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.
Carmen too has emotional intensity, with this work inspired by Bizet's score and the iconic tale from the famous opera.
"Every character is well defined. The set is colourful and stylish and despite the fact that this ballet was created in 1949, it's still so modern and stylish as if it was created today. It's funny, colourful, dramatic, intense, sad, passionate with lots of emotion and ends in a tragedy," said Ventriglia.
"To dance the role of Carmen is every ballerina's dream. It's a real honour, the same for any male dancer who gets to dance the role of Don Jose the man who becomes Carmen's lover. Many of the world's greatest ballet dancers have danced these roles.
"And once again, the stunning music by Georges Bizet and the colourful sets combines with incredible storytelling and dance to make it a must see ballet," he said.
What: RNZB L'Arlésienne and Carmen
Where: Civic Theatre
When: Friday, 7.30pm
Tickets: R13 Ticketmaster, Adult $38 -78, Child $25-$45, Senior/Student/Unwaged $34.20-$70.20