Following her recent promotion to Principal of The Royal Ballet, Melissa Hamilton’s Ballet Stars Gala comes to Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre this autumn on the 17 and 18 September.
Melissa Hamilton, the only Irish Principal dancer of a major ballet company, headlines this must-see performance, sharing the stage with luminaries from The Royal Ballet and English National Ballet. The lineup will soon expand to feature additional renowned and emerging talents from the global ballet and dance scene. Following the triumph of their collaboration at Melissa Hamilton’s Grand Ballet Gala in Belfast last year, the show also marks a renewed partnership with Ballet Ireland.
Melissa Hamilton’s Ballet Stars Gala is the latest production from Hamilton Christou Productions, the husband-and-wife enterprise from Michael Christou and Melissa, that launched last year with sold-out performances in Singapore and Belfast.
Hamilton Christou Productions aims to break down the barriers of ballet, creating an inclusive global community of dance enthusiasts and those new to the artform. Alongside its performances, the company has presented a series of sold-out masterclasses on Melissa’s home stage in Belfast for aspiring young dancers.
Melissa Hamilton said: “I am thrilled to be bringing some of the world’s leading dancers, iconic ballets, and new creations to Dublin later this year. The last twelve months have been a brilliant start for Hamilton Christou Productions, and I am excited to continue this venture with Michael and share the joy of ballet, dance and creativity with audiences in Ireland.”
Michael Christou said: “Following last year’s sold-out shows in Belfast and Singapore I am looking forward to forging new creative partnerships in the business world to bring exceptional dance experiences to some of the most prestigious stages in the world. With Melissa’s recent promotion to Principal of The Royal Ballet, this emboldens our joint mission to open up ballet to future generations and gives further hope to young dancers in Ireland that they can follow in Melissa’s footsteps and fulfil their dreams.”
Melissa Hamilton was born in Belfast and grew up in Dromore, County Down. She was promoted to Principal of The Royal Ballet earlier this year, having danced with the company for 18 years. During that time, she has created a variety of roles including in Wayne McGregor’s recent MADDADDAM, David Dawson’s The Human Season, and Christopher Wheeldon’s Trespass. She has danced Principal roles in many ballets including Cinderella, Manon, Romeo & Juliet, Mayerling, and Nutcracker. As a Guest Principal she has performed with Semperoper Ballett, La Scala Ballet, and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Her awards include YAGP Grand Prix, Gold Medal at Seoul International Ballet competition, and the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Femal Performance.
Michael Christou is a London based businessman and property developer. He found the globally acclaimed property development company and luxury design house, 1.61 London in 2010 with his brother. The company has an ever-expanding portfolio of luxurious international and London based developments. 1.61 London’s awards include being listed on the World’s Leading Design Names in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022, and winner of London’s SBID (The Society of British and International Interior Design) awards in 2020. In 2023 he found Hamilton Christou Productions with his wife Melissa Hamilton, Principal of The Royal Ballet Company and has gone on to co-produce international and UK based ballet galas.
More details about Melissa Hamilton’s Ballet Stars Gala will be announced shortly.
