Ballet company remembers World War I

Salute, Royal New Zealand Ballet
Nationwide Tour

Later this month The Royal New Zealand Ballet starts its nationwide tour with four dance works that remembers World War I.

Following the world premiere in Wellington on May 22 the company will tour to six venues around New Zealand.

“This dynamic mixed bill includes: a 20th century masterpiece by legendary Czech choreographer Jiří Kylián; two world premieres created for the company by New Zealand choreographers Andrew Simmons and Neil Ieremia (Black Grace); and the New Zealand premiere of a work by Johan Kobborg,” ballet artistic director Francesco Ventriglia says.

“This powerful programme themed around war, loss and hope is our tribute to those men and women who sacrificed so much, many of whom were the same ages as our young dancers.”

The New Zealand Army Band will perform live, including a new commission by NZ composer Gareth Farr, for three of the four dance works. The army band’s musicians will be touring with the dancers throughout the month long tour.

“We are thrilled to be working with the army band and to be bringing live music to every venue. Watching the four works taking shape is exciting, and profoundly moving.  I really believe this programme will resonate with all New Zealanders,” ballet company managing director Amanda Skoog says.

Twelve male dancers will perform award-winning Czech choreographer Jiří Kylián’s Soldier’s Mass.  Considered one of the landmark dance works of the 20th century, this beautiful work was originally created for Nederlands Dans Theater in 1980.  It caused a sensation when it was first performed by the ballet company in 1998.

Christchurch born, Dresden-based Andrew Simmons (Through to You, A Song in the Dark, Of Days), a former New Zealand Ballet dancer, has created his fifth commission for the company. This new work, Dear Horizon, features a specially commissioned score by Gareth Farr which has been written for the New Zealand Army Band and cellist Rolf Gjelsten of the New Zealand String Quartet.

Neil Ieremia, founder of Black Grace, has created a new work for the ballet company named after the battle in which more New Zealanders were killed and wounded than any other, Passchendaele. It is inspired by music composed by former ballet company member Dwayne Bloomfield, who was born and raised in Timaru.

Renowned dancer, choreographer and director, Johan Kobborg whose Les Lutins charmed NZ audiences in 2014 has created Salute, a light-hearted work about cadets who have not yet experienced the reality of war.  The music for this piece has been specially arranged for the New Zealand Army Band.

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Tour dates

May 22 – June 25

Wellington St James Theatre: May 22 – 24

Christchurch Isaac Theatre Royal: May 28 - 30

Dunedin Regent Theatre: June 3

Hamilton Founders Theatre: June 10

Takapuna Bruce Mason Centre: June 13 - 14

Auckland ASB Theatre: June 17 –20

Napier Municipal Theatre: June 24 - 25