Tagged content: classical
Three new stars
Queensland Ballet is thrilled to announce the promotion of three new Principal Dancers – Keian Langdon, Hao Bin and Meng Ningning.
Keian, 25, took audiences by storm with his recent performance as Arthur in Klaus’s new ballet King Arthur & the Tales of Camelot, and his riveting portrayal as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire in 2009 won him many fans.
Queensland Ballet Artistic Director and Chief Choreographer François Klaus said, “Keian’s powerful dramatic presence and excellent partnering skills make him an obvious choice for many major roles. Since he joined Queensland Ballet as a Professional Year student in 2005 he has never ceased to develop, and I’m delighted to officially recognise his position in the Company with this promotion.”
Keian began his early dance training in Taree, and went on to the McDonald College of Performing Arts in Sydney, where he was trained by Allan Cross and Josephine Jason. Since being offered a place in the Company in 2006 audiences have watched Keian develop into a strong, intense dancer with a flair for dramatic roles.
Formerly stars of the National Ballet of China, Ningning and Bin have exhibited their exemplary classical technique, grace and purity of line in International Gala 2011 and King Arthur & the Tales of Camelot, since joining the Company as Soloists in July this year.
Swan Lake: Mathilde & Odette
Watch our latest behind-the-scenes video to find out about Mathilde and Odette's stories of love, devotion and betrayal.
Swan Lake 2011
Swan Lake holds a cherished place in the repertoire. François Klaus's spectacular interpretation of this classic ballet honours its rich choreographic heritage (including the traditional 'White Swans' second act), whilst deftly creating a new narrative that culminates in the migration of the great Russian ballet tradition to the Western world.
Ballerina Mathilde Kschessinska was one of the stars of The Imperial Ballet in its golden years of the late 19th century. While living in exile in France after the Russian Revolution, she wrote a memoir of her life and romance with Tsar Nicholas II. François Klaus saw parallels between their tragic story and the tale of doomed love between the Swan Queen, Odette, and Prince Siegfried.
His ballet chronicles an epic story of devotion and betrayal, with lavish sets and costumes, thrilling dance and the glorious music of Tchaikovsky.