FRANKFURT, Germany – Prepare to witness something truly magical as the world's greatest ballet dancers come together in Frankfurt this November for Ballet Brilliance Gala. This enchanting evening will unfold on Sunday, 30 November 2025, at 19:00 at the prestigious Jahrhunderthalle Frankfurt.

Curated by Mariana Gomes, currently regarded as one of the world's leading ballet gala curators, and presented by Artform Productions, which has successfully produced acclaimed galas across Europe, this magical evening promises a perfectly crafted program that transforms each artist's unique gifts into pure theatrical magic.

This remarkable gala brings together an extraordinary collection of international ballet stars, led by four exceptional principal dancers from Europe's most distinguished ballet houses. David Motta Soares of Staatsballet Berlin, Riho Sakamoto of Dutch National Ballet Amsterdam, Maya Makhateli of Dutch National Ballet Amsterdam, and Constantine Allen of Dutch National Ballet Amsterdam headline this stellar cast, joined by acclaimed artists from renowned theatres including The Royal Ballet London, Dutch National Ballet Amsterdam, Paris Opera Ballet, and featuring innovative contemporary performers. Each artist brings mastery of their craft, creating a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical experience that seamlessly blends classical excellence with contemporary innovation.

Featured Artists
The evening will showcase the artistry of dancers from Europe's most prestigious ballet institutions:

Principal Stars

• David Motta Soares (Principal Ballet Dancer, Staatsballet Berlin)
• Riho Sakamoto (Principal Ballet Dancer, Dutch National Ballet, Amsterdam)
• Maya Makhateli (Principal Ballet Dancer, Dutch National Ballet, Amsterdam)
• Constantine Allen (Principal Ballet Dancer, Dutch National Ballet, Amsterdam)
• Timothy van Poucke (Principal Ballet Dancer, Dutch National Ballet, Amsterdam)
• Ines Mcintosh (Principal Ballet Dancer, Paris Opera Ballet)
• Leo Dixon (First Soloist, The Royal Ballet, London)

Rising Talents
• Viola Pantuso (First Artist, The Royal Ballet, London)

Contemporary Artists

• Travis Clausen-Night (Independent Contemporary)
• James Pett (Independent Contemporary)

Cast is subject to change.

A Magical Evening of Ballet Excellence
Ballet Brilliance Gala represents a rare opportunity for Frankfurt audiences to witness the very best of classical and contemporary ballet artistry in a single, extraordinary evening. Under the visionary curation of Mariana Gomes, these magnificent principal stars will breathe life into some of ballet's most treasured and passionate repertoires, from the exotic allure of Le Corsaire to the fiery drama of Carmen, the romantic tragedy of Romeo & Juliet, the spirited brilliance of Don Quixote, and the captivating story of Esmeralda. These timeless masterpieces will be presented alongside cutting-edge contemporary works by renowned choreographers including Marco Goeke and Hans van Manen, creating an intoxicating blend where classical grandeur meets modern innovation, each piece carefully chosen to reveal the artistry and passion of these extraordinary performers from the world's most celebrated institutions.

Ballet Brilliance Gala promises to be a cultural highlight of Frankfurt's 2025 season, offering dance enthusiasts and newcomers alike the rare opportunity to witness world-class ballet artistry that seamlessly bridges classical tradition and contemporary innovation in one of Germany's most iconic venues.

Event Details
What: Ballet Brilliance Gala
When: Sunday, 30 November 2025, 19:00
Where: Jahrhunderthalle Frankfurt
Presented by: Artform Productions and Mariana Gomes Arts Productions

Ticket Information
Tickets are now available through Eventim and Myticket. Given the exceptional nature of this lineup and limited seating at Jahrhunderthalle Frankfurt, early booking is strongly recommended.

Media Contact:
Antonina Formina: af@art-form.art

About Artform Productions:
ArtForm Production creates unique events in the fields of culture and the arts, with a special focus on classical ballet and contemporary dance. With over 100 distinctive productions across Europe and beyond, ArtForm Production is recognized for its commitment to artistic excellence, cultural innovation, and unforgettable stage experiences.

About Mariana Gomes Arts Productions:
Mariana Gomes Arts Productions is led by one of the world's most respected ballet gala curators. The company specializes in curating world-class ballet galas and managing the world's leading ballet stars, creating extraordinary performances that transform individual artistry into unforgettable theatrical experiences.

David Motta Soares is a Brazilian ballet dancer who began his ballet education at the Regina and Ofelia Corvello Ballet School in 2007.

His dedication led him to the Annual Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive in Middlebury, Connecticut, in 2010, followed by enrollment at the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow at the age of 12.
After graduating in 2015, he rose quickly through the ranks to become a lead soloist at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, where he showcased his exceptional talent in many of the most prominent principal roles.
Noteworthy performances include Don Quixote, Pharaoh’s Daughter, Legend of Love, Orlando, and numerous other acclaimed productions.

