Queensland Ballet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Queensland Ballet, founded in 1960 by Charles Lisner OBE, is the premier ballet company of Queensland, Australia which is based in Brisbane.
[edit] History
Lisner trained with Edouard Borovansky and danced with the "Borovansky Australian Ballet" prior to travelling to London to continue his dance studies and education with the Sadlers Wells Ballet School. He later joined the Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, in England. In 1953, Lisner returned to Australia to open the Lisner Ballet Academy, and in 1960, the Lisner Ballet Company.
The Company was re-named Queensland Ballet in 1962 and became the first ballet ensemble in Australia to tour to regional centers throughout the continent of Australia, a commitment which continues today.
In 1974, Charles Lisner resigned as Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Ballet, to be suceeeded (sicsic) by Harry Haythorne. Following Harry's departure in 1978, founding company member and principal dancer, Harold Collins, was appointed Artistic Director. Collins led the company until his retirement in 1997, maintaining Lisner's commitment to the creation of uniquely Australian dance, and to forging a strong, independent, original, and visually intriguing company.
Collins was succeeded in 1998 by François Klaus, a respected and experienced European dancer, teacher and choreographer. Under Klaus's artistic stewardship, Queensland Ballet has continued to expand, retaining and remaining a significant force in the Australian cultural landscape.
A ballet, which was created especially for the Queensland Ballet, was "Pirates of Penzance - The Ballet!", which the company took on tour to the United States.
