The Australian Ballet: Counterpointe 2021

A double bill of the elegant 19th-century classic Raymonda with the vigour and attack of Artifact Suite by William Forsythe, who stretches classical forms into original modernity.

Artifact Suite

The American choreographer William Forsythe revolutionised the European dance scene, reimagining classical technique and challenging his dancers with extended shapes. Devotees of his In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, shown most recently as part of our _Vitesse _program, will relish experiencing the ensemble work that defined his groundbreaking style: clarified speed, extensions of form and dynamically fast weight changes. Bach's sublime _Chaconne _for solo violin is contrasted to the repetitive urgency of piano pieces by composer Eva Crossman-Hecht.

Raymonda (Act III)

The third act of Marius Petipa's Raymonda _depicts the wedding of the hero and heroine. As in his _Sleeping Beauty and Paquita, Petipa uses the celebration to create a sparkling display of classical technique, with Hungarian-inflected dances culminating in one of ballet's most famous solos for a leading ballerina. This staging, based on the traditional Petipa choreography, will be David Hallberg's first for The Australian Ballet.