The Australian Ballet Launch 2016 Season

There's something for everyone in The Australian Ballet's 2016 season as revealed by Artistic Director David McAllister and Executive Director Libby Christie. 

The company is renowned for its artistic and athletic ability, whether executing thrilling new contemporary commissions or much-loved classics, and their 2016 season also proudly showcases the Australian premiere of the Nijinsky masterpiece.

The season's theme is transformation and we've divided the ballets into easily identifiable categories to help you out with those subscription choices:  

Classics

-The 2016 season kicks off with an encore season of Alexei Ratmansky's Cinderella for an exclusive Brisbane run in February.

-Another encore season that's included is Stephen Baynes' Swan Lake, which was created for The Australian Ballet's 50th anniversary in 2012 and should also satisfy fans of traditional ballet. The Edwardian splendour will descend on Sydney (April), Adelaide (May) and then Melbourne (June).

-Family favourite Coppélia returns to Melbourne in September and Sydney in December.

Triple/Mixed Bills

-For fans of the contemporary triple bill, enter Vitesse, which brings together pieces by three of the world's favourite contemporary choreographers: Christopher Wheeldon, William Forsythe and Jiří Kylián (whose work is set to Benjamin Britten's Sinfonia da Requiem). Melbourne can prepare for Vitesse in March before it graces Sydney stages in April.

-The classical counterpoint to Vitesse, mixed bill Symphony In C incorporates classical and contemporary pieces: A George Balanchine extravaganza followed by two new works by Alice Topp and Richard House (emerging choreographers and rising stars of The Australian Ballet). Exclusive to Sydney, this work opens in April.

Premieres

-Few could overlook the romance of Romeo And Juliet, the world's most famous love story as presented by Houston Ballet. The connection? Houston Ballet's Artistic Director is our very own Stanton Welch (also Resident Choreographer with The Australian Ballet). Welch's take on this story of star-crossed lovers is set to Sergei Prokofiev's much-loved score and opens in Melbourne in June.

-Arguably the centrepiece of The Australian Ballet's 2016 program, Nijinsky was choreographed by John Neumeier (and created for his company Hamburg Ballet). This Australian premiere was inspired by the ballet legend celebrated for his ballon and is set against the backdrop of Ballet Russes. Nijinsky opens in Melbourne in September, Adelaide in October and Sydney in November.

Major regional centres in Australia will also be visited by The Australian Ballet as part of the company's commitment to audience engagement events.

For more information, or to purchase a subscription, visit The Australian Ballet's website.