The Paris Opera Ballet La Bayadere

Editorial

When: 24 June - 4 July 2009
Where: QPAC: Lyric Theatre
Tickets: $68.00-$223.00

Rudolf Nureyev's name is synonymous with ballet. A master at the craft, he spent the later years of his career as a choreographer for the Paris Opera Ballet, resurrecting some of the most classic dance pieces in history and combining them with the most decadent sets imaginable. Hitting the climax was the ballet La Bayadere, in which giant gilded elephants carried stunning creatures resplendent in aquamarine and gold outfits.

Written by Russian Marius Petipa, the ballet was first performed in 1877 by the Imperial Ballet, at the height of the Orientalism art movement that was sweeping Europe. This style saw the continents outside of Europe depicted as incredibly exotic in all forms of art. The four acts detail the love between the Bayadere (temple dancer) Nikiya and the warrior Solor. However, the Rajah has chosen Solor to marry his daughter Gamzatti, and the High Brahmin is also in love with Nikiya, provoking inevitable drama.

Nureyev reprised this ballet in its entirety with the Paris Opera Ballet in 1992, and it is this version that is making its way down to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre for 11 days of performance splendour. This is a rare chance to see a classic ballet, choreographed by one of the greatest in his field and performed by world class dancers.

Julianne Gill