Australian Ballet Announces 2008 Season

"We are looking forward to another big year around the country in 2008. Some of our greatest story ballets will be on stage, and I know the dancers are really eager put their stamp on some of the great roles they offer. As well as bringing much loved repertoire back to the stage, there are also plenty of world premiere commissions - choreography and music - to keep dancers and audiences at the leading edge of ballet," said David McAllister.

The Australian Ballet in 2008:

- Eight ballet seasons comprising 25 ballets (160 shows) from full-length ballet classics to contemporary masterpieces by major Australian and international choreographers: Bodytorque.To the Pointe, Ballet Imperial, Swan Lake, Giselle, Jerome Robbins – a celebration, Interplay, French Connections and Manon.

- Nine world premieres including three by internationally recognised choreographers - Nicolo Fonte (US), Matjash Mrozewski (Canada) and Stephen Baynes (Australia) in Interplay - plus six hot new works by local emerging choreographic talent Robert Curran, Tim Harbour, Rachel Rawlins, Daniel Gaudiello, Paul Knobloch and Margaret Wilson showcased in Bodytorque.To the Pointe.

- Three new music scores by celebrated Australian composers Ross Edwards, Richard Mills and Gerard Brophy for Interplay.

- International guest repetiteurs restaging legendary works: Bart Cook for Jerome Robbins - a celebration and Vicki Simon for George Balanchine's Ballet Imperial.

- Sensational partnerships: principal artists and rising stars set to debut in ballet's most challenging and coveted roles: Manon and des Grieux, Odette and Prince Siegfried, Giselle and Prince Albrecht. Landmark narratives guaranteed to move audiences.

- Regional tour: The Dancers Company smash hit Classical Triple Bill will present 17 performances in four states: Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Northern Territory, engaging more people than ever in regional Australia.

- The Ballets Russes Symposium in Adelaide 23-25 May: A fascinating weekend of presentations by three international Ballets Russes experts and panel discussions by leading Australian artists involved in the creation of ballets. The Symposium is part of the four-year project Ballets Russes in Australia: Our Cultural Revolution. To be held at the Elder Conservatorium and Adelaide Festival Centre during The Australian Ballet's French Connections season.

- In other news: International tour to Europe, free outdoor performance, international guest artists, six new nominees vying for the 2008 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award plus 100+ education forums, classes, workshops and performances around Australia, including regional areas. -- www.australianballet.com.au