The Royal New Zealand Ballet marks the beginning of its eighth decade as New Zealand’s national ballet company with Lightscapes, a collection of works which celebrate the endless possibilities of light, space and the human body – the essence and wonder of dance.

Created for this special moment, we are honoured to present Te Ao Mārama, a new work by Moss Te Ururangi Patterson. Inspired by haka and powered by the strength of the men of the RNZB, this will be a striking, and lasting addition to the RNZB’s repertoire and one which we hope will resonate around the world as well as in Aotearoa.

Plotless, yet somehow laden with meaning and unspoken narratives, George Balanchine’s Serenade fills the stage with exquisite movement and deep emotion. Serenade (1934) was first staged for the then-New Zealand Ballet by the late Una Kai in 1975 and holds a special place in the hearts of generations of dancers, here, and around the world.

Annabelle Lopez Ochoa will stage the New Zealand premiere of her Requiem for a Rose, created for Pennsylvania Ballet in 2009 as an exploration of love, romantic and idealized, versus lasting and real. Hearts beat fast as love blooms into intoxicating rapture, but will passion endure?

As a final embodiment of the spirit of dance, the RNZB is proud to offer Logos by company alumna Alice Topp. Logos will transport viewers to a world of pure physicality, borne aloft by mesmerizing music and audacious design. Inspired by the storms that we all weather – fears, fights, darkness and demons – Logos ends with clarity, purpose and hope for the future.

Performing in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland only, from 27 July – 12 August.