Overview
Like all significant art forms, dance is a medium that transcends language, culture and geography. This September, The Australian Ballet will explore the contemporary dance canon from three distinct corners of the globe in Instruments of Dance, a triple bill at Arts Centre Melbourne featuring three evocative ballets that showcase ground-breaking modern dance from the world's top choreographers.
Each choreography talent has created a work inspired by musical scores by contemporary composers who work in very different musical fields. The resulting performance will be a spectacular showcase of modern dance and the music that inspires it.
First on the bill is Justin Peck, the resident choreographer of New York City Ballet who is making his Australian debut. Everywhere We Go is set to a score commissioned from acclaimed singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens and is a nine-part ballet for 25 dancers streaming in and out of complex group formations and expertly executed pas de deux which brings the energy of Hollywood and Broadway to the classical stage.
Next up, Wayne McGregor's all-male Obsidian Tear explores the dark shadows of the planet and psyche. McGregor, who is the resident choreographer of The Royal Ballet, has created a performance that touches on a range of disciplines, from geology to mythology to the powerful effects of emotion on the body, set to a suite of violin works by Finnish conductor-composer Esa-Pekka Salonen. A range of fashion designers including Gareth Pugh and the legendary Vivienne Westwood have been enlisted for the costuming, ensuring a true visual feast.
Finally, The Australian Ballet's own resident choreographer Alice Topp will present her new work, the appropriately titled New Work. The piece continues the celebrated choreographer's journey into the emotional core of the lived human experience, and features Australian design and a commissioned score by AACTA Award-winning composer Bryony Marks.
Sound like something you want to see? We've teamed up with The Australian Ballet to give away one double-pass to what promises to be a spectacular showcase of 21st century ballet. You and a lucky plus one will score two premium tickets to a performance of your choosing. To really make a night of it, the prize also includes $100 to spend at Arts Centre Melbourne's sleek Mod Oz venue The Barre, where you can enjoy a pre-or post-show feast of seasonal local produce. Just drop your details below to go in the running.