Celebrated ballet superstar Roberto Bolle will come to Hong Kong this March with a two-act dance production honoring Caravaggio (1571–1610), the Italian cultural icon and one of the greatest painters to have ever lived, who influenced artists such as Rembrandt and Rubens.
Making its overseas debut and hailed by Dance Today as “a masterpiece”, the production will be staged at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from March 7 to 9, 2026, as part of HKAF’s 2026 programme.
Meet the Ballet Superstar Roberto Bolle
Recognised as one of Italy’s most influential ballet artists, Roberto Bolle became Principal Dancer at La Scala Ballet at the age of 20 and has since performed with the world’s most prestigious companies, including The Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre.
The sought-after dancer also brings together fellow elite performers for his own curated production, Roberto Bolle and Friends, and partners with leading ballerinas such as Darcey Bussell, Alessandra Ferri, Polina Semionova, and Svetlana Zakharova.
His extraordinary technique, acting, and charisma on stage make him an ambassador for Italian culture and dance worldwide, with a large following.
Dancing with Angels and Demons
Created by acclaimed choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti, Caravaggio portrays the master Baroque painter’s turbulent life, which was filled with contrasts between darkness and light, much like his paintings. Inspired by iconic works such as Death of the Virgin and Judith and Holofernes, the production draws on the intensity, realism, and erotism of the Baroque painter’s life and artistry.
The performance is accompanied by a newly arranged score by composer Bruno Moretti, inspired by music by Claudio Monteverdi, including excerpts from his famous operas L’Orfeo and The Coronation of Poppea. Bolle brings Caravaggio back to life, and leads a selected group of dancers, including Maria Khoreva as The Light, Anastasia Matvienko as The Dark, and Ekaterine Surmava as The Beauty.
Speaking about the role, Bolle said: “It was not easy to immerse myself in Caravaggio’s life and personality. However, the challenge made the experience deeply stimulating. Through his paintings, I was able to grasp the depth of his character and emotions.”
Tickets are now available via URBTIX.
| Event: | Roberto Bolle—Caravaggio |
| When: | March 7-9, 2026 (Approximately 1 hr 50 mins including one interval) |
| Where: | Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui |
| Tickets: | HK$300, HK$500, HK$700. HK$880, HK$1080, HK$1280. Student discount available. Tickets available now via URBTIX |
| Website: | https://visit.hkaf.org/xhf0eu |
Image credits: Vito Lorusso, Dennis Cursio, Hong Kong Arts Festival