7 reasons to check out Bangkok's 13th International Festival of Dance and Music

Bangkok's International Festival of Dance & Music started with a dream. One of sticking Thailand’s pin into the global cultural map with an arts festival to rival any in the region.

Now in its 13th year (September 9-October 16), it is the largest annual performing arts festival in Thailand, and has introduced audiences to the arabesque and cabriole, the zapateado, the cadenza and coloratura. It also brought opera to the Kingdom for the first time with the Novosibirsk State Academic Opera’s "La Bohème". 

Over the years, it has enthralled audiences with acts like Sydney Dance Company’s "Ellitse", the "Ramayana" by Kalakshetra, "Swan Lake" by the Moscow Stanislavsky Ballet, Sara Baras Ballet Flamenco, Portuguese fado singer Mariza, acclaimed maestro Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and Zurich Ballet’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream." 

For festival founder and director, J.S. Uberoi, it is a dream come true, fulfilling his “desire to fill a serious gap in Bangkok’s cultural calendar." 

“I personally love classical ballets, operas … but one had to travel outside the country to see one," he says. "Also over the years I had come to a realization that most major cities in Europe had an annual arts festival. Even Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and Macau boasted of one.

"But in Bangkok there was no such cultural initiative. An arts festival only stood to enhance the image of Thailand. Over the years it has not only enhanced the image of Bangkok but also improved the standard of performing arts in Thailand.”

Here are his must-watch acts from this year’s calendar of performances. 

1. Mariinsky Ballet, Russia

"Accompanied by the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra of St. Petersburg, this company has extraordinary ballet technique and lyricism. President Putin even sent them to Thailand to perform for His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday celebrations.

"This year they will stage 'Le Corsaire' and 'Don Quixote', two full-length ballets that will have the entire company of 200 artists performing." 

2. Introdans, The Netherlands  

"If you want to see the best contemporary dance, this is the group to watch. They will perform four highlights from their repertoire –- In Memoriam, Evening Song, Sechs Tanze and Indigo Rose –- three of which are the works of the genius choreographer Jirí Kylián.  

"These dances will make you think about how the body can move, and leave striking images in your mind." 

3. Flying Superkids, Denmark

"This ensemble of high-spirited young gymnasts, aged seven years onwards, is a world-class show. They will impress adults and children alike with their confident gymnastic skills, while making viewers smile with their singing, dancing and infectious humour.  

"The Flying Superkids have performed in sold-out venues from Istanbul to New York."

4. The Blue Planet Live!, BBC Worldwide, United Kingdom

"The Blue Planet Live! is an amazing live music event that takes the audience on a phenomenal journey to watch the story of life beneath the oceans, projected on a giant screen.

"It has breathtaking footage from the award-winning BBC documentary accompanied by the Emmy Award-winning score performed by a full-scale orchestra and a choir, conducted by Richard Harvey, who has also composed the movie scores for Thailand's 'Suriyothai' and 'Naresuan 4.'" 

5. The Tsar’s Bride, Russia

"This Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov opera is hardly seen outside Russia, which is a shame as it has magnificent music and arias.

"This is a new production with stage direction, set and lighting design by professionals from the Bolshoi Opera. We’ll be providing subtitles in Thai and English." 

6. Katia Guerreiro and Musicians, Portugal

"Katia sings fado -- Portuguese ‘blues’ traditionally sung in smoky tavernas -- and she is a diva. Her alto voice and her ability to pull around the tempo of songs in surges -- wistful, flirtatious, heartbroken or in full-throated vibrato -- is perfect for the intimate drama it promises.

"In 2010, she received the highest accolade given to a fadista, the ‘Best Performer of Fado’ award. She will be backed by a Portuguese guitarra, classical guitar and double bass." 

7. Flamenco, Spain

"Ballet Nacional de España (NBE) is Spain’s ambassador for flamenco to the world and their whole ensemble of over 50 performers will be here to perform two productions.

"The award-winning 'La Leyenda' is artistic director José Antonio’s stunning tribute to the diva Carmen Amaya and her public and private sides are portrayed in some magnificent pas de deux.

"Dualia is choreographed by hot duo Angel Rojas and Carlos Rodriguez and is a showcase of excellent ensemble castanet playing and technique."

For the full Bangkok International Festival of Dance & Music lineup, schedules and tickets, visit Thaiticketmajor.com.