Massimo Ambrosetti, Italian Ambassador to China gives his remarks on January 19, 2026. Photos: Dong Feng/GT

Two famed Italian productions, Don Quixote and The Blake Works, are set to be staged at the China National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in mid-January, the Italian Institute of Culture announced at an event on Monday.

The Italian Institute of Culture on Monday hosted "From Milan to Beijing," an introduction to the upcoming performances of Don Quixote and The Blake Works by Milan's famed La Scala Ballet, which is the world-renowned Ballet Company of Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. Massimo Ambrosetti, Italian Ambassador to China, told the Global Times that as one of Italy's top arts institutions, the Ballet Company of Teatro alla Scala symbolizes the country's artistic identity.

In his remarks, Ambassador Ambrosetti quoted Stendhal, a French novelist, who wrote in his memoirs during a trip to Italy: "I just stepped out of the Ballet Company of Teatro alla Scala, and to my honest conscience, my admiration was in no way diminished."

Ambassador Ambrosetti added that following 2025, when the two countries celebrated the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations, events, exhibitions and more cultural activities will be held to enhance the in-depth people-to-people exchanges between China and Italy. 

Federico Antonelli (2nd from left), director of the Italian Institute of Culture in China, chairs a panel discussion in Beijing on January 19, 2026.

Federico Antonelli, director of the Italian Institute of Culture in China, who chaired the session, said this marked the seventh tour of the La Scala Ballet in China, adding that the performances could serve as a window for Chinese audiences to get to know Milan.

Director Antonelli chaired a panel discussion with delegates from the La Scala Ballet. 

Delegates included Paolo Gavazzeni, artistic coordinator of Teatro alla Scala, Frédéric Olivieri, art director of the Ballet Company of Teatro alla Scala, Nicoletta Manni, etoile of the Ballet Company of Teatro alla Scala and Timofej Andrijashenko, principal dancer of the Ballet Company of Teatro alla Scala.

Paolo Gavazzeni, artistic coordinator of Teatro alla Scala, told the Global Times that the La Scala Ballet was first featured in China in 2006. 

"Through international tours, the La Scala Ballet can present Italian arts to audiences in different countries, and we also hope to showcase our artistic standards and level. The performances are definitely original," Gavazzeni said. 

Frédéric Olivieri, art director of the Ballet Company of Teatro alla Scala, previously served in the same role in 2006 and reassumed the position this year. Olivieri told the Global Times that the members of the La Scala Ballet know that the Chinese audiences are very passionate. The works to be staged - the classic masterpiece Don Quixote and the modern ballet The Blake Works - will showcase the fusion of Italian artistic tradition and contemporary sensibility.

This year's performances will showcase the cooperation between the China NCPA Orchestra, one of the most dynamic orchestras in the country, and the La Scala Ballet. 

 The La Scala Ballet has just completed 14 rehearsals.

"We are really pleased to present our classical works to audiences in China," Olivieri said, describing the upcoming performances as embodying excellence, honesty and artistry. 

Talking about his observations of China and s Chinese audiences, Olivieri said "I see the evolution of the lives in the city, and of the society. Chinese audience are very appreciative and really enthusiastic."  

Don Quixote will be staged at the NCPA from January 21-23 and The Blake Works, on January 24-25.