In May 2022, David achieved another significant milestone in his career by becoming a principal dancer with the Berlin State Ballet. Throughout his journey, his artistry and dedication have illuminated the stage, earning him admiration worldwide.

In March 2025, David was honored in London at the prestigious Ballet Icons Gala, where he received the award for Outstanding Performer of the Year. He was celebrated for his performance of the Delibes pas de deux by José Martinez, Director of the Paris Opera Ballet, in a memorable partnership with Iana Salienko.

Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, she trained at the Vakhtang Chabukiani State Ballet School and later in the United States with German Zamuel and Valentina Mukhanova. She began her career at Colorado Ballet—dancing Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty at 19 and rising to principal—before joining Birmingham Royal Ballet (2006) and Dutch National Ballet (2007), where she was promoted to principal in 2010. Her repertoire spans leading roles including Aurora (The Sleeping Beauty), Odette/Odile (Swan Lake), Juliet, Giselle, Kitri, Marguerite (La Dame aux Camélias), Clara, Cinderella, and title roles in Mata Hari and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Frida(created in 2020). She has performed works by Hans van Manen, George Balanchine, Wayne McGregor, Ted Brandsen, Rudi van Dantzig and Christopher Wheeldon, and appears worldwide as a guest artist. Honours include the Outstanding Achievement in Ballet Award (Ballet Icons Gala, 2025), Critics’ Choice Dance Europe “Dancer of the Year” (2020), Alexandra Radius Prize (2015), and a Benois de la Danse nomination (2019).

Riho Sakamoto, originally from Nara, Japan, has distinguished herself as a Principal Dancer at the Dutch National Ballet, a role she has embraced since 2014. Her balletic journey commenced at the esteemed Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC, where she honed her craft under rigorous training.

Riho's career trajectory has been marked by notable milestones and accolades. She achieved international recognition early on by clinching the gold medal at the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix in 2010, a testament to her exceptional talent and dedication.

Since joining the Dutch National Ballet, Riho has consistently elevated her artistry, progressing from roles in the Junior Company to Coryphée, Corps de Ballet, and ultimately attaining the esteemed position of Principal Dancer in 2021. During the 2024/25 season, she also performed as a Principal Dancer with the renowned Staatsballett Berlin, dancing in both classical and contemporary works from their repertoire. Her performances have garnered widespread acclaim, with multiple Critics’ Choice Dance Europe awards recognizing her outstanding contributions to the dance world. Notably, she was honored for her captivating portrayals in productions like Pas/Parts 2018 and Blake Works I, solidifying her reputation as a dancer of extraordinary skill and versatility.

Riho Sakamoto continues to inspire audiences globally with her emotive interpretations, technical prowess, and unwavering commitment to the art of ballet. Her journey exemplifies dedication, passion, and an enduring pursuit of excellence in the world of dance.

Born in Woerden, the Netherlands, Timothy van Poucke is a principal dancer with Dutch National Ballet. He joined the company’s Junior Company in 2016 and steadily rose through the ranks: élève (2017), corps de ballet (2018), coryphée (2019), grand sujet (2020), and soloist (2021). In 2023, he was promoted to principal dancer.

Van Poucke trained at the Dutch National Ballet Academy in Amsterdam, where he developed a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary dance. His artistry and stage presence have earned him several awards, including the 2024 Special Prize from Dansersfonds ’79, the Alexandra Radius Prize (2018), and the Incentive Award from Dansersfonds ’79 (2017). He was also nominated for the 2021 Dancer of the Year Award by Dance Europe.

A versatile and expressive performer, van Poucke has danced leading roles in classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote, Raymonda, and Romeo and Juliet. His contemporary repertoire includes works by renowned choreographers, including William Forsythe (The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude), David Dawson (Anima Animus), Jiří Kylián (Wings of Wax), and Wayne McGregor (Chroma).

Throughout his career, van Poucke has had the privilege of working with acclaimed choreographers including David Dawson, Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen, Toer van Schayk, Wayne McGregor, and William Forsythe. His performances continue to captivate audiences both in the Netherlands and internationally.

Hailing from Indianapolis, Constantine spent most of his early life in Hawaii, where he began dancing at the Pacific Ballet Academy in Honolulu at the age of 5.

His talent blossomed early, culminating in a bronze medal at the 2007 Youth America Grand Prix junior category final in New York. This achievement earned him a scholarship to the prestigious Kirov Ballet School, where he studied under Vladimir Dioulouhadze and Anatoli Kucheruk from 2007 to 2010. He repeated his success with another bronze medal in 2008.
In 2010, Constantine decided to explore a different style, studying under Peter Pestov and Tadeusz Matacz at the John Cranko School in Stuttgart. His career soared in 2011 when he won the Grand Prix at the Tanzolymp competition in Berlin.

Fresh out of school, Constantine joined the Stuttgart Ballet as a corps de ballet member. Within six months, he was promoted to demi-soloist and in 2014, achieved the prestigious rank of principal dancer, rising swiftly through the ranks of the company.

Always seeking new challenges, he joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and later became a guest soloist with the Dutch National Ballet. In 2018, Constantine fulfilled a significant milestone by becoming a principal dancer with the Dutch National Ballet, where he continued to enchant audiences with his artistry and skill.

Inès McIntosh is a French ballet dancer and Première Danseuse of the Paris Opera Ballet, known for her refined technique, expressive artistry, and deep connection to the French classical tradition. Born in 2002 in the suburbs of Paris, she discovered her passion for dance after watching a documentary about the Paris Opera Ballet School. At just nine and a half years old, she was admitted to the school, where she trained in the pure tradition of the French style.

Her early promise was evident in solo roles such as Raymonda, Spring and Fall by John Neumeier, and the lead in Les Deux Pigeons by Albert Aveline. A tireless and meticulous worker, she gradually shaped her body and technique to meet the highest standards of classical ballet.

Upon graduating in 2019, Inès joined the Corps de Ballet at the Paris Opera Ballet at the age of 16. Her rise through the ranks was swift: she was promoted to Coryphée in 2021 following her first Concours, and to Sujet just six months later after her second. These early milestones brought her the opportunity to work on prominent soloist roles, including the virtuosic pas de deux from Flamme de Paris.

In 2021, Inès was invited to perform at the prestigious gala Les Hivernales de la Danse, having been selected as the first laureate of the “Exclusive International Ballet Program” directed by Thomas Gallus and Robert Tewsley. That same year, she was awarded First Prize unanimously at the Rudolf Nureyev Competition.

Her artistic development continued to flourish, and in 2023 she was promoted to Première Danseuse. In 2024, she was honored with both the AROP Dance Award and the Prix du Cercle Carpeaux—recognitions that underscore her growing stature within the Paris Opera and the broader ballet world.
With poise, intelligence, and emotional nuance, Inès McIntosh represents the future of French ballet and a new generation of artists carrying forward a legacy of elegance and excellence.

Born in South Africa, Travis Clausen-Knight has developed a distinguished international career as both dancer and choreographer. He has performed for some of the world’s most celebrated choreographers, including Wayne McGregor CBE, Michael Clark, Matthew Bourne, Bawren Tavaziva, Holly Noble, Tim Podesta, and Alexander Whitley. His career has taken him to leading stages worldwide, from Sadler’s Wells and New York City Center to the Bolshoi, Palais Garnier, and Opéra Bastille.

In 2019, Travis left Company Wayne McGregor to pursue his freelance career, establishing a long-standing artistic partnership with James Pett. Together, they founded Pett | Clausen-Knight (PCK Dance), now recognised with multiple National Dance Award nominations (Best Independent Company 2023, Emerging Choreographers 2024). Their repertoire of over 15 works has toured internationally to Sadler’s Wells, Teatro Grande Brescia, Florence Dance Festival, Festival Morelos Danza (Mexico), the Thailand Cultural Centre, the New National Theatre Tokyo, and a three-week tour across China.

As a choreographer, Travis has been recognised with several international awards, including Best Choreography at the Korean International Contemporary Dance Competition (Exposure, 2021), the Audience Award and Best Performance Award at Solocoreografico Festival (Exposure, 2022), and an Honourable Mention for Best Choreography at the New Renaissance Film Festival (A Space Left Blank, 2022).

Recent commissions include new creations for Croatian National Ballet, Ballet de Monterrey (Mexico), Ballet de Santiago (Chile), Phoenix Dance Theatre (UK), and a large-scale collaboration with the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Bangkok.

As a performer, Travis has appeared at the Ballet Icons Gala at the London Coliseum and has been specially invited by the British Council to represent UK dance at major cultural milestones, including the UK Alumni Gala (Kuala Lumpur, 2025) and the 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Indonesia and the UK.

Joseph Sissens is a British ballet dancer and Principal of The Royal Ballet in London. Known for his elegance, versatility, and powerful stage presence, he joined the Company in 2016 after graduating from The Royal Ballet School. He was promoted to First Artist in 2018, Soloist in 2021, First Soloist in 2022, and Principal in 2024.

Born in Cambridge and of Anglo-Caribbean descent, Sissens began his training at the Georgina Pay School of Dance and later studied on scholarship at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. Early in his career, he performed in Oliver! The Musical in the West End and as Fritz in The Nutcracker with English National Ballet. At age 13, he joined The Royal Ballet School, where he appeared in works by Ashton, Bintley, MacMillan, and Peter Wright, showcasing a refined musicality and dramatic sensibility.

