La Sylphide will be performed at the Sydney Opera House 8 - 28 April

Classics from the Romantic period as a tribute to August Bournonville

This programme of works by, and inspired by, the Danish master choreographer August Bournonville is The Australian Ballet’s 2005 heritage presentation. Built around his signature work La Sylphide, this programme celebrates Bournonville’s unique choreographic style and the 200th anniversary of his birth.

Born in Copenhagen in 1805 to dancer Antoine Bournonville, he is considered to be one of the most influential choreographers of the 19th century. He studied at The Royal Danish Ballet School, a pupil of both his father and Vincenzo Galeotti, founder of The Royal Danish Ballet. In 1826 he joined the Paris Opera becoming Marie Taglioni’s favourite partner. Taglioni was a member of the famous Italian family of ballet dancers and choreographers.

aaaaPhoto© Australian Ballet

In 1829 Bournonville returned to The Royal Danish Ballet as leading male soloist and chief choreographer and continued to perform with the company until his retirement from the stage in 1848. He was the company’s director until his retirement in 1877, having built The Royal Danish Ballet into one of the world’s top companies. He was greatly influenced by his years in Paris where he absorbed the ideals of the Romantic period, and this inspiration informed the basis of the Danish repertoire that is still internationally recognised as exquisite and unique. His is a style that is marked by the buoyancy of its technique, the warmth of its characterisations, and the grace of
its presentation.

Bournonville’s legacy has been carefully preserved in Denmark, and still fascinates and excites dancers and audiences more than a century after his death.

The performance of La Sylphide will be complemented by a special selection of short pieces showcasing the Bournonville choreographic style, and including Le Conservatoire, Grand Tarantella, and the pas de deux from The Flower Festival in Genzano.

A former Principal Artist of The Australian Ballet, Walter Bourke performed and choreographed for many companies around the world before becoming well known as a restaurateur and proprietor of Melbourne’s Walter’s Wine Bar. With this presentation of his Bournonville inspired work, we salute Walter, who passed away in 2003.

The critics are raving about The Australian Ballet’s La Sylphide programme:

" The Australian Ballet does full justice to a great Dane...a triumph...The Australian Ballet comes up trumps....terrific performances..." The Age

“… .an engaging evening…” Canberra Times

“… never performed better…” The Australian

BOOKINGS

In Person: Sydney Opera House Box Office Monday to Saturday 9am to 8.30pm

Phone & Charge: 9250 7777 (all major credit cards accepted)

Online: sydneyoperahouse.com

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