The Art of Ballet Session 1 A brief talk on the history of ballet from 14th century to the 20th century followed by a performance (DVD) of the best known ballet of all ‘Swan Lake’. Session 2 A brief explanation of the French and Russian influences on ballet and their different styles and schools underlined by a performance (DVD) of the ‘Flames of Paris’. Session 3 An introductory talk about ballet in Australia supported by a performance (DVD) of the production by the Australian Ballet’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’, a spectacular and lavish production. Session 4 A brief talk about ballet training featuring ‘The Little Rats’ of the Paris Opera highlighting the diversity of today’s ballet. A performance (DVD) of two completely different ballets by the same choreographer, ‘Elite Syncopations’ and ‘Concerts’. Session 5 An introduction to the great partnerships in the world of ballet featuring Fonteyn and Nureyev, Diaghilev and Stravinsky and others to be followed by a beautiful performance (DVD) of ‘Giselle’ with partner team Alina Cojocaru and Johan Kobburg. Session 6 A brief talk about choreographers and their desire to modernise as shown in contemporary ballet. Finally a performance (DVD) of Matthew Bourne’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’.