Skip to main content
Three ballerinas doing ballet.

Jewels

4 – 20 May 2023

In the Joan Sutherland Theatre

The Australian Ballet

George Balanchine’s Jewels is a three-part ballet celebrating his vision of three jewels. Visually and thematically structured around the motifs of Emeralds, Rubies and Diamonds. A mesmerising spectacle that is both racy and refined, flashy and majestic.

A Balanchine masterpiece

George Balanchine’s Jewels is a three-part ballet celebrating his vision of three jewels. Visually and thematically structured around the motifs of Emeralds, Rubies and Diamonds, the piece explores the idea of movement radiating from the body through each specific jewel.

Making its world premiere at New York City Ballet in 1967, Jewels showcases Balanchine’s atmospheric musicality. These contrasting works explore his time in Paris, New York and St Petersburg through the harmony of music and the defining visual elements of colour, shape and silhouette. Each of the three acts is distinct in style and mood, set to music by three different composers: Fauré for Emeralds, Stravinsky for Rubies, Tchaikovsky for Diamonds. Opulent costumes and sets unify each of the three sections to achieve one regal whole, which will showcase the breathtaking classical precision of The Australian Ballet’s artists.

A mesmerising spectacle that is both soft and sharp, racy and refined, flashy and majestic, Jewels is a lavish work capturing the company’s celebratory spirit in its milestone 60th anniversary year.

Presented by The Australian Ballet, with Opera Australia Orchestra

Trailer

Each jewel in this ballet has equal beauty and power. Emeralds, soft and mysterious. Rubies, sharp and stylised. Diamonds, brilliant and sparkling. It is a visual feast for the balletic eye and an enormous opportunity for the dancers to tackle one of Balanchine’s greatest masterpieces.

David Hallberg, Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet

Artist information

Choreography 
George Balanchine
© The George Balanchine Trust

Music 
Gabriel Fauré
Igor Stravinsky
Piotr Ilyich Tschaikovsky

Costume design 
Barbara Karinska

Set design 
Peter Harvey

Staging 
Sandra Jennings

Original lighting design 
Ronald Bates, reproduced in 2023 by Perry Silvey

The performance of Jewels, a Balanchine® Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style® and Balanchine Technique® Service standards established and provided by the Trust.

Other information

You may also like

Cinderella

2 Jan – 28 Mar 2025

Feel all the magic of the fairy tale with enchanting music, playful choreography and extravagant costumes in this whimsical production of the classic opera.

  • Opera
  • Opera Australia

Big Christmas Spectacular

1 Dec 2024

Kick off the Christmas season in style with Big Live’s world-class dancers, orchestra and choir as they present a Christmas extravaganza like no other.

  • Dance

Nijinsky

4 – 22 Apr 2025

Acclaimed narrative ballet choreographer John Neumeier examines Nijinsky’s final performance, charting the rise and fall of a creative genius in vivid detail. He recalls his troubled family, his ill-fated romances and the transcendent performances that brought him fame.

  • Dance
  • The Australian Ballet

Checking availability