Queensland Ballet Season 2022 Launch

October 14, 2021

 


I felt like Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady as I could have danced all night and day following Queensland Ballet’s (QB) launch of their 2022 Season. Needless to say I was thrilled to be invited to the exclusive unveiling of their iconic season in the Concert Hall at Queensland’s Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and quick to organise my tickets with fellow balletomanes. 

At QB’s launch Artistic Director Li Cunxin AO wooed his eager audience on next year’s repertoire and provided tempting tasters of what to look forward to next year. 

It will be 10 years since Li lifted QB into an international standard of dance. His passion emanated from the stage and touched our hearts as he talked about his big dreams for the company and developing his dancers into world-class performers. I see this Season as a celebration of the incredible talents of our dancers and Academy student, and production, wardrobe, artistic and business teams, all of whom collaborate each day to produce this magic.  

Li continued with infectious enthusiasm as he proudly announced the redevelopment of their heritage-listed home, the Thomas Dixon Centre, now Brisbane’s new cultural hub. 

Season 2022 Program

Our first performance at the Playhouse, QPAC in April 2022 is a long standing quintessential favourite, Giselle. A supernatural tale of passion, vengeance and the power of love that has held audiences spellbound since its premiere in 19th century Paris, France.   

In June Li has chosen three works to reflect this special anniversary year. Natalie Weir, QB’s Resident Choreographer and Greg Horsman Chief Ballet Master have created so many magical ballets and now a Queensland premiere by Sir Kenneth MacMillan. 

Weir’s We Who Are Left is a deeply emotive war-themed work inspired by the music of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, while Greg’s Glass Concerto captures the pulse and escalating intensity of the brilliant music of Philip Glass, and the lively ragtime ballet Elite Syncopations by Sir Kenneth, with music by the ‘King of Ragtime’ Scott Joplin plus many others, is, quite simply, entertainment at its best.

Bespoke returns in July for its fifth season and will explore the vibrant chemistry between ballet and contemporary dance. In celebration of the opening of their new theatre at the Thomas Dixon Centre, Australian choreographers Greg Horsman, Petros Treklis, and Stephanie Lake will collaborate with dancers and artists to create three compelling world premières.

Also at the Thomas Dixon Centre, QB will finally premiere their children’s ballet Peter and the Wolf. Choreographed by local Greg Horsman, families of all ages will love this charming tale of the young boy scout, a sly wolf, an unlucky duck, and a graceful bird. 

The wonderfully enticing Manon will be performed in September to October. Set in Paris and New Orleans we will be swept away by renowned Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s iconic work. It features themes of love, conflict, greed, passion and ambition. 

I was even more excited to hear Li and his equally talented wife Mary Li will be performing Manon on stage together for select shows. It may be the last opportunity to see them dancing together, a performance I cannot miss. It reminds me of years gone by when Rudolph Nureyev and Margo Fonteyn danced on stage together with the Australian Ballet. 

Queensland Ballet Academy Gala with our rising stars of dance will be demonstrating their technical fitnesse and equisite artistry performing during May, August and December.  

Of course it would be remiss of QB if audiences were not treated to a Christmas special and it is one of my favourites, The Nutcracker, a perfect gift for young and old.  

But not all performances will be held in Brisbane. Gold Coast Home of the Arts (HOTA) have a dream fulfilled. Now partnered with Queensland Ballet for the coming years they begin their exclusive season performing The Sleeping Beauty in February 2022 at HOTA and the joyous fun of the 60’s to toe taping tunes in Moonlight Ballet early November 2022. 

Tickets are available now with generous flexibility to suit your lifestyle and budget

To see more download the Season 2022 Program Season2022PROGRAM-web-min.pdf (queenslandballet.com.au) and browse the abundance of options for shows and bookings that includes QB Membership, Youth Memberships, Packages with special discounts, Concessions, Under 30yrs and Children’s tickets.  There is ballet for all.

Queensland Ballet where Every Step is an Iconic Story

www.queenslandballet.com.au   Ticketing Office (07) 3014 6666    Email mail@queenslandballet.com.au   #QueenslandBallet   @qldballet

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