Ballet Asteras 2026

～Inviting Japanese Dancers from Overseas, to connect the Japanese Ballet to the World～

"Ballet Asteras" is a special gala performance presented each summer at the New National Theatre Tokyo, bringing together Japanese dancers who are active with leading ballet companies around the world. Featuring a diverse program ranging from beloved classical masterpieces to contemporary works receiving their Japanese premieres - including pieces that can only be experienced at "Ballet Asteras" - the gala has been widely acclaimed by audiences.

Now in its 16th edition since its launch in 2009, "Ballet Asteras 2026" will showcase 16 dancers performing at the forefront of eight ballet companies across eight countries, offering a vibrant glimpse of ballet as it is loved and performed around the world today.

From the National Ballet of Japan, rising young dancers HIGASHI Maho and LEE Myunghyun, who recently made their main role debuts in "The Nutcracker" during the Christmas and New Year season, will appear on stage.

In addition, as the Invited Ballet School from Overseas 2026, the Accademia Teatro alla Scala - which has produced many outstanding dancers and attracted great attention during its appearances at Ballet Asteras 2018 and 2023 - will join the program. We also invite you to look forward to the contrast between their performances and those of the young dancers of New National Theatre Ballet School.

Please enjoy these two special days when dancers from all over the world will gather at the New National Theatre Tokyo to feel the world united through ballet!

Japanese Dancers from Overseas & Partners

• ISHII Anna (Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Principal)
  Marcel GUTIÉRREZ (Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, First Soloist)
  
  "Don Quixote", Act III Pas de Deux
  Choreography: Marina VILLANUEVA
  Music: Léon MINKUS

• OHASHI Mari (Béjart Ballet Lausanne, Dancer)
  Kwinten GUILLIAMS (Béjart Ballet Lausanne, Dancer)
  
  "Mutation X"
  Choreography: Maurice BÉJART
  Music: Jackie GLEASON

• OKUMURA Aya (Czech National Ballet, First Soloist)
  Federico IEVOLI (Czech National Ballet, First Soloist)
  
  "The Sleeping Beauty", Act III Pas de Deux (With generosity of Marcia Haydée)
  Choreography: Marcia HAYDÉE
  Music: Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
  
  "Manon", Act I Bedroom Pas de Deux
  Choreography: Sir Kenneth MACMILLAN
  Music: Jules MASSENET
  Music arrangement and Orchestration: Martin YATES
  
  *One of the two works will be performed per day. The performance date for each work is TBD.

• KOMORI Sera (Polish National Ballet, Corps de ballet)
  George EDWARDS (Polish National Ballet, Corps de ballet)
  
  "Satanella", Pas de Deux
  Choreography: Marius PETIPA
  Music: Cesare PUGNI

• Emilie TASSINARI (Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana, Soloist)
  YAMAMOTO Kenta (Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana, Principal)
  
  "Hamlet", Act I Hamlet and Ophelia Pas de Deux
  Choreography: Leo MUJIĆ
  Music: Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY, Camille SAINT-SAËNS

• HATATO Rieko (Texas Ballet Theater, Soloist)
  Andre SILVA (Texas Ballet Theater, Principal)
  
  "Three Preludes", 1st Movement, 3rd Movement
  Choreography: Ben STEVENSON, O.B.E.
  Music: Sergei RACHMANINOV
  Piano: KOSE Leiki

• MARUO Asuka (Croatian National Theatre, Principal)
  YOSHIOKA Yuho (Croatian National Theatre, First Soloist)
  
  "Giselle", Act II Pas de Deux
  Choreography: José Carlos MARTÍNEZ
  Music: Adolphe ADAM

• YOSHIDA Neneka (Queensland Ballet, Principal)
  Edison MANUEL (Queensland Ballet, Soloist)
  
  "Coco Chanel: the Life of a Fashion Icon", Act I Table Pas de Deux　 Japan Premiere
  Choreography: Annabelle LOPEZ OCHOA
  Music: Peter SALEM
  
  "Romeo and Juliet", Act I Balcony Pas de Deux
  Choreography: Sir Kenneth MACMILLAN
  Music: Sergei PROKOFIEV
  
  *One of the two works will be performed per day. The performance date for each work is TBD.

Dancers of the National Ballet of Japan

• HIGASHI Maho (First Artist)
  LEE Myeonghyun (Soloist)
  
  "Grand Pas Classique"
  Choreography: Victor GSOVSKY
  Music: François AUBER

Accademia Teatro alla Scala

＜Program is TBA＞

©Annachiara Di Stefano

New National Theatre Ballet School

"En Bateau"

Choreography: Sir David BINTLEY
Music: Claude Achille DEBUSSY

"En Bateau" from NNT Ballet School
Graduation Performance 2026
©Hidemi Seto