NZ School of Dance announces Graduation Season

New Zealand School of Dance announces Graduation Season 2003 programme

The New Zealand School of Dance opens the Graduation Season 2003 with an internationally acclaimed programme featuring Divertimento No. 15 and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux by George Balanchine, Monotones II by Frederick Ashton, Jardi Tancat by Nacho Duato, Kyli n Study by Ji ¡ Kyli n and a world premiere by New Zealand's very own Raewyn Hill. The Graduation Season 2003 is an exciting mix of contemporary and neo-classical works that are emotional, sensual, dynamic and whimsical. For more information see below…

The programme heralds the 2004 international centenary celebrations of George Balanchine and Frederick Ashton, both choreographic icons of the 20th century. Balanchine's Divertimento No 15 and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux and Ashton's Monotones II are vivid examples of these influential choreographers' abilities to portray melodies, rhythms and textures magically in dance.

Created in 1983, Jardi Tancat, Catalan for 'Closed Garden', is the very first ballet by Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato. Infused with Duato's distinctive Mediterranean flavour, the ballet is based on Catalonian folk tales collected and passionately sung by Maria del Mar Bonet. Nacho Duato was acclaimed at the New Zealand International Arts Festival 2000 for his full-length work, Bach: Multiplicity, and the addition of a piece by this world-renowned choreographer is a major coup for the School.

At the heart of the Graduation Season is the School's commitment to commissioning new works from New Zealand's foremost choreographic talents. New Zealand School of Dance graduate Raewyn Hill will present a world premiere, Hanging Between Heaven and Earth, to music by Gregorio Allegri. Raewyn's movement vocabulary and musicality are unique and her new work is bound to be both expressive and exhilarating.

Completing the programme is Kyli n Study, showcasing extracts from four hauntingly beautiful ballets by choreographic trailblazer, Ji ¡ Kyli n. Danced to a montage of music by Igor Stravinsky, Leo Jan ek and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart this suite of dances presents a complex, fast and thrilling theatrical experience.

This season is made possible by the support of Creative New Zealand, Embassy of the United States of America, the Royal Netherlands Embassy and Qantas Airways Limited.

The season runs from the 5th to the 15th November with no show on Monday 10th November. There will be a matinee on Sunday 9th November. All evening shows start at 7.30pm; the matinee is at 2.00pm.

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