From Strauss to Morricone: National Theatre of Opera and Ballet’s October highlights

The National Theatre of Opera, Ballet, and Folk Ensemble (TKOBAP) has announced a vibrant October program filled with international premieres, gala evenings, and performances ranging from classical symphonies to contemporary dance.

The program opens on October 2 with “Come Sing with Us”, an educational project for children conducted by Dritan Lumshi with pianist Ingrid Pulizo, designed to introduce the youngest audiences to music through participation and play.

On October 7, the Concert Hall will host “From Bach to Blues”, a recital blending classical tradition with modern soundscapes, performed by violinist Caroline Adomeit and pianist Fatma Spahiu.

The centerpiece of the month arrives on October 9, when acclaimed violinist Giuseppe Gibboni makes his absolute premiere in Tirana with the TKOBAP Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of maestro Sergio Alapont, with the support of the Armed Forces Symphony Orchestra.

A day later, on October 10, the TKOBAP Choir will perform “Classical Night Music”, conducted by Dritan Lumshi with concertmaster Ingrid Pulizo, bringing a rich choral repertoire to the stage.

Modern dance will take the spotlight on October 11 and 12, when TKOBAP presents “PULS”, a production featuring Radian40° by Edi Blloshmi, Falling Angels by Jirí Kylián, and Troy Game by Robert North. At the same time, the Folk Ensemble will represent Albania abroad with performances in Bolzano and Rovereto, Italy.

On October 12, pianist Frida Bollani will perform a premiere recital at the Concert Hall, bringing her unique artistry to Tirana. The international presence of TKOBAP continues on October 13, when its Symphony Orchestra, alongside the Armed Forces Symphony Orchestra, will perform at the Respighi Festival in Bologna, again under the direction of Sergio Alapont with Giuseppe Gibboni as soloist.

Dance returns on October 15 with “Notte Morricone”, choreographed by Marcos Morau to the unforgettable music of Ennio Morricone, a production that bridges cinema, music, and choreography.

A highlight of the month is set for October 18, with a gala evening dedicated to the renowned Albanian director Nikolin Gurakuqi, marking his 70th birthday and honoring his legacy on the national stage.

On October 22, audiences will experience “Alegorías”, directed and choreographed by Paula Comitre, followed on October 25 by “Bate Fado”, created by Jonas and Lander, blending traditional Portuguese music with contemporary dance expression.

Chamber music will take the stage in the final week of the month, beginning with a recital on October 27, featuring cellist Ejona Nako and pianist Viola Paço in a duo performance.

A major international event follows on October 28, when the Vienna Philharmonic arrives in Tirana to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Austrian composer Johann Strauss, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, the International Cultural Weeks, and the Austrian Embassy.

The month concludes on October 29 with a symphonic concert as part of the Kosmos Festival, conducted by Olha Dondyk and featuring soloists Jonian Ilias Kadesha on violin, Vashti Hunter on cello, and Noam Greenberg on piano.