductor: Grant Sturiale
Scenic Designer: Anna Louizos
Costume Designer: Alejo Vietti
Lighting Designer: Fabrice Kebour
Sound Designer: Tom Marshall

Accompanied by Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra

Sunday 8 October 2023 at 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

Embassy of the United States of America

When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way. Unless you fall head over heels in love with a Shark… and you’re set on a dramatic, romantic, inevitable collision course with tragedy. The tale of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria at the center of this most iconic of American musicals will grip your heart and never let go.

Now, Bangkok will be among the first few cities in the world to see this stunning new production of West Side Story, featuring the original choreography by Jerome Robbins, with an all-American cast steered by a highly acclaimed New York-based creative team including Emmy Award-winning director Lonny Price and choreographer Julio Monge who also served as artistic consultant for the latest film version by Steven Spielberg.

Brace yourself for this masterpiece of Broadway, a moving love story, coming-of-age tale, and action thriller that has brought audiences to tears and to their feet since Sondheim and Bernstein debuted it in the 1950s.

Original Creative Team
Idea, conception, direction and choreography: Jerome Robbins
Music: Leonard Bernstein 
Book: Arthur Laurents 
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim 

Creative Team
Director: Lonny Price
Choreographer: Julio Monge
Musical Supervisor & Conductor: Grant Sturiale
Scenic Designer: Anna Louizos
Costume Designer: Alejo Vietti
Lighting Designer: Fabrice Kebour
Sound Designer: Tom Marshall

Accompanied by Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra

Sunday 8 October 2023 at 2:30 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

Embassy of the United States of America

An unmissable compilation of some of the most beautiful ballet pieces in history. A delightful dozen examples of some of the world’s most enchanting choreography. This Gala Concert which features its multiple award-winning dancers and accompanied by a full orchestra is a classical dance hit list with something exciting for everyone.  

The Stuttgart Ballet is the leading German ballet company, which dates back to 1609 and remains among the top 10 ballet companies in the world. It holds the Laurence Olivier Award in the UK for outstanding achievement in dance, and it is where many internationally acclaimed choreographers began their careers.

From eternal classics Romeo and Juliet and Don Quixote to the jazzy Blake Works and a lively, dizzying triple Solo, you won’t want this show to end.

Thursday 12 October 2023 at 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

Supported by Embassy of Germany

Top Female Illusionists/ Magicians

Chairman/ CEO of the International Magicians Society
Tony Hassini

Illusionists/ Magicians
Alana (Germany)
Caroline Ravn (Sweden)
Josephine Lee (UK)
Natalie (Latvia)
Eli (Switzerland)
Paige Thompson (USA)

How did she do that? Get ready to ask yourself that question over and over again during this completely different, totally riveting night out, a marvelous departure in which the Festival veers straight into the realm of magic.

How’s this for girl power? The top six female illusionists and magicians will perform together for the first time ever, in the first magic show choreographed in Bangkok by the president of the International Magicians Society, from New York. 

How will they pull off just 10 days of prep for a fantastic live show of deception, trickery and panache to be broadcast on American TV? You won’t believe your eyes. Get your tickets before they disappear.

Saturday 14 October 2023 at 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

A Ballet by Boris Eifman Based
Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy

The drama, the passion, the tragedy! Leo Tolstoy’s age-old novel about torrid and ultimately very unhappy affair between the handsome Count Vronsky and young, beautiful Anna–alas married to someone else–is presented here in a thrilling ballet staged by multi-award-winning choreographer Boris Eifman, known round the world as a philosopher, a psychological artist, a genius.

The Festival is thrilled that the Eifman Ballet brings this brilliant, boundary-pushing classic to Bangkok, as it has been performed on the major stages of the United States and in nearly every capital in Europe. 

Set to Tchaikovsky’s score, the pace is relentless, grueling and action-packed. It’s impossible not to be riveted by this portrayal of love, lust and duty, capriciousness, abandonment and fate in Imperial Russian high-society.

Saturday 21 October 2023 at 7:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre

A Ballet by Boris Eifman
Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy

The drama, the passion, the tragedy! Leo Tolstoy’s age-old novel about torrid and ultimately very unhappy affair between the handsome Count Vronsky and young, beautiful Anna–alas married to someone else–is presented here in a thrilling ballet staged by multi-award-winning choreographer Boris Eifman, known round the world as a philosopher, a psychological artist, a genius.

The Festival is thrilled that the Eifman Ballet brings this brilliant, boundary-pushing classic to Bangkok, as it has been performed on the major stages of the United States and in nearly every capital in Europe. 

Set to Tchaikovsky’s score, the pace is relentless, grueling and action-packed. It’s impossible not to be riveted by this portrayal of love, lust and duty, capriciousness, abandonment and fate in Imperial Russian high-society.

Sunday 22 October 2023 at 4:00 PM

Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre