Europe Tour
“The beauty of the movement, the flow of the music, vivacious, romantic or with archaic power – Queensland Ballet inspired the audience in the sold out Opera House with its guest performance.” Sabine Tholund, KN-Online, October 25, 2009
“The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Klaus’s Timeless Dances…a unique and fascinating work.”
Claire Dommett, Dance Europe magazine, December 2009
“The nine-minute long pas de deux Chant d’Amour by François Klaus, danced to Fado music, appears in contrast like a biter-sweet praline of the best chilli chocolate.”
Annette Bopp, Tanznetz.de, November 29, 2009 On our third tour to Europe, Queensland Ballet will present Timeless Dances, a thrilling program which virtually shouts the dancers’ versatility, athleticism, and unique style.
The title piece, choreographed by François Klaus, received a standing ovation at its première performance in Brisbane in 2008. Timeless Dances is an inspiring collaborative project with indigenous Australian musician, William Barton. A renowned master of the didgeridoo, Barton wrote the music for didgeridoo and string quartet, and performs his composition on-stage with the dancers. His stirring soundscape and imposing presence are an integral part of the drama.
The two other works by Klaus on the program show completely different aspects of the artform. Set to virtuosic violin pieces by Dompierre and Morricone, Steps for Strings is a joyous, high-spirited piece which celebrates the skill and flair of the ensemble. By contrast, Chant d’Amour is a moving pas de deux, an intimate glimpse into a relationship which ebbs and flows to the sounds of soulful Portuguese fados.
Australian Natalie Weir’s compelling choreography draws upon the physical energy of the dancers’ bodies to intensify the power of the music. For The Gathering, she found inspiration in the film music of The Gladiator (by composers Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerard), resulting in a dynamic, almost ritualistic work which explodes on the stage with tribal energy. Weir has created distinctive dance pieces for companies around the world, and was recently appointed Artistic Director of the acclaimed Expressions Dance Company in Brisbane.
Completing the program is the work of another contemporary Australian choreographer: Kim McCarthy’s Nineteen. McCarthy’s choreography is pure movement, carefully and precisely crafted in response to the music. Nineteen is dedicated to the memory of his friendship with Antoinette Liman, and uses the Allegretto from her favourite piece, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 19 in F Major (K 459). A former Soloist with Hamburg Ballet and Principal and Ballet Master at Compañia Nacional de Danza, McCarthy is currently Co-ordinator of Classical Ballet and Lecturer at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts. He continues to remount Nacho Duato’s works internationally.
Click here to read more about the tour at the European website.
Click here to view the tour brochure
Click here to read review excerpts from Queensland Ballet's first European tour in 2006.
European Tour Venues, Dates and Booking Details
Baden, Switzerland:
October 17, 7.30 pm
Kurtheater Baden, Parkstrasse 20, 5401 Baden
Bookings: www.kurtheater.ch
Phone: +41 56 200 84 84
Friedrichshafen, Germany:
October 20, 7.30 pm
Graf-Zeppelin-Haus, Olgastraße 20, 88045 Friedrichshafen
Bookings: www.kulturbuero-friedrichshafen.de
Phone: +49 7541/288444, Fax + 49 7541/288446
Kiel, Germany:
October 24, 8.00 pm
Opernhaus Kiel, Rathausplatz 4, 24103 Kiel
Bookings: www.ticketonline.de
Phone: +49 1805 4470 111
Arhus, Denmark:
October 25, 8.00pm
Musikhuset Aarhus, Thomas Jensens Alle, 8000 Århus
Bookings: www.musikhusetaarhus.dk
Phone: +45 89 40 40 40, Fax +45 89 40 90 50
Hamburg, Germany:
October 27 & 28, 7.30pm
Congress Centre Hamburg – Hall 2, 1 Marseiller Straße, Hamburg
Bookings: www.ticketonline.de
Hotline: +49 1805 4470 111
Potsdam, Germany:
October 31, 8.00pm
Nikolaisaal, Wilhelm-Staab-Str. 10-11, 14467 Potsdam
Bookings: www.musikfestspiele-potsdam.de
Phone: +49-(0)331-28 888 28, Fax +49-(0)331-28 888 29
Click here to read the season brochure for Potsdam, Germany (please note that this brochure is written in German)
Minden, Germany:
November 3, 5, 6, & 7, 8.00pm
Stadttheater Minden, Tonhallenstr 3, 32423 Minden
Bookings: www.stadttheater-minden.de
Phone: +49 5 71 - 88 27 7, Fax +49 5 71 - 88 27 00
Click here to read the season brochure for Minden, Germany (please note that this brochure is written in German)
If you would like to join Queensland Ballet on its Europe Tour click here for information on the Supporters Tour.
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