As the new era of the company continues to evolve under the guidance of Artistic Director David Hallberg, The Australian Ballet has announced its 2022 season. This is an important time in The Australian Ballet’s history, as the company returns to the stage resilient, invigorated and strong.
Audiences will be delighted that the much-anticipated productions that The Australian Ballet was unable to perform due to COVID restrictions in 2021 will be seen in 2022, alongside bold new contemporary works, both international and homegrown, that have yet to been seen in Australia.
The delayed seasons include the much-anticipated epic story ballets Romeo and Juliet and Anna Karenina, which will be performed on Melbourne and Sydney stages in 2022.
Harlequinade will be performed in Melbourne exclusively, bringing audiences commedia dell’arte at its most joyful and humorous, and the powerful program of contrasts, Counterpointe, will be performed in an Adelaide-exclusive season.
In keeping with Hallberg’s vision of bringing the best of today’s works from around the world to our audiences and dancers, 2022 will also feature a feast of contemporary work, including the epic Kunstkamer.
Created at Nederlands Dans Theater by four of today’s most in-demand choreographers, this vast work has never before been performed by another company. In a great coup for Hallberg and the dancers of The Australian Ballet, Kunstkamer will be premiering in Sydney before heading to Melbourne.
The exciting contemporary triple bill Instruments of Dance, which will be performed in Melbourne and Sydney, explores the relationship between 21st-century music and 21st-century dancemakers and features landmark works by the resident choreographers of The Royal Ballet and New York City Ballet alongside a new commission from our own resident choreographer, Alice Topp.
Justin Peck’s rousing work for 25 dancers, Everywhere We Go, gives refined ballet technique a contemporary zest that pulses with New York energy, and Obsidian Tear by British choreographer Wayne McGregor, known for its deeply intellectual approach that draws from diverse artistic, historical and scientific sources, is a response to two violin works by the renowned Finnish conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen.
“My second season as Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet is presented with an unwavering belief: there is great power in performance, even in the most challenging of times,” said Artistic Director David Hallberg.
“With pride, our dancers will return to the stage, where they will show you that their commitment to this art form is stronger than ever before.”
“We’re so fortunate that we were able to reschedule Romeo and Juliet, Anna Karenina and Harlequinade into the 2022 season; we have worked so hard on getting these productions ready for the stage.”
“Kunstkamer marks a new horizon for The Australian Ballet, it will be one of the most ambitious contemporary dance productions ever to appear in the company’s repertoire.”
“Instruments of Dance will feature work from my friend and former collaborator Justin Peck; Wayne McGregor, with whom I know from The Royal Ballet; and Alice Topp, who is quickly becoming one of the strongest voices in Australian dance. It’s with these works that we will come back to theatres with gratitude, energy and drive,” says Mr Hallberg.
The Australian Ballet’s 2022 activities will also include a range of participatory and informative events, and the company’s Education and Outreach program will tour to schools across the country.
A Storytime Ballet for children will tour across selected cities and the Regional Tour, which will encompass additional community events and engagement, returns to Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
“The past two years have been the most challenging in our history, but today we’re very optimistic as we look ahead to 2022,” said Executive Director Libby Christie. “It gives us immense pride to be revealing a rich, diverse line-up of ballet seasons next year for our patient and loyal audiences.”
“In this 2022 season we will experience David’s vision for artistic exploration in partnership with the best of today’s creatives. I know these ballets will delight both our dancers and audiences. The entire company looks forward to welcoming our audiences back safely into theatres in 2022.”
“We can’t wait and can assure everyone that we are committed to working closely with our venue partners to protect our dancers and audiences and ensure they have a brilliant experience in 2022,” said Ms Christie.
2022 Season Packages for Melbourne and Sydney performances are available to purchase from 27 October 2021. For more information, visit: www.australianballet.com.au for details.
Image: Imogen Chapman will feature in The Australian Ballet’s production of Anna Karenina – photo by Simon Eeles