The introduction of George Balanchine to the New Zealand Ballet
Artistic Director Una Kai was the first to introduce the work of renowned choreographer George Balanchine to the company.
Serenade
Serenade was the first performance of this large-scale Balanchine ballet in New Zealand.
George Balanchine supported Una Kai and the New Zealand Ballet by not charging any fees for her stagings of his works during her directorship.
Jenny Tate, Yvonne Parnell and John Shields in Serenade by George Balanchine, staged by Una Kai in 1975.
Concerto Barocco
Yvonne Parnell and John Shields in Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, 1974.
Photograph by John Ashton, RNZB Collection, PA1-q-1074-16 ATL
Grand Pas Hongrois
Jenny Tate and Marc Stevens in Balanchine’s Grand Pas Hongrois from Raymonda, with costumes by Jock Stockwell, 1974.
Photograph by John Ashton, RNZB Collection, PA1-q-1075-6 ATL