Audiences can expect an emotional and captivating journey through dance when Queensland Ballet presents its highly anticipated 60th Anniversary Gala at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) from 5 March 2021.
From Jacqui Carroll’s powerful and exhilarating Carmina Burana, to François Klaus’ nostalgic Cloudland, the Company will rewind the clock to present its most beloved works.
On April 29, 1960, Charles Lisner presented The First Season of the Lisner Ballet at the Academy Theatre in Brisbane. With a Company of 11 dancers in tow, Lisner commenced the first step of a journey that would see the small and humble ballet company grow to 60 Company dancers, known today as Queensland Ballet.
In a celebratory season that is equal parts heritage and future, Queensland Ballet will pay tribute to the contributions of the Company’s five illustrious Artistic Directors; Charles Lisner OBE, Harry Haythorne MBE, Harold Collins MBE, François Klaus and Li Cunxin AO.
Artistic Director Li Cunxin AO says audiences can expect a night of incredible works, with excerpts from Lisner’s Chopin Pas de Deux, Harold Collin’s Lady of the Camellias and Harold Lander’s Etudes, to name a few.
“This truly is a performance brimming with treasures. In 2021 we celebrate our achievements, we reflect our history, and we look towards the future and plot what we want to accomplish in the next 60 years,” said Mr Li. “After a challenging 2020, to be able to celebrate our Company with our loyal patrons and fans means more than you could imagine.”
“We are delighted to confirm Ako Kondo & Chengwu Guo from the Australian Ballet will be performing the iconic Don Quixote Pas de Deux at the 60th Anniversary Gala performances on 9 and 10 March.”
Queensland Ballet has put the call out to people wishing to share their stories about the Company over the past six decades.
“We really want to hear your stories, your fondest, most surprising or funniest memories, the things that you’re reminded of when you watch a performance or the thing you love most about being part of the Queensland Ballet family,” said Mr Li.
Accompanied by Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, the music will transcend from Carl Orff’s bold Carmina Burana, to Jule Massenet’s delicate and emotive Meditation, certain to have audiences captivated as they experience the magic onstage.
60th Anniversary Gala – full list of works:
Chopin Pas de Deux
Choregraphed in 1965 by founding Artistic Director Charles Lisner OBE, this piece is a beautiful expression of the intense connection between two dancers.
Music: Concerto no.2 for Piano in F minor (Larghetto) by Frédéric Chopin
Piano Soloist: Roger Longjie Cui
Cloudland – Pas de Deux, Act II
Francois Klaus’ 2004 Cloudland explores the themes of love and loss that centred around Brisbane city’s iconic Cloudland Ballroom.
Music: Jules Massenet, Meditation from Thaïs
Orchestration: Nigel Gaynor
Stager: Rachael Walsh
Carmina Burana – Tavern Scene
In 1983 with Jaqui Caroll as resident-choreographer, Queensland Ballet saw her translate Carl Orff”s Cantata. Inspired by earthy and erotic medieval poetry, in Carmina Burana, the 60th Anniversary Gala will once again invite audiences to engage in the vitality of light, sound, colour and movement in the rowdy Taberna.
Choreographer: Jacqui Carrol
Music: Carl Orff, Camina Burana
Piano Soloist: Roger Longjie Cui
Stager: Anthony Shearsmith, Jayden Grogan
The Lady of the Camellias – Pas de Deux, Act II
Choregraphed by former Artistic Director Harold Collins’ MBE, The Lady of Camellias tells of the unrequited love.
Music: Giuseppe Verdi, La Traviata
Original Arranger: Graeme Young
Orchestration: Nigel Gaynor
Stager: Michelle White (nèe Giammichele)
Don Quixote Pas de Deux – Wedding Pas de Deux, Act III
Adapted from choreography by Marius Petipa, the Don Quixote Pas de Deux is considered one of the most challenging pieces for classical ballet dancers. It requires precision, technical brilliance, musicality, Spanish flare and artistry to all come together at once.
Music: Ludwig Minkus
Orchestration: Nigel Gaynor
The Little Mermaid – Finale
Demonstrating Queensland Ballet’s depth in this retrospective season includes the delicate and poignant finale from The Little Mermaid, as choreographed by François Klaus.
Music: John Sebastian Bach, Air in G
Original Arranger: Graham Young
Orchestration: Nigel Gaynor
Stager: Claire Phippes-Males
Études
The suite of works concludes with Harald Lander’s masterful homage to classical ballet, Études, showcasing an evolved and mature Company under current Artistic Director, Li Cunxin AO.
Music: Knudaage Riisager after Carl Czerny
Staged by: Johnny Eliasen
Artistic Stager: Lise Lander
Queensland Ballet’s 60th Anniversary Gala
Playhouse – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Cultural Precinct, South Bank (Brisbane)
Season: 5 – 20 March 2021
Bookings: www.qpac.com.au
For more information, visit: www.queenslandballet.com.au for details.
Image: courtesy of Queensland Ballet