Australian Ballet, The: Firebird and other legends - A Thousand Encores: The Ballets Russes in Australia (2 Disc Set)

In 1936 the revolutionary ballet company, The Ballets Russes, arrived in Australia, awakening the nation to a new world of modernist art and culture. It inspired a generation of local artists, dancers and designers, who shook down the walls of conformism and ignited the passion of audiences across the country. It also led to the foundation of The Australian Ballet.

Disc One of this superb 2DVD set features three masterpieces that were danced in the Ballets Russes’ early Paris seasons and on their first Australian tour: Les Sylphides and Petrouchka with their original choreography by Fokine, and Firebird re-imagined by Graeme Murphy. Recorded live with The Australian Ballet in the Sydney Opera House in 2009.

Disc Two is a fascinating and profoundly moving documentary, including recent interviews with former members of the original Ballets Russes, extensive footage of the company in Australia, and a behind-the-scenes journey into The Australian Ballet’s 2009 Firebird, with choreographer Graeme Murphy.