Italian contemporary dance company Artemis Danza has brought a fresh interpretation of Gioachino Rossini’s celebrated opera ‘The Barber of Seville’ to Dhaka, blending classical Italian musical heritage with contemporary dance.
Led by choreographer Monica Casadei, the company staged the performance at the National Theatre of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Thursday, offering audiences a dynamic take on one of Italy’s best-known operatic works.
The event also featured an initiative to promote artistic exchange and encourage young Bangladeshi dancers. Fifteen students from three Dhaka-based dance schools, Abatar, Katthakiya and Nrityanandan, attended a masterclass conducted by the company and joined its dancers on stage during the performance.
Through expressive choreography, energetic movements and Rossini’s iconic music, Artemis Danza created an artistic encounter between Italy’s cultural heritage and contemporary performance.
The initiative was organised with the support of Italy’s Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), and the Emilia-Romagna Region.
The organisers also thanked Bangladesh’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs for hosting the performance at the BSA’s National Theatre. The ministry’s Secretary Yasmin Begum attended the event and delivered remarks.
Following its Dhaka performance, Artemis Danza is scheduled to arrive in Chattogram for its next engagement.