En pointe on the silver screen

IT'S not every week or month that we can watch a full fledged classical ballet performance in Singapore. In April, the classical footwork of the Paris Opera Ballet will be beamed onto the silver screen for ballet enthusiasts.

The dance audience will get to see three different works that show off the Paris Opera Ballet's acclaimed technique and versatility. The company is considered to be the birthplace of classical ballet, and last performed live in Singapore in 2012, when they danced "Giselle".

This time around, although the local audience won't get the benefit of live performances, they will get to see pretty historic footage.

In partnership with Golden Village, The Esplanade presents Balanchine and Millepied, La Sylphide and Don Quixote.

Balanchine and Millepied (April 18 and 19 screenings) is a double bill showcasing the similarities and dissonances of New York City Ballet founder George Balanchine and former student Benjamin Millepied.

In 1947, Balanchine made his first production for the Paris Opera Ballet with Le Palais de Cristal. Milliepied's Daphnis and Chloe production is very much in the tradition of Balanchine with its contemporary interpretation.

La Sylphide (April 18 screening), created in 1832 at the Paris Opera, was translated into ballet by Philippe Taglioni and heralded the advent of the Romantic period of ballet.

The emblematic ballet was faithfully reconstructed by Pierre Lacotte, who was able to recreate the grand French romantic style.

Don Quixote (April 19 screening), for example, will be a revival of Kirov's piece and choreographed by the legendary Rudolf Nureyev and was first performed by the Paris Opera Ballet in 1981.

"Screenings are an accessible and affordable alternative to staging the actual theatre or dance performance here and our audience are also kept up to date with award-winning productions by some of the best companies from around the world," notes Christel Hon, a producer at The Esplanade Co Ltd.

Esplanade first screened classics from stage by National Theatre Live! last year and those were very well-received. "This prompted us to take the opportunity to extend screenings to other art forms such as ballet, hence the Paris Opera Ballet screenings in April this year.

So far, reception has been positive and ticket sales are doing well," she adds.

For more information and tickets for the Paris Opera Ballet screenings at The Esplanade Theatre, from April 18-20, please visit www.esplanade.com.sg