For the first time in history, the famous Paris Opera Ballet will visit Australia this June to present two programs at Sydney's Capitol Theatre.

The Company, comprising of no less than 100 dancers with full orchestra will present Swan Lake, a glorious and original version choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev, and Jewels, George Balanchine's three-act homage to ballet and its evolution from classicism to modernity. Exclusive to Sydney, from Saturday June 16th, this elegant production has been designed by Christian Lacroix.

The Paris Opera Ballet is universally regarded as one of the world's greatest dance companies.
Besides being the oldest, with its beginnings in 1661 when the French King Louis XIV decided to create the Académie Royale de Danse (Royal Academy of Dance), it is also the largest. Its ranks comprise of étoiles or stars, premier danseurs, sujets or soloists, corps de ballet and junior dancers. The average age of the company's dancers is 25, also making it one of the youngest professional ballet companies in the world.

Paris Opera Ballet Performs Swan Lake

'The Paris Opera was the birth place of ballet and during its 300 year history has been the benchmark company against which all other ballet companies are measured. It will be extraordinary for ballet in Australia to have this legendary company visit our country and I believe it will have a significant impact on both our company and the ballet loving public. The Australian Ballet is very proud to be associated with this tour' - David McAllister, Artistic Director,
The Australian Ballet.

Choreographed in the late 19th Century, Swan Lake was staged at Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre in 1877, but it wasn't until 1895, after the death of its composer, that it was finally seen in St. Petersburg with choreography by Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa and became a universal classic. Rudolf Nureyev, Director of Dance of the Paris Opera Ballet between 1983 and 1989, mounted his version of Swan Lake in 1984, now to be restaged in Sydney this June.

For his legendary three-act ballet, Jewels, which premiered in 1967, the great choreographer George Balanchine was inspired by precious gems, the glory of the

cut and polish of the stones, their beauty, colour and sparkle reflected in the shining technique of his dancers and in evocative, boldly coloured costumes. He also drew inspiration from the three great world cities which shaped his career; Paris, New York and St. Petersburg.

'It is open to doubt whether even George Balanchine has ever created a work in which inspiration was so sustained, the invention so imaginative or the concept so magnificent as in this three-act ballet.' Clive Barnes, New York Times.

Jewels is a must see performance as the complete three-act version has never before been presented in Australia.

Prior to the Swan Lake and Jewels seasons the étoiles and premier danseurs of the company will participate in what will surely be a landmark in the history of ballet in this country, a glittering
one-off Grand Gala Performance at the Sydney Opera House, Opera Theatre, on Wednesday 13 June, hosted by The Australian Ballet.

The programme for the Grand Gala Performance will not only showcase the talents of the
participating dancers but also provide a sampler of the company's remarkable repertoire. It features highlights from ballets by Marius Petipa, Leonid Massine, Roland Petit, George
Balanchine, John Neumeier and William Forsyth that trace the trajectory of dance from the
great 19th century classics to the contemporary masterpieces.

This historic performance would not have been possible without the magnificent and
generous support of The Australian Ballet and Veuve Clicquot.

www.parisoperaballet.com.au

Grand Gala Performance
Wed June 13th

Swan Lake
Sat June 16th-Sun June 24th

Jewels
Wed June 27th-Sat June 30th

For bookings for The Grand Gala Performance, Swan Lake or Jewels contact Ticketmaster on 1300 136 166 www.ticketmaster.com.au

For VIP, Stay and See™ and Corporate Packages contact Ticketmaster on 1300 658 009 www.ticketmaster.com.au