George Balanchine’s Jewels is a three-part ballet, visually and thematically structured around the motifs of emeralds, rubies and diamonds, and exploring the idea of movement radiating from the body through each specific jewel.

Making its world premiere at New York City Ballet in 1967, Jewels showcased Balanchine’s atmospheric musicality. These contrasting works reflect his time in Paris, New York and St Petersburg through the selection of scores and the defining visual elements of colour, shape and silhouette. Each of the three acts is distinct in style and mood, set to music by three different composers: Gabriel Fauré for Emeralds, Igor Stravinsky for Rubies and Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky for Diamonds. Opulent costumes and sets unify each of the three sections into one regal whole, showcasing the classical precision of The Australian Ballet’s artists.

A mesmerising spectacle that is both soft and sharp, racy and refined, flashy and majestic, Jewels is a lavish work capturing the company’s celebratory spirit. After spectacular seasons in Sydney, Melbourne and London in 2023, we are delighted to bring this sparkling production to Adelaide audiences.