Join us at 10.30am for a special video presentation for Anzac Day, presented by the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
‘Dear Horizon’ and ‘Passchendaele’ are two works that were commissioned in 2015 and performed live with the New Zealand Army Band, to commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli landings.
The video begins on Saturday 25 April at 10.30am
‘Dear Horizon’ was Andrew Simmons’ fifth choreographic commission for the RNZ Ballet.
Of the work, Andrew wrote “Exploring such an important and sobering topic with the dancers has been quite a different challenge. Conflict is not joyful and nor deserving of celebration. I wanted to focus on human aspects and emotions of war: loss, fear, hopelessness. These are not specific to only one war and neither is this work – I hope that in whatever small way possible it may serve as a reminder and reflection upon all that war takes away.”
Choreography – Andrew Simmons
Music – Gareth Farr
New Zealand Army Band with Rolf Gjelsten (solo cello), conducted by Graham Hickman
Design – Tracy Grant Lord
Lighting – Jason Morphett
‘Passchendaele’ by Neil Ieremia, with an intensely moving score by Dwayne Bloomfield is a work special and unique to the RNZ Ballet. The work is named after the Battle of Passchendaele, on 12 October 1917, the day on which the New Zealand Division suffered more casualties than on any other day in the First World War, or since.
“It is a significant challenge to articulate through dance the essence of a subject matter drenched in dignity and sacrifice and so close to our nation’s core. As a proud New Zealand artist, I am honoured to be offered this very opportunity to meet this challenge.” ~ Neil Ieremia, 2015
Choreography and design – Neil Ieremia
Music – Dwayne Bloomfield
New Zealand Army Band conducted by Graham Hickman
Lighting – Jason Morphett
"We are honoured to share these works with you again this Anzac Day, with pride, respect, and gratitude to everyone who serves Aotearoa – in uniform and in every profession." ~ RNZ Ballet.
