There are two main routes that can be taken to conduct an assessment: a prioriin each subject: quantitative and qualitative. And if both perspectives expand the horizon of what is being observed, then we are faced with a auspicious situation. It is the case announced the new season for the Ballet Estable del Teatro Colón, which will have its second year in 2026 under the direction of Julio Boccaand a program with several premieres in the country, return of great classics and a creation commissioned for the company that will bear the title no less than the surname of the most universal Argentine: Borges. And after a year like 2025, in which ballet (which was a hallmark of Bocca in his career) rose again to popularity, followed the double return of Marianela Nunezat this point more than a dance figure, a passion of the masses.
We said back then: Quantitatively this will happen in 2026 six programs -one more than in recent years-, consisting of Eight titles in total. Although the official season booklet does not specify how many performances of each show will be presented, it can be assumed that they will increase in proportion to the number of productions. This is how the year begins Swan Lake (March 11th to 22nd), follows a triple bill with novelties from the 20th and 21st centuries for the locals (May 7th to 17th), the colorful and magnificent presentation brings a Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (July 16 to 30) will dedicate a tribute to him Borges (from September 10th to 20th) as a world premiere will be a drama such as: B. return from the repertoire Manon (from November 5th to 16th) and will arrive with it at Christmas nutcracker (from December 17th to 30th), which opens this Friday in the main hall.
There is a lot to highlight in terms of quality. On the one hand, the aforementioned return of Núñez, a sensation of the season that is soon to end. The star of London’s Royal Ballet will take on the title role in two Tchaikovsky ballets that open and close the year. First The lake…in choreography by Raúl Candal had performed at Luna Park for Bocca’s farewell (2007)and the second by Silvia Bazilis. In this way, the contribution of this emblematic couple of former dancers and teachers remains close to the company.
The mixed program finds the audience with a name that has been on the marquees of the most important cultural centers and companies in the world for years: the Canadian Aszure Barton, whose work Come in (2006) is “like a meditation” for some dancers. Will share the program aftermath (2014), the first choreography by Demis Volpi at the Colon Theater (The Argentine, who developed his creative and directing career mainly in Germany, never worked in the country). He triple bill which previously had a very contemporary character, takes a leap in time to the middle of the last century Etudesa work by Harald Lander, originally for the Royal Danish Ballet.
To know the splendor Alice in Wonderland, Blockbuster in three acts by the English choreographer Christopher Wheeldon For the piece, commissioned by the Royal Opera House in 2011, it is not necessary to have been to the Convent Garden or Denmark, where the sets and costumes seen here come from: this modern classic was also a success on subscription platforms. Of course, the plot is that of Lewis Carroll (in the Columbus repertoire there is Alejandro Cervera’s version) and includes a repertoire of characters (the sublime Queen of Hearts, the smoking caterpillar, the adorable tap-dancing Mad Hatter, the cat, all of them) in a story that can be enjoyed with the family for almost three hours.
A creation is always a challenge and an incentive for a ballet company that works side by side with the choreographer and the composer: in this case the Spaniard Goyo Montero (who staged his ballet a few months ago). Chaconne) will give movement to literature Borgesa company that will be taken over musically by Gustavo Santaolalla and Owen Belton. Speaking to LA NACION this winter, Montero revealed how exciting it was for him to travel to Buenos Aires, the city he first got to know through Borges. “He is a writer to whom I return again and again because there is something universal about him: you will always find new interpretations as age changes,” noted the 50-year-old from Madrid.
The return of Manon, by Kenneth MacMillana full-fledged drama that has not been performed on this stage since 2010 (previously Bocca and Alessandra Ferri made it known in the country at the Teatro Ópera). It is produced by the Colón Theater Workshops, which is an inevitable coincidence: the lyrical season is also planned for 2026 and is based on the novel by Abbé Prévost about the Knight Des Grieux and Manon Lescaut. Regarding the cast, the participation of guest dancers has been announced for this title, even without confirmed names: if the agendas coincide, an irresistible couple from the Paris Opera such as Hugo Marchand and Dorothée Gilbert could end up at Libertad 621. At the moment, this is a (good) intention that can cause a stir on YouTube.
By the way, after the complaints of several of its loyal ballet lovers and in view of the opening of the subscription renewal on the 12th of this month at the end of the year, the Colón wanted to leave a written footnote: that the presence of international artists will be confirmed subject to availability and that it may not coincide with all the functions of the subscription.
The season finally ends in December 2026 The Nutcrackerin the choreographic version by Silvia Baziliswith the Stable Orchestra and the children’s choir of the Teatro Colón. All tickets are sold out for performances of the same ballet, which begin this Friday and run until December 28th.
About The Author
