41st Prix de Lausanne begins Jan. 27

The 41st Prix de Lausanne, an annual international ballet competition held in Switzerland, is revving up to begin on January 27. For ballet fans residing in or near Lausanne, or for visitors arriving from abroad, there is nothing more exciting than seeing the competition firsthand. This year, various events and festivities are being geared toward visitors and observers.

New this year are daily Dance Dialogues, free discussions open to the public led by dance celebrities like Li Cunxin, world-renowned dancer and author of Mao’s Last Dancer, and Tamara Rojo, Artistic Director and Principal Dancer of the English National Ballet. Various speakers will discuss their careers and take questions from the public in an intimate and informal setting. The dialogues will be held every afternoon in the Foyer of the Théâtre de Beauieu.

Competition guests can also enjoy observing participants’ ballet classes and warm-ups. They can feel all the exuberance and heartache of the 2013 candidates as world-renowned teachers and coaches put the dancers through their paces.

Ballet fans are also invited to watch the exciting semi-finals of the competition on Friday, February 1, which features classical and contemporary variations performed by all 2013 candidates before the jury. Tickets are now available in-person only at the Opéra de Lausanne’s box office. From January 28th to February 1st, tickets will be available in-person at the Théâtre de Beaulieu.

Lastly, Prix de Lausanne attendees are also welcomed to watch the finals. The 20 finalists chosen during the selections are once again in the spotlight as they perform before a filled-to-the rafters crowd.

While the jury members deliberate, guests can enjoy the interlude performance given by special guest artists, to be announced later. Tickets for the finals are now available online, at the Opera de Lausanne box office in-person, or by telephone at +41 (0)21 315 40 20.

For more information about tickets, events and scheduling for the 2013 Prix de Lausanne, visit the tickets and information section on the Prix de Lausanne web site at www.prixdelausanne.org. The 41st Prix de Lausanne will run January 27 through February 2, 2013 and will include seven selected dancers from Australia and dozens of others from countries such as Brazil, Japan, Norway, Germany, China, France, Serbia and the United States. Prix de Lausanne awards and scholarships will be announced after the finals.