International Salieri Circus Award 2024 Starts This Week

The International Salieri Circus Award returns for its 4th edition in 2024, bringing together world-class performers and artists from 21 different countries. From September 26 to 30, Teatro Salieri in Legnago will be the stage for 22 incredible acts, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Diego Basso. In addition to breathtaking performances, the festival will include special seating for the deaf and blind, ensuring inclusivity for all attendees. The event also features a unique theatrical experience as Antonio Salieri comes to life on stage, portrayed by renowned actor Andrea Castelletti. Explore the world of circus and music at the Salieri Circus, with additional events running throughout the city until September 30.

Selected by Artistic Director Antonio Giarola from over 600 applications, the competing artists will perform in two distinct selection shows: “Axur” (A) and “Falstaff” (B), each offering a different program. These performances will take place at Teatro Salieri from September 26 to 30, with shows at 8:30 PM on Thursday and Friday, 3:30 PM and 8:30 PM on Saturday, and at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM on Sunday. The final Gala is scheduled for Monday at 8:30 PM.

“The Salieri Circus is a festival of arts,” says Antonio Giarola. “It is unique among major international events because it’s not just a circus—it combines high-level circus arts with music, singing, dance, and theater.”

Thursday’s show will feature performances by Ukrainian juggler AnnaDellArt, the trapeze duo Wise Fools (South Africa–Finland), Russian acrobat Ivan Slipchenko on the rola bola, Russian equilibrist Artem Sherstobitov, aerial duo Luna Girls from the USA, Belgian hula-hoop artist Alexandra Malter, Argentine clowns Crazy Mozarts, Italian trapeze artist Valentina Padellini, hand-to-hand Duo Ice (Ukraine–Germany), Hungarian aerial hoop artist Patrik Nagy, and the Japanese troupe Flekky performing on ropes.

Friday’s show will highlight Belarusian verticalist Cello, Japanese aerial straps performer Yuchan, Russian diabolo artist Aleksei Teslin, American hair suspension artists Chanel Pepper and Lindsey Cova, Dutch juggler Elena Gambi, German Cyr wheel artist Mikail Karahan, acrobatic roller-skating Duo Rêve (Italy–Brazil), Finnish wire dancer Miss Vera, aerial pole act Xtreme Flying (Cuba–Mexico), Chinese hand-to-hand duo Ballet on Shoulders, and Ethiopian contortionist Queen Habesha Girl.

All shows will open with an “Overture” created in collaboration between the Salieri Circus Academy and the German company Scenic Circus. Choreographed by Gulnara Savenko, Elena Grossule, and Giada Marchese, the performance will be set to the music of Antonio Salieri’s opera Falstaff. The performers include eight young Ukrainian dancers and circus artists currently residing between Budapest and Berlin, as well as two acrobats from the Salieri Circus Academy. This production has been made possible thanks to the support of Péter Fekete and the Capital Circus of Budapest, with co-funding from the European Union.

This edition also marks the return of Antonio Salieri, brought to life on stage by actor Andrea Castelletti, known for his outstanding theatrical performances. Castelletti has portrayed Salieri in numerous successful performances of Rivalsalieri, produced by Teatro Modus in 2020. His portrayal will pay tribute to the great composer’s spirit, offering audiences a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the life and music of this extraordinary artist. “Salieri was a witty and brilliant man who even wrote comic operas and knew how to laugh at himself,” says Castelletti. “At this festival, he returns home to the city from which he embarked on his journey to conquer Europe’s great capitals. During these days, he will be the master of ceremonies for this extraordinary event.”

The festival opens with the first of the talk shows Dialoghi Acrobatici on Thursday, September 26 at noon, held on the terrace of Teatro Salieri (moved to the adjacent VIP Lounge in case of rain). Hosted by journalist and writer Roberto Bianchin, President of the Press Jury, with the participation of Allegra Giarola, the talk show will feature “unscripted” conversations with the festival’s artists. These sessions will also take place on Friday, September 27, and Saturday, September 28, at the same time and location, and will be streamed live on the festival’s Facebook page

As part of the fourth edition, running from September 26 to 30, 2024, at Teatro Salieri in Legnago, the initiative “Salieri for All” will ensure special seating for the deaf and blind, underscoring the festival’s commitment to inclusivity. For the performances on September 26 and 27, 10 seats will be reserved for the Verona Provincial Section of the ENS (National Deaf Association) and another 10 for the Provincial Section of the UICI (Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired). Blind individuals will benefit from live audio descriptions of the circus performances, while deaf attendees will have access to an interpreter who will translate the spoken parts into sign language. Seats can be reserved by contacting the associations directly via email: ENS at [email protected] and UICI at [email protected].

In addition to the scheduled performances, the Salieri Circus will offer 14 extra events, including art exhibitions, conferences, book presentations, talk shows, and markets, showcasing other art forms such as photography, painting, architecture, literature, and visual arts.

Main Image: Antonio Giarola, Artistic Director of the Festival