Aki Saito And Wim Vanlessen Retire From Royal Ballet Flanders With Gala Performances

Award winning principals Aki Saito and Wim Vanlessen will this season be leaving Royal Ballet Flanders, the company in which they have for almost 25 years built up their splendid careers. Aki Saito will be saying farewell in the title role in Giselle and a gala performance, while Wim Vanlessen will for his final production be reviving Béjart's Boléro and will also take leave of the audience in a gala.

They can with good reason be called the stars of Royal Ballet Flanders. For almost 25 years they have danced, sometimes together, in classical ballet, and neo-classical and contemporary pieces. Sleeping Beauty, Onegin, Artifact, In the Middle Somewhat Elevated, Impressing The Czar, Swan Lake, Fall, Chronicle, Spartacus...: this is just a selection of the productions in which they received praise from the international press, audiences and choreographers. More than once were they hailed as best dancer in the lists of the international ballet magazines.

This season they are taking leave of Ballet Vlaanderen to start a new chapter in their lives. Royal Ballet Flanders will not let this pass unnoticed.

Although they have danced together for many years, as artists they will be saying farewell to their audiences separately. Ballet Vlaanderen is giving them both the chance to shine once more in two exceptional productions.

Aki Saito will take leave in the title role in Giselle. This is the impressive English National Ballet production choreographed by Akram Khan that will premiere at Opera Ghent on 16 October.

The last performance at Opera Antwerp, on Saturday 10 November, will be a gala performance in which Aki Saito will perform for the last time and will be fully honoured. Wim Vanlessen will be her Albrecht in this performance. This will be the last chance to see them dance together.

'This is naturally an emotional moment,' says Aki Saito, 'But I look back at the past 25 years with gratitude and great warmth. I look forward to being able to pass my experience on to a new and talented generation. I want to celebrate my departure with the audience, my fans and the people I love. I am also very glad and excited that I can take leave of the audience and fans in this powerful and emotional production of Giselle.'

Wim Vanlessen will be bidding the audience farewell in Maurice Béjart's Boléro, which will premiere at the Stadsschouwburg in Antwerp on 25 January. Two years ago Wim was already standing on that iconic red table and received international praise for his performance. So when Ballet Vlaanderen asked him in which role he would like to celebrate his departure, the choice was easy. The performance on Saturday 2 February will also be a festive farewell gala for him.

'Having been principal dancer and the face of Royal Ballet Flanders for the past 25 years has been both a challenge and a privilege. I thank the company for their commitment and trust and the public for their unwavering support', says Wim Vanlessen. 'I look forward to embark on new adventures and embracing opportunities as they arise. I am excited to share my extensive experience and knowledge with the world.'

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