The Australian Ballet Returns to

Royal Opera House This Summer after 35-Year Absence with

George Balanchine’s Jewels

2–6 August 2023 / Royal Opera House, London

• The Australian Ballet’s London season will be a highlight of the year-long diamond jubilee/60^th anniversary celebrations

• Inspired by thebeauty of three jewels, Balanchine’s beloved ballet triptych, consisting ofEmeralds,RubiesandDiamonds,makes an excitingLondonreturn aftersix years

• 60^th Anniversary Gala to feature works by Rudolf Nureyev and Yuri Possokhov alongside leading international and Australian contemporary choreographers

• Tickets go on sale from Thursday 13 April

In what promises to be the most glamourous event of London’s cultural calendar this summer, The Australian Ballet today announced that the company will bring George Balanchine’s triptych Jewels to the Royal Opera House in London in August 2023, a highlight of its diamond jubilee/60^th anniversary celebrations.

The 2023 London Tour will be the first international tour for The Australian Ballet under the leadership of Artistic Director David Hallberg and marks the company’s return to international touring since 2019. The season consists of five performances of Jewels and a one-off 60^thAnniversary Celebration performance featuring some of the company’s signature repertoire.

The Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director David Hallberg said: ‘Jewels is the ultimate showcase of a ballet company’s technical virtuosity and stylistic refinement. It is the ideal work with which to introduce our dancers to the audiences in the UK. Each jewel in this ballet has equal beauty and power. Emeralds, soft and mysterious. Rubies, sharp and stylised. Diamonds, brilliant and sparkling. It is a visual feast for the balletic eye.’

‘Founded by the London-born Dame Peggy van Praagh, The Australian Ballet’s ties with the UK are many and deep. The Royal Opera House was a special place for me during my career as a dancer. I cannot wait to bring Australia’s national ballet company back to this storied theatre after an absence of 35 years, reinforcing the company’s reputation for excellence on the world stage.’

The rich tradition of The Australian Ballet performing in the UK began in 1965, with subsequent tours in 1973, 1976, 1988, 1992, 2005, 2008 and 2016.

This will be the first time The Australian Ballet will tour Jewels internationally. Over 90 dancers, musicians, wardrobe, medical, technical, production and support staff will make up the touring party.

Considered a cornerstone of the repertoire, Jewels (1967) is a three-part full-evening ballet by the choreographer George Balanchine, inspired by a chance visit to the iconic Maison Van Cleef & Arpels on Fifth Avenue in New York. The opening Emeralds, set to the music of French composer Gabriel Fauré, embodies the mystery and romance associated with the 19^th century Paris Opera Ballet. Rubies, accompanied by Stravinsky’s jazzy score, pays tribute to Balanchine’s adopted home New York, mingling Broadway with the burlesque. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 3 is the backdrop to the glittering finale, Diamonds, a homage to the grand Mariinsky tradition that produced The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.

Jewels replaces Kunstkamer as previously announced.

The Australian Ballet’s London season closes on Sunday 6 August with a special one-off 60^th Anniversary Gala. Curated by David Hallberg to display the strength and versatility of the company, the evening features repertoire spanning three centuries – from beloved classical pieces by Rudolf Nureyev and Yuri Possokhov to a company commission by Pam Tanowitz, alongside a rare chance to experience work by leading Australian choreographer Alice Topp. The full programme will be unveiled nearer the time.

The London tour will be supported by The Australian Ballet’s Principal Partner Telstra, Official Airline Partner Qantas and Media Partner Times Media Limited.

The Australian Ballet – 2023 London Tour

Jewels

Wednesday 2 August 7:30PM

Thursday 3 August 7:30PM

Friday 4 August 7:30PM

Saturday 5 August 1:30PM

Saturday 5 August 7:30PM

Tickets: £4 – £115

60^thAnniversary Celebration

Sunday 6 August 1:30PM

Tickets: £7 – £135

Orchestra: Royal Ballet Sinfonia

Conductor: Jonathan Lo

Box Office

https://www.roh.org.uk

+44 (0)20 7304 4000

Jewels

Choreography

George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust

Music

Emeralds Gabriele Fauré, extracts from “Pelléas et Mélisande” and “Shylock”

Rubies Igor Stravinsky, “Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra”

These performances of Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra by Igor Stravinsky

are given by permission of Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd, exclusive agents

for Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd.

Diamonds Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky, “Symphony No. 3 in D Major, Op. 29”

Staging

Sandra Jennings

Costume Design

Barbara Karinska

Costume Design Associate

Carole Divet

Set Design

Peter Harvey

Associate Scenic Designer

John Carver Sullivan

Lighting Design

Perry Silvey

Premiere

April 13, 1967, New York City Ballet, New York State Theater

The performance of Jewels, a Balanchine® Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style® and Balanchine Technique® Service standards established and provided by the Trust.