This electrifying triple bill recognises the remarkable influence that the Ballets Russes had in those heady Parisian days and beyond.

Featuring two masterpieces from ballet legends alongside a new work from one of today's leading international choreographers, all three works are set to magnificent scores, performed by the superb Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

1. BALLET IMPERIAL
Ballet legend George Balanchine defected from Russia to join the Ballets Russes in Paris, and it was here that he honed his dancing and then his choreographic craft. Later, when established in the US as a choreographic genius, Balanchine created his homage to the glory days of Russian Imperial ballet, Ballet Imperial.

The technically demanding Ballet Imperial, set to Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 2, has all the regal splendour of Russian classicism, but with Balanchine's trade mark contemporary, athletic edge.

Choreography George Balanchine
Music Piotr Llyich Tchaikovsky
Costume design Hugh Colman

2. AFTERNOON OF A FAUN
Like the Ballets Russes, Robbins' choreographic influence stretched across decades and art forms. In Afternoon of a Faun Robbins plays with the concepts of theatricality. Audiences observe two dance students as they observe themselves in an invisible mirror. Well aware of their youth and beauty, the dancers - one male, one female - stretch, practice and flirt with languor.

Set to French composer Claude Debussy's dreamy L'apres-midi d'un Faune.

Choreography Jerome Robbins
Music Claude DeBussy
Sat design Jean Rosenthal
Costume design Irene Sharaff

3. SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE
Acclaimed Polish choreographer Krzysztof Pastor has created an entirely new work to Hector Berlioz's 1832 score Symphonie Fantastique. Leonide Massine had also set a ballet to this score in the 1930s, which he based closely on Berlioz's imagined scenario for the music: a gothic tale of romantic obsession, opium, death and black magic. Pastor, and his design partner, Tatyana van Walsum, have streamlined the story and arrived at a more abstract, though still dramatic, work.

Choreography Krzysztof Pastor
Music Hector Berlioz
Set & costume design Tatyana van Walsum

"...It is probably one of the coolest ballets ever made." The Australian

"...one of the one-act classical gems..." The Sun

"...drop dead glamorous..." The Australian

For more information visit www.australianballet.com.au For information about the Ballet Russes Symposium visit www.australianballet.com.au/brsymposium/theballetsrussessymposium.htm