Pas de deux in paradise

The Australian Ballet to perform under the stars in Far North Queensland

The Australian Ballet is leaving the stage to perform under the stars in paradise.

Pas de Deux in Paradise is an exclusive outdoor performance at luxury resort qualia at the northernmost point of Hamilton Island.

Four of the company’s leading dancers will perform show-stopping pas de deux from some of the world’s most-loved ballet classics.

The event, to be held from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2009 and hosted by the Nine Network’s Catriona Rowntree, is the second of its kind and follows the highly successful performance of Tim Harbour’s Wa at the resort in 2008.

The Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director David McAllister has selected four classic divertissements to be performed by Principal Artist Yosvani Ramos, 2009 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award nominee Stephanie Williams, 2008 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award nominee Ty King-Wall and newcomer to The Australian Ballet, Kristy Corea.

“We’re taking a tasting plate of treats to qualia featuring some of the world’s best known and most loved ballets,” McAllister said.

“From the sublimely traditional Swan Lake and Giselle to the technical grandeur of Grand pas classique and Le Corsaire, it’s been great fun putting the repertoire together for this evening.”

While the dancers prepare in the Melbourne rehearsal studios, The Australian Ballet’s technical team has been finalising staging, lighting and musical logistics for this special outdoor performance in the lead up to the trip north.

“We’re no strangers to performing outdoors, but we normally present on well established stages in public arenas. To perform with the Whitsundays as our backdrop and qualia as our front-of-house is a different experience all together,” McAllister said.

Pas de deux: dance for two.

The ballets:

Giselle Act 2 Pas de deux

Setting new standards for the art of ballet, Giselle was a success on all levels at its premiere at the Paris Opera in 1841. Giselle is one of the world’s most popular ballets and is acknowledged as the pinnacle of 19th century Romanticism – the ultimate romantic ballet.

Grand Pas Classique Pas de deux

This brilliant display of virtuosity was choreographed in 1949 by Victor Gsovsky and is still performed today by dancers all over the world.

Le Corsaire Pas de deux

While the full-length three act ballet Le Corsaire was choreographed by Joseph Mazilier in 1856 and reproduced in 1899 by Marius Petipa, it is only the spectacular pas de deux that is still performed in the West today.

Swan Lake Act 2 Pas de deux

Set to the immortal score by Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake is lauded across the world as one of the iconic ballet narratives. First seen by ballet lovers in 1877, companies across the world have different versions of this classic ballet in their repertoire, mostly based on the 1895 revival by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov.

A special package has been put together exclusively for guests staying at qualia for weekend of 23-25 October.

Bookings for the event can be made at 1300 780 959 or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .