The Royal New Zealand Ballet will present four mesmerising seasons of dance for New Zealand audiences next year – and there’s something for everyone.

“I can’t wait to bring you RNZB’s 2012 programme – it’s a blockbuster,” says RNZB’s new Artistic Director, Ethan Stiefel.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet will present four mesmerising seasons of dance for New Zealand audiences next year – and there’s something for everyone.

“I can’t wait to bring you RNZB’s 2012 programme – it’s a blockbuster,” says RNZB’s new Artistic Director, Ethan Stiefel.

In a coup, Stiefel’s fiance and international ballet star, Gillian Murphy, will become a Principal Guest Artist with the RNZB next year.

The 2012 season opens on 29 February with NYC New Young Classic. In this programme of three short ballets from the Big Apple, Murphy will dance in George Balanchine’s classic ballet Who Cares? set to George Gershwin’s popular songs. One of New York’s hottest young choreographers, Larry Keigwin, will create a new work for RNZB and Benjamin Millepied, who choreographed the movie Black Swan, will present his 28 Variations on a Theme by Nicolo Paganini, completing the New York inspired programme.

The TOWER Season of Cinderella sees the return of Christopher Hampson’s acclaimed production in August; another chance for New Zealanders to enjoy kiwi designer Tracy Grant Lord’s sumptuous costumes and sets against Prokofiev’s rousing score.

In November, Murphy, ranked by the LA Times as “one of the most exciting ballerinas of her young generation,” returns to the stage to star as Giselle in The TelstraClear Season of Giselle. A new staging, co-produced by Stiefel and internationally renowned Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Johan Kobborg, will complete the star team for this quintessential dramatic ballet.

A cherry on the top for 2012 is the inclusion of an additional season which has children and families in mind. The Meridian Season of Angelina Ballerina’s Big Audition is a ballet- version based on the enormously popular children’s books and animated 2002 TV series.

Originally created by English National Ballet this production will delight audiences in March.

NYC New Young Classic

An opportunity to enjoy contrasting ballets conceived and created in New York City. From works by the city’s hottest young choreographers, Larry Keigwin and Benjamin Millepied, to a Balanchine classic inspired by Gershwin’s legendary songs, this exceptional programme will excite audiences throughout New Zealand.

29 February – 30 March

Auckland, Takapuna, Hamilton, Ashburton, Dunedin, Wellington, Napier

Who Cares?

choreography George Balanchine

staging Sandra Jennings

music George Gershwin

music arrangement Hershy Kay

lighting Nigel Percy

28 Variations on a Theme by Paganini

choreography Benjamin Millepied

staging John Gardner and Amanda McKerrow

music Johannes Brahms

lighting Nigel Percy

New work by Larry Keigwin

choreography Larry Keigwin

music Adam Crystal

lighting Nigel Percy

The TOWER Season of Cinderella

Christopher Hampson’s Cinderella returns to our stage in August. Acclaimed New Zealand designer Tracy Grant Lord’s sumptuous costumes and lavish sets draw you into a glittering fantasy world.

2 August – 9 September

Wellington, Invercargill, Dunedin, Napier, Palmerston North, Takapuna, Auckland

choreography Christopher Hampson

music Sergei Prokofiev

set & costume design Tracy Grant Lord

lighting Nick Schlieper

The TelstraClear Season of Giselle

A new staging of this quintessential ballet is co-produced by Ethan Stiefel and Johan Kobborg, internationally acclaimed principal dancer of The Royal Ballet. Gillian Murphy, RNZB Principal Guest         Artist and star of American Ballet Theatre, dances Giselle, one of the most dramatic roles in the classical ballet repertoire.

7 November – 12 December

Wellington, Christchurch, Invercargill, Dunedin, Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Palmerston North

production Johan Kobborg and Ethan Stiefel

choreography Johan Kobborg and Ethan Stiefel after Marius Petipa

music Adolphe Adam

set design Howard Jones

costume design Natasha Stewart

The Meridian Season of Angelina Ballerina’s Big Audition

Royal New Zealand Ballet is delighted to be performing this enchanting production, originally created by English National Ballet, throughout the country between March and May.

choreography Antony Dowson

guest repetiteur Laura Hussey

music arrangement Gavin Sutherland

set design Alan Riches

costume design Wizzy Shawyer

lighting David Richardson

18 March – 6 May

Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Rotorua ,Tauranga, Whangarei, Hamilton, Napier, Hastings,

Auckland, Takapuna, Wellington, Blenheim, Ashburton, Invercargill, Dunedin, Timaru.