Horsham Rural City Council is thrilled to welcome The Australian Ballet to Horsham for a magical evening of world class dance, transforming the City Oval into an outdoor theatre.
Ballet Under the Stars will delight audiences with a varied program of ballets covering classic fan-favourites and more contemporary works.
The free family-friendly event on Saturday February 21 is a rare opportunity to see Australia's national ballet company in this unique outdoor setting.
Local high school students are also invited to take part in a curtain-raiser performance before the main event, one of several community activities being arranged by the Company's Education and Outreach Team for ballet enthusiasts young and old.
The team will host Dancing Stories (ages 3-5), Adult Ballet (ages 18+) and Seniors Ballet (60+) during their visit.
The main performance will begin with the elegance of The Sleeping Beauty Act III Polonaise and Grand Pas, the ethereal beauty of La Bayadère's Kingdom of the Shades, and the technical brilliance of the heritage showpiece Grand Pas Classique, highlighting the Company's remarkable athleticism.
Flames of Paris ignites the stage with fiery energy, while the long-awaited return of Grande Tarantella promises to dazzle ballet lovers with its virtuosity and excitement.
Contemporary dance takes centre stage with the Australian premiere of Marco Goecke's striking duet Morpheus' Dream, with music by Lady Gaga and Keith Jarrett. The program also features a world premiere by 2023 Telstra Emerging Choreographer award-winner Yuiko Masukawa, highlighting The Australian Ballet's commitment to nurturing the next generation of choreographers.
There will also be an opportunity to watch The Australian Ballet dancers take part in a class on stage as a warm-up for the evening's performance.
"This is an amazing opportunity for everyone in our municipality and beyond to see these astounding performers beneath the summer sky at our own Recreation Reserve," said Mayor Cr Brian Klowss.
"We are delighted to host our national ballet company, and to invite visitors from across the wider region to join us for this unique event, an unforgettable magical evening under the stars."
The Australian Ballet's Artistic Director David Hallberg said he was excited to bring Ballet Under the Stars to Horsham, the furthest the program has ever travelled in Victoria.
"There's something uniquely special about seeing the Company perform outdoors," said Mr Hallberg.
"Audiences will see the breadth of the Company, the talent, strength and world-class athleticism of our dancers in works that are thrilling, beautiful and fun.
"What excites me most is that the beauty of these works belong in regional Victoria just as much as on our biggest stages. This program honours ballet's traditions while looking to the future, with new works being performed in Australia for the first time."
The Australian Ballet's visit is supported by the Victorian Government's Regional Events Fund.
"A free, world-class performance is a pretty special way to showcase Western Victoria, and it's the kind of event that turns a day trip into a weekend stay," said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos.
"We're proud to support experiences like this which drive local cafes, hotels and small businesses, supporting local jobs."
Gates open at 4.45pm, pre-show entertainment will begin at 5.30pm, and the main performance will be from 7.45pm.
Guests are invited to bring their own picnic or purchase food and drink from onsite food trucks. Attendance is free, but bookings are still required to secure your spot. For more details, visit The Australian Ballet website:
https://australianballet.com.au/performances/ballet-under-the-stars
