The Royal New Zealand Ballet's Allegro: Five Short Ballets will be the last season under Ethan Stiefel's artistic direction. He describes it as a showcase of the breadth of ballet styles.
Besides the world premiere of Satellites, by Daniel Belton, there are two pieces from New York choreographer Larry Keigwin: Mattress Suite creates six scenes about love affairs, either on or near a mattress, and is the first time Keigwin has allowed a company other than his own to perform this signature work; Megalopolis has been described by the New York Times as a divinely well-structured encounter between formalism and club culture.
Gillian Murphy will make her last appearance as RNZB's principal guest artist, showing off her virtuoso technique in Allegro Brillante, by legendary choreographer George Balanchine.
Johan Kobborg, who co-choreographed the RNZB's acclaimed 2012 production of Giselle with Ethan Stiefel, returns with his signature work, Les Lutins, a work for three dancers and a violinist and pianist playing live on stage.
The New Zealand Development Prize Winner at the 2013 Michael Hill International Violin Competition, Kiwi Benjamin Baker, returns home for the tour and Wellington-based RNZB rehearsal pianist Michael Pansters makes his official RNZB debut.
