Free: Spartacus by Australian Ballet, 23 July to 6 August

Photo courtesy of Australian Ballet

Ballet transports you to places, sometimes faraway and magical lands. It makes you let go of your anxieties and experience the thrill and liberation of every leap and lift. Since its invention in Italian Renaissance courts from the 15th century to today, ballet as an art form has offered an escape from the troubles of life.

To help Australians cope with the COVID-19 isolation, the Australian Ballet is offering free online access to high-definition videos of their full-length performances. Each production is released on Thursdays from 5pm AEST and available for two weeks. Click on this link to enjoy each production – https://australianballet.com.au/the-ballets/digital-season. Regrettably, there is no access for our international readers.

Spartacus tells the story of a gladiator who leads a slaves’ rebellion against the Roman empire. Charting the journey of a man finding passionate love, his mission and freedom, the ballet showcases the company’s men at their spirited and athletic best.

The ballet is composed by Adam Khachaturiana and initially choreographed by Leonid Yakobson. It is one of the representative works of the neoclassical period that emerged in the early 20th century, when artists began to rebel against the overly dramatic works of the Romantic period. It remains one of Khachaturian's best-known works and is frequently performed by ballet companies around the world.

The Australian Ballet is the largest classical ballet company in Australia, inspiring and delighting audiences since 1962. It is also the nation’s premiere dance company, presenting performances each year in capital cities, regional centres and schools around the country.