Paying homage to the legendary Ballets Russes, the Australian Ballet treated Adelaide audiences to a sumptuous triple bill featuring works by Krzysztof Pastor, Jerome Robbins and George Balanchine.Set to Hector Berlioz’s magnificent score, Symphonie Fantastique, Krzysztof Pastor in collaboration with designer Tatyana van Walsum produce a visually stunning palette of projected clouds, rain, wheat and red poppies in a new interpretation of Leonide Massine’s symphonic ballet.
A work in five parts, it allows Robert Curran as the Artist to shine, amply demonstrating his ability with a rounded performance, as does Danielle Rowe as his obsession. Rachel Rawlins and Remi Wörtmeyer as the pastoral couple bring a subtle warmth and some fine choreography to the roles.
Set in a gauzy dance studio, Jerome Robbins has stripped away the mythological aspects of Debussy’s Afternoon of a Faun. As the young couple, Olivia Bell and Adam Bull are full of wondrous yearning. Playing no defined roles, they dance, trance-like, as though the steps are only now occurring to them. A mesmerising beautiful performance.
Considered a tribute to the Maryinsky Theatre in St Petersburg and Tchaikovsky, George Balanchine’s Ballet Imperial was a glorious finale to the evening as the dancers presented a dazzling display with plenty of Joie de vivre, with Hugh Colman's tutus looking stunning juxtaposed against a backdrop of a menacing sky.
Set to Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 2 magnificantly played by Lachlan Reed and accompanied by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Nicolette Fraillon, Curran and Rowe return and are joined by Lana Jones in a triumphant display that ensured rapturous applause.
French Connections
Saturday 24 May 2008. Review by Rohan Shearn
Season closed.
Image: Robert Curran in Symphonie Fantastique – photo by Jim McFarlane
