Mauro Bigonzetti’s Choreographies Delighted Audiences at the Ballet PremiereBallet — 03. October 2026.
With the ballet evening Kazimir’s Colours / Rossini Cards, the CNT Ballet opened the 2026/2027 season, the first under the leadership of Artistic Director of the Ballet Denis Matvienko.
The Ballet of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb opened the new season last night with great success with the premiere of Kazimir’s Colours / Rossini Cards, by distinguished Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti. The premiere performance on 2 October 2026 ended with a long applause and several minutes of ovation, as the audience rewarded the artists for a powerful opening of the new ballet season.
Mauro Bigonzetti in Zagreb
Zagreb audiences had the opportunity to see these works by Bigonzetti for the first time, revealing his distinctive choreographic style, which combines intense physicality, musicality, theatricality and contemporary dance expression. The two contrasting choreographic works allowed the ensemble to demonstrate the breadth of its artistic abilities, from the precision and expressiveness of the duets to the energy of the ensemble scenes. The dancers rose to the demanding choreographic challenge with a technically assured, committed and impressive performance.
The production was further enriched by Mauro Bigonzetti’s stay in Zagreb and his direct work with the ensemble. Working with the choreographer in person enabled the dancers to develop his works through a direct artistic dialogue, exploring the nuances of movement, relationships and musical impulses that shape his choreographic language.
Denis Matvienko’s first ballet season
With this premiere, Denis Matvienko opened his first season as Artistic Director of the Ballet of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. He worked with Mauro Bigonzetti during his ballet career, and their renewed artistic collaboration gave the Zagreb ensemble a new experience and an opportunity to work with one of Europe’s most important contemporary choreographers.
“For the beginning of my first season at the helm of the CNT Ballet, I wanted to choose works that would present our ensemble with new artistic and performance challenges while also introducing audiences to a different choreographic sensibility. I have known Mauro Bigonzetti from the period of my international ballet career and have great respect for his work, which is why I am particularly pleased that we opened the season with his works. Our dancers demonstrated great dedication, energy and artistic maturity, while the several-minute ovation from the audience was the finest recognition of their work and the success of the entire creative team and ensemble. This premiere is a strong start to the season and an incentive for us to continue developing the ensemble, expanding its repertoire and building the CNT Ballet as a place of outstanding artistry and new creative encounters,” Denis Matvienko, Artistic Director of the Ballet of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb said.
Premiere Cast
In the premiere performance of Kazimir’s Colours, the duet was performed by Natalia Kosovac and Yuho Yoshioka, with Miruna Miciu in the role of the Whistling Girl. The following dancers performed in pairs: Miruna Miciu, Taiguara Goulart, Hinako Shinzaki, Samuele Berbenni, Sara Zanzon, Solomon Osayi Osazuva, Rizumu Tanaka, Mario Diligente, Leda Savin, Pavel Savin, Diana Laura Montes Mota, Simon Yoshida, Saya Ikegami, Thomas Boddington, Helena Troha and Giovanni Messeri.
In Rossini Cards, the duet Ouf! Les Petits Pois was performed by Iva Vitić Gameiro and Pavel Savin, while the String Trio featured Lucija Radić Pálinkó, Samuele Berbenni and Mario Diligente. Hinako Shinzaki performed the solo Prélude Fugassé, and Lucija Radić Pálinkó performed Maccheroni alla Rossini, while Agnese Stancanelli and Helena Troha danced the Duetto Inoffensivo.
The ensemble featured Iva Vitić Gameiro, Hinako Shinzaki, Lucija Radić Pálinkó, Helena Troha, Agnese Stancanelli, Atina Tanović, Rizumu Tanaka, Sara Zanzon, Pavel Savin, Samuele Berbenni, Mario Diligente, Simon Yoshida, Takahiro Tamagawa, Mario Charlo Sobrino, Thomas Boddington and Giovanni Messeri.