As a student, he performed with The Royal Ballet in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, La Fille mal gardée, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, and Giselle. He received second prize at the 2014 Young British Dancer of the Year and second prize at the 2015 Ursula Moreton Choreographic Award for his original work Let My People Go. In 2021, he was honored with the Black British Theatre Award for Best Dance Performance in a Dance Production for The Statement.

With The Royal Ballet, Sissens has created roles in numerous contemporary works, including Crystal Pite’s Flight Patternand Light of Passage, Wayne McGregor’s The Dante Project and Untitled, 2023, Robert Binet’s Dark with Excessive Bright, Void and Fire, and pieces by Kyle Abraham, Joseph Toonga, and Christopher Wheeldon. His classical and dramatic repertory includes leading roles such as Siegfried (Swan Lake), Lensky (Onegin), Espada (Don Quixote), Lescaut (Manon), and Florestan and Bluebird (The Sleeping Beauty), among many others.

A bold and articulate performer with a gift for both classical technique and contemporary expression, Joseph Sissens is emerging as one of the most dynamic and celebrated artists of his generation.

Viola Pantuso is an American ballet dancer and First Artist of The Royal Ballet. She joined the Company as an Aud Jebsen Young Dancer at the start of the 2021/22 Season, became an Artist in 2022/23, and was promoted to First Artist in 2024. Known for her expressive style and musical sensitivity, she is emerging as a distinctive voice among the new generation of Royal Ballet dancers.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Pantuso began her ballet training at the age of three. She studied at the Joffrey Academy of Dance and later at the Ellison Ballet Professional Training Program in New York City, where she earned a silver medal at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Finals. In 2017, she was accepted into The Royal Ballet School at White Lodge and continued through the Upper School, where she was awarded First Prize in the prestigious Lynn Seymour Competition for Expressive Dance.

As a student, Pantuso performed in major productions including La Bayadère, Othello, and The Nutcracker with the Joffrey Ballet, and Le Corsaire with American Ballet Theatre. While at The Royal Ballet School, she danced the lead in Elite Syncopations and performed Ashley Page’s Mephisto Waltz at her graduation. She also appeared in Liam Scarlett’s The Cunning Little Vixen at the Royal Opera House and in Didy Veldman’s Is To Be at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In 2023, Pantuso represented The Royal Ballet at the International Erik Bruhn Prize in Toronto, further affirming her status as one of the Company’s rising talents.

Her repertory with The Royal Ballet includes Perdita (The Winter’s Tale), Clara, Vivandière, and Mirliton (The Nutcracker), along with roles in Mayerling, Manon, Les Rendezvous, The Dream, Everyone Keeps Me, and The Dante Project (The Wrathful). She has created roles in Wayne McGregor’s Untitled, 2023 and Figures in a Landscape, Jessica Lang’s Twinkle, and Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things.

With her combination of lyrical finesse and dramatic versatility, Viola Pantuso continues to captivate audiences and contribute richly to the artistic voice of The Royal Ballet.

James Pett is an award-winning dancer and choreographer based in the UK and working internationally. Originally training as a gymnast, James went on to graduate from Trinity Laban with a first-class degree and the Marion North Award for Outstanding Achievement in Performance. He began his professional career with Richard Alston Dance Company, and in 2013 joined Company Wayne McGregor, touring extensively for several years. That same year, he received the New York Times Award for Best Duet (with Elly Braund) for Richard Alston’s Unfinished Business.

After leaving McGregor’s company in 2019, James pursued a freelance career as both dancer and choreographer. His long-standing artistic partnership with Travis Clausen-Knight led to the formation of Pett | Clausen-Knight (PCK Dance), now recognised with multiple National Dance Award nominations (Best Independent Company 2023, Emerging Choreographers 2024). Together, they have created a repertoire of over 15 works for stage and screen, presented internationally at Sadler’s Wells, Teatro Grande Brescia, Florence Dance Festival, Festival Morelos Danza (Mexico), Thailand Cultural Centre, the New National Theatre Tokyo, and a three-week tour across China.

Recent choreographic highlights include new commissions for Croatian National Ballet, Ballet de Monterrey (Mexico), Ballet de Santiago (Chile), Phoenix Dance Theatre (UK), and an ambitious collaboration with the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Bangkok.

As a performer, James has appeared at the Ballet Icons Gala at the London Coliseum and has been invited by the British Council to represent UK dance at cultural milestones including the UK Alumni Gala (Kuala Lumpur, 2025) and the 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Indonesia and the UK. He has also shared the stage with leading étoiles including Alessandra Ferri, Marie-Agnès Gillot, Mara Galeazzi, and Melissa Hamilton.