Afternoon Reception in Celebration of the Visit to Queensland by Ballet Preljocaj

Kaye and I are delighted to extend a warm Queensland welcome to the dancers and staff of Ballet Preljocaj and to the many individuals involved in making it possible for the company to make its first visit to Queensland.

It is now seven years since the very first program in the visionary QPAC International Series – seven inspiring years with visits by no fewer than five of the world’s greatest performing arts companies: the Paris Opera Ballet, the Ballet Nacional de Cuba; the Hamburg Ballet with the State Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra; the Bolshoi Ballet; and the American Ballet Theatre.

Those companies are acknowledged world-wide as powerhouses of creativity, custodians of significant repertoire, and exemplars of ballet and dance technique.

We have been exceptionally privileged that so many of their visits have been unique to Brisbane, bringing a total of some forty thousand visitors from beyond Queensland’s borders.

That outstanding result is a justifiable source of pride to QPAC and Tourism and Events Queensland as founding partners of the Series, and I congratulate them, as well this year’s other presentation partner, Brisbane Festival, on adding ‘Snow White’ to that impressive list of memorable seasons.

Kaye and I had the privilege of seeing the gala opening performance of this astonishing work earlier this month and what is clear from that experience is that the International Series has truly come of age.

Seven years ago, presenting this dark tale of jealousy and intrigue would have been a risk; today, audiences are flocking to see this fabulous thriller with its virtuosic dancing and stunning sets and lighting, not to mention the extraordinary costumes by Jean-Paul Gautier and Mahler’s wonderful music.

The presence in the pit of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra under their Conductor Laureate, Johannes Fritzsch, is evidence of one of the most pleasing aspects of the International Series – its local collaborations and extensive community program. This is not fly-in-fly-out culture; it’s a series and a philosophy which leaves a legacy. On behalf of all Queenslanders, I thank QPAC, and everyone involved, for that – the benefits will be felt in this State for years to come.

Once again, I welcome you all to Government House and congratulate all concerned on this truly remarkable season.

And I add an addendum, ladies and gentlemen:

Danseurs, administrateurs, producteurs…
Vous ouvrez nos imaginations;
Vous élevez nos perceptions;
Vous enrichissez nos existences.
Au nom de tous peuples de Queensland, je vous remercie beaucoup.