Media Release June 2009
Romance, Revenge, and Men in Kilts
Romantic love and revenge take centre stage during the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Meridian Season of La Sylphide.
Stunning sets from The Australian Ballet recreate the moody Scottish highlands for this gorgeous traditional ballet from
master Danish choreographer August Bournonville.
The story features a love-struck young Scottish groom who is lured away on the eve of his wedding by an elusive tree
fairy called a sylph. With scheming witches and ethereal sylphs this season will bring a touch of magic to the New
Zealand winter for dance fans.
Producer Matz Skoog says Bournonville’s production of 1836 has survived for good reason.
“Although the story of La Sylphide revolves around emotive subjects such as love, loss, revenge and ultimately death, it
is first and foremost a very beautiful piece of dancing,” he says.
La Sylphide is seen as the quintessential ballet from the Romantic era – the mid to late nineteenth century - a period
in which artists turned against industrialisation, taking inspiration from nature and emotion.
The Meridian Season of La Sylphide opens with Dances from Napoli. Colourful and full of life, Dances from Napoli
encompasses highlights of Bournonville’s ballet Napoli, including the Flower Festival of Genzano pas de deux.
The season tours six centres – Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Auckland and Napier – from 30 July to 3
September. The RNZB is thrilled to again be partnered by orchestras in four centres: the Vector Wellington Orchestra,
Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Southern Sinfonia and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
ENDS