The RNZB’s acclaimed Giselle to premiere in China

Dancers visiting Shaolin Temple, Henan Province, 2009

Media Release - for immediate release

The RNZB’s acclaimed Giselle to premiere in China

One week from today the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s acclaimed production of Giselle has its international premiere in Suzhou. After opening night on 9 April the company then tours Giselle across China for three weeks, visiting Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin and Guangzhou.

Giselle received rave reviews and standing ovations on its New Zealand premiere in November 2012. The RNZB’s Artistic Director and co-choreographer of Giselle, Ethan Stiefel is excited about taking the RNZB’s production to the world. “Giselle is a ballet that is very dear to my heart, with both a dramatic story and the opportunity for the dancers to perform challenging choreography. I feel fortunate to be able to share this beautiful ballet with dance lovers in China.”

The Royal New Zealand Ballet gratefully acknowledges the generosity of its 2013 China tour sponsors and supporters. The RNZB are supported by the New Zealand Government through the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme and China tour partners Heilongjiang Grand Farm Meats Co Ltd and the Asia New Zealand Foundation. New supporters include Contue Jinwan Enterprise Group (NZ) Limited, Goodbaby from China and innovative New Zealand company phil&teds.

“At phil&teds we’ve built a high performance culture bench-marked daily against tough international competition. You gotta be the best!. And we like to think that mirrors RNZB.” says Campbell Gower - phil&teds’ chief cook & bottle washer. “We’re a creative company who know we need to perform every day with relevance to our audience - resulting in creative solutions that serve the parenting day. We reckon there’s power in joining forces with those who think alike. In a similar way, we want to celebrate the innovation, performance culture and abundant creativity of the Royal New Zealand Ballet,” says Gower.

“International touring is crucial for both our reputation and artistic development and I am thrilled that such is the enhanced international profile of the company, that as part of this tour, the NCPA will be presenting us in Beijing – arguably one the greatest stages in the world. It is wonderful in our 60th year to be returning to China. We acknowledge our most loyal supporters, both sponsors and individual supporters, at home and abroad, as we just couldn’t do this without them.” says Managing Director Amanda Skoog.

"The Government is delighted to support the Royal New Zealand Ballet's tour to China. The 2013 tour will build on two previous successful tours by the RNZB and strengthen the relationship we have with China. Last year we celebrated the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and this tour will expose even more of our creative culture and help promote New Zealand’s commitment to active participation in the region,” says The Hon. Christopher Finlayson Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is New Zealand’s leading national performing arts company, giving more than 100 performances around New Zealand each year and touring regularly overseas, with recent tours to Australia, the UK, France and a USA tour planned for 2014. New audiences have able to follow the company behind the scenes thanks to award winning TV3 series Secret Lives of Dancers. The third series is being filmed during the China tour and will go to air in New Zealand in late 2013.

‘One of the finest Giselles I have ever seen ... A triumph for the company in every way. Production, choreography, direction and of course performances.’ Ann Hunt, Radio New Zealand Arts on Sunday

‘These beautifully disciplined Kiwis really can rock’ The Times (UK), 2011

ENDS

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