On Tour: Sleeping Beauty

Christmas COMES EARLY FOR BALLET LOVERS THIS YEAR

Looking ahead with joy and optimism to its ever-popular Christmas season, the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) will open its magical new production, The Ryman Healthcare Season of The Sleeping Beauty on 29 October. score, spills over with fairies, woodland sprites, grand princes and, at its heart, an enchanting princess. This special Christmas production will unfurl like a fragrant summer rose with all the radiance and joy that any ballet lover, young or old, could wish for.

This stunning new production of the quintessential classical ballet Arguably the best known of all Russian composers, Tchaikovsky has been created by a powerhouse of creativity, led by RNZB wrote the music for just three ballets – The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Artistic Director Patricia Barker. The creative team includes New Lake and The Nutcracker, all of which include some of the most Zealand costume designer Donna iconic ballet scenes of all time. Jefferis, Austrian Dramaturg In The Sleeping Beauty, this includes Michael Auer, whose most recent production with the company Royal New Zealand Ballet’s the beautiful Rose Adagio in Act I – considered among dancers as one was the successful The Nutcracker season in 2018, American Lighting Designer Randall (Rico) Chiarelli magical The Sleeping Beauty on stages across the of the most technically difficult segments for a ballerina in any ballet, a grand pas de deux in Act (Black Swan, White Swan, 2019), and American scenic designer Howard country from 29 October. III, and a spectacular wedding. The national tour of The Sleeping C. Jones, whose work New Zealand Beauty visits Wellington, audiences may remember from the Invercargill, Dunedin, RNZB’s much-loved classic production of Giselle (2012). Christchurch, Palmerston North, Napier, Auckland City and RNZB Artistic Director Patricia Barker says, “We considered our production of this beautiful, enchanting story from all angles – from the original ballet, to the Disney story, and even as a NetflixTakapuna. RNZB Principal Conductor Hamish McKeich will conduct a live orchestral accompaniment in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, with a special recording for all other centres. style compelling drama with storytelling and characters at its In a time when love and kindness are more important than ever, heart. The result is a bold new production with all the brilliance, sharing the joy of a timeless ballet with the young and young at grandeur and beauty of the beloved classical ballet.” heart this Christmas seems like one of the very best ways to bring a The grandest of fairy tales, the RNZB’s production of The Sleeping sparkle of joy to the end of a challenging year. Beauty, while luxuriating in Tchaikovsky’s gorgeous orchestral rnzb.org.nz/thesleepingbeauty

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