Ballet audiences get to see two landmark works of 20th century dance Friday night when L'Arlésienne and Carmen are performed by the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
They are the work of French master choreographer, Roland Petit and neither have been performed in the country before.
"L'Arelsienne is a beautiful and hugely emotional ballet. In a very short space of time the dancers take you on a huge emotional and dramatic journey. It's a combination of the tidy and very accessible dance movements which are very defined classical technique, the stunning music by composer Georges Bizet against the backdrop of Van Gogh's stunning painting," said Royal New Zealand Ballet artistic director Francesco Ventriglia.
He said the audience would be treated to an amazing exchange of energy between the two lead dancers of L'Arelsienne.
"As a dancer to be able to express such emotion through dance for an audience and to feel the audience's reaction is exceptional. Audience members say they get goosebumps and feel really moved when they watch this work," Ventriglia said.