China Tour
The 2018 China Tour, The Australian Ballet‘s ninth tour to China, marks the international debut of Artistic Director David McAllister’s dazzling production of The Sleeping Beauty, which is sure to enchant audiences in Beijing and Shanghai, while the company will present the delightful, enduring romance of Maina Gielgud’s Giselle to audiences in Nanjing.
The Australian Ballet has a long and proud history of touring to China. In 1980 it was the first international ballet company to visit China following the Cultural Revolution. Since then, The Australian Ballet has completed eight highly acclaimed tours to China, most recently in 2015. As a result, the company has developed strong relationships with resident Chinese ballet companies, including ex-change programs for dancers and those working behind-the-scenes.
The Australian Ballet continues to celebrate its position as a cultural ambassador for Australia with a high profile history of international touring that has taken the company to 37 countries and 88 cities since it was founded in 1962.
2018 Tour Dates
Beijing: The Sleeping Beauty
11 to 14 October
NCPA Opera Theatre
with Orchestra of the National Ballet of China
Nanjing: Giselle
19 to 20 October
JSCPA Opera Hall
with music by Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Shanghai: The Sleeping Beauty
26 to 28 October
Shanghai Theatre Grande
with Shanghai Opera House Orchestra
“ The production offers a gold-class experience and the magical escape that will forever draw so many audiences to the fairytale world of ballet. ”The Herald Sun
Production credits
The Sleeping Beauty
Choreography Marius Petipa
Production and additional choreography David McAllister
Music Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Costume and set design Gabriela Tylesova
Design associate Kat Chan
Dramaturge Lucas Jervies
Original lighting design Jon Buswell
Giselle
Choreography Marius Petipa after Jean Corelli
Production Maina Gielgud
Music Adolphe Adam
Set and costume design Peter Farmer
Original lighting design William Ake
With thanks to
The Australian Ballet International Touring Fund
Opening Night Wine Partner De Bortoli
The Sleeping Beauty
Princess Aurora is doomed from infancy to fatally prick her finger on her 16th birthday. When the day arrives, she is saved from the curse of vengeful Carabosse by her champion the Lilac Fairy, who lulls the kingdom into a deep slumber. When the lonely Prince Désiré learns of Aurora’s fate, he comes to her rescue with a re-demptive kiss of true love. The couple celebrate their wedding and coronation in the light and bustle of the revived palace, with a glittering masked ball attended by fairies, bluebirds and familiar friends from the pages of Grimm fairy tales.
Giselle
The classic story opens with a vibrant grape harvest scene in a rural village. Innocent young Giselle meets the deceptive Count Albrecht, who has disguised himself as a peasant in order to win her love. When Giselle discovers he is betrothed to another, she goes mad and dies of a broken heart. Transformed into a spirit, Giselle roams a forest haunted by the ghosts of jilted women, the Wilis, who take revenge on the men who cross their path by forc-ing them to dance to their deaths. A remorseful Albrecht visits Giselle’s grave in the forest one night, and in the ultimate act of forgiveness and love, she dances with him until the sun rises and the evil spirits fade; she saves his life and finds peace in the after-life.
