Brisbane Festival: Gems by L.A Dance Project

Brisbane Festival presents the world premiere of Gems by L.A. Dance Project, a landmark ballet trilogy from acclaimed Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied. Performed in full for the first time, this contemporary ballet reimagines the spirit of George Balanchine’s Jewels for a new generation.

The Australian exclusive and world premiere is a collaboration with Van Cleef & Arpels — the French high jewellery house whose connection to dance began in the 1960s, when founder Claude Arpels encouraged George Balanchine’s creation of three-part ballet Jewels. Decades later, the legacy continues with Gems, a breathtaking triptych that reimagines Balanchine’s masterpiece through a modern lens.

The trilogy opens with Reflections, a minimalist and evocative work featuring David Lang’s solo piano score