[Bracco S.p.A.] Italian ballet puts on a spectacular performance at EXPO 2025! Towards a Sustainable Future Through Culture and the Arts
Bracco S.p.A. Press Release: September 15, 2025 Italian ballet puts on a spectacular performance at EXPO 2025! Towards a Sustainable Future Through Culture and the Arts With the support of the Bracco Group, a Gold Sponsor of the Italian Pavilion at EXPO 2025, young ballet dancers from the Teatro alla Scala Academy in Milan performed on Italy’s National Day at the Osaka Expo on September 12th. Accompanied by music by Gioachino Rossini and Nino Rota, the festival thrilled international audiences with masterpieces from the La Scala Academy’s contemporary repertoire. Meanwhile, as part of the Fuori Expo (off-site event), the Bracco Foundation will be hosting a graphic exhibition titled “Milan Through Leonardo’s Eyes” (Milano con gli occhi di Leonardo) at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo until October 13th. September 12, 2025, Her Imperial Highness Princess Mikasa, Prince Tomohito; Ken Akamatsu, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Alessandro Giuli, Minister of Culture of the Italian Republic; Gianluigi Benedetti, Ambassador of Italy to Japan; Mario Vattani, Executive Director of the Italian Pavilion; and Bracco Imaging Vice Chairman and CEO. In the presence of Fulvio Renoldi Bracco and Luisa Vinci, president of the La Scala Academy, students from the La Scala Ballet School, led by Frederic Olivieri, performed a dazzling show at the Opening Ceremony of Italy’s National Day, held at the Shinehut Hall of the Osaka Kansai Expo. Approximately 20 students took to the stage at the Opening Ceremony of Italy’s National Day, presenting contemporary dance pieces requiring advanced technique and artistry, such as “La strada” (choreographed by Mario Pistoni) and “Rossini Cardo” (choreographed by Mauro Bigonzetti).
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innovation, expand access to healthcare, and create value for patients and communities.” “It is a great source of pride for us that the students of La Scala Academy were able to perform at the Osaka Expo,” said Frederic Olivieri, director of La Scala Ballet. “It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase to the world the talent and passion of a new generation of Italian dance, and a testament to our Academy’s educational mission and excellence.” For the students of La Scala Ballet School, the experience in Japan will be both artistically and personally invaluable. Meanwhile, for the Academy, of which the Bracco Foundation is a founding partner, this was an important opportunity to further deepen its long-standing relationship with the New National Theatre, Tokyo. Over the past decade, talented singers and dancers from the NNTT’s Opera Studio and Ballet School have attended master classes and training courses at the Accademia di Milano, fostering a fruitful cultural exchange that has helped to raise awareness of the traditions and prestige of Italian dance in Japan. For example, Japanese mezzo-soprano Aya Wakizono is currently performing at La Scala in Rossini’s “La Cenerentola,” which is part of the Academy’s 2025 program. In addition, as part of Fuori Expo (off-site events), the Bracco Foundation’s graphic exhibition “Milan Through Leonardo’s Eyes” will be held at the Italian Embassy in Mita, Minato Ward, Tokyo, until October 13th. This exhibition celebrates the path of Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci and its connection to Milan’s historical heritage. Five young graduates of La Scala Academy photographed Milan’s most iconic buildings. Leonardo da Vinci continues to embody the unparalleled combination of artistic talent and scientific curiosity that is one of the foundations of the globally beloved “Made in Italy” brand. It is also very significant that Leonardo continues to stimulate dialogue and exchange between experts from both countries on how science and culture can improve the quality of life, with a particular focus on the theme of ageing societies.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/161001/4/161001-4-396ac33372a7edb1c8618fba532faa15-2910×864.png A production directed by Frederic Olivieri and performed by the La Scala Academy School of Dance at EXPO 2025 “Italian National Day” The Appeal of Fellini’s Film “La Strada” Based on Federico Fellini’s masterpiece, this work opens with a refined poetic sentiment. At its premiere at La Scala, Carla Fracci’s moving and poignant performance as Gelsomina, along with Pistoni’s innocent and melancholic
performance as “Matt” (Pagliacci), remain unforgettable. Since then, the role of Gelsomina has been taken on by such renowned actors as Oriella Dorella and Alessandra Ferri, and the work has enjoyed a fortunate run. In this performance, dreamlike characters from Fellini’s imaginary world appear on stage one after another, and the performance progresses from a festive opening tango to a cheerful dance by the sandwich girls, a lyrical and intense pas de deux by Gelsomina and the Clown, and a poetic scene with the Pierrots. Excerpt from “The Road (Suite)” Choreography: Mario Pistoni ・Choreography for the Revival: Guido Pistoni ・Music: Nino Rota ・Choreographic
Assistants: Paola Vismara, Tatiana Nikonova, Walter Madau Lighting: Andrea Giletti The dynamism of “Rossini Cards” Created by Mauro Bigonzetti in 2004, Rossini Cards unleashes the constraints of narrative, unfolding as a series of snapshots of parallel lives. It’s a woven mix of visions, fragments, rich symbolism, and playful humor. The vibrant energy of these young dancers complements the piece’s underlying dynamism, bringing Rossini’s music’s precise yet driving rhythms to life through physical expression. Rossini’s signature crescendos become an infectious corps de ballet, and everyone, clad in jackets, pants, and black berets, dances across gender lines. Excerpt from “Rossini Cards” Choreography: Mauro Bigonzetti ・Choreography for the Revival: Roberto Zamorano ・Music: Gioachino Rossini ・Lighting: Carlo Celli ・ Choreography assistant: Walter Madau
＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ About The Bracco Group Groupe Bracco is a world-leading diagnostic imaging technology company in the life sciences sector. Founded in 1927, the company operates in over 100 countries, with total sales of 1.8 billion euros (88% of which is international), 3,800 employees, more than 2,000 patents, and invests more than 10% of its sales in research and development each year. https://www.bracco.com/ja