Prior to a torrential, tropical downpour upon this outdoor event, we were warmly welcomed by Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet, Li Cunxin AO and Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Adrian Schrinner. Li cut quite a fine figure in his Aubergine suit while Adrian opted for blue jeans and brown boots.
Yanela Pinera and Joe Chapman opened with a Pas de Deux originally choreographed by the esteemed founder of Queensland Ballet Company, Charles Lisner. This piece was set to Chopin’s Piano Concerto in F minor, which is at larghetto pace.
Throughout the dance, Yanela Pinera, athletically and exquisitely flowed as fluidly as her silken, white dress. However, First Company dancer, Joe Chapman seemed somewhat wooden, possibly burdened by the responsibility of keeping safe his principal ballerina. Chapman’s technique, timing and strength triumphed as he succeeded in executing this piece with its constant series of lifts and catches.
The Don Quixote Wedding Pas de Deux from Act II, choreographed by French/Russian dancer, Marius Petipa to music by Austrian composer, Ludwig Minkus was divine! Brilliantly performed by Principal dancers, Lucy Green and Victor Estevez, it’s a performance I will never forget.
Petipa chose to push ballet dancers to the edge of their performance limits when he choreographed this work. He challenged them with immense technical difficulty requiring razor-sharp precision as they risked life and limbs whilst remaining exquisitely poised and beautiful.
The perfectly performed execution of this gloriously dangerous dance confirmed the world class calibre of these principal dancers of Queensland Ballet Company.
The exquisite tutu was designed by Zoe Griffiths. I had to push aside selfish, intrusive thoughts of myself attending QPAC performances in an evening gown version and focus instead on my analysis for this review.
Rain is a transient event which does not wash away the inherent talent which is owned by a cohesive company of excellent dancers supported by a team of professionals. I look forward to further performances by Queensland Ballet Company in 2021.
Ballet on the Lawn
Riverstage – Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, 59 Gardens Point Road, Brisbane
Performance: Saturday 17 April 2021
Information: www.queenslandballet.com.au
Image: Artists of the Queensland Ballet – photo by David Kelly
Review: Michele-Rose Boylan