The 2021 season for The Australian Ballet is the first programmed by incoming Artistic Director David Hallberg.
The shows throughout the season include much-loved story ballets, 20th century classics and new commissions aiming to inspire and energise audiences.
Opening things up is 'Summertime At The Ballet', a welcome-back gala for ballet lovers and families. Next is an exhilarating triple bill called 'New York Dialects', featuring two acclaimed works from George Balanchine and a new contemporary commissions by New York-based choreographer Pam Tanowitz.
To showcase the company's versatility, David Hallberg has included double bill 'Counterpointe', counterposing the elegant 'Raymonda' with the vigour and dynamism of 'Artifact Suite' by William Forsythe.
Newly-commissioned 'Anna Karenina' by Yuri Possokhov was originally scheduled to premiere in 2020, but will grace the 2021 season and captivate audiences in Melbourne and Adelaide. Then, John Cranko's 'Romeo And Juliet', a retelling of the tragic Shakespeare story, will be performed in Melbourne and Sydney.
To close off the season, The Australian Ballet and American Ballet Theatre's co-production of 'Harlequinade' will feature comedic hijinks and madcap characters.
'Romeo And Juliet' – Image © Pierre Toussaint
“I am immensely thrilled and inspired to be stepping into the role of Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet and am proud to unveil the season we have curated for 2021,” David Hallberg says. “I have had a close relationship with The Australian Ballet for ten years; a world- class institution, which I greatly admire.”
“I look forward to nurturing the artists of this company into this new era under my artistic leadership. After 20 years at the helm, David McAllister is leaving The Australian Ballet in great shape and I am honoured to have the opportunity to take the reins and pioneer new possibilities built on this foundation.
“With the challenges this year has brought, art and performance are more relevant than ever and I, along with the entire company, look forward to bringing the joy of dance back in 2021.”
The Australian Ballet's 2021 season kicks off with 'Summertime At The Ballet'.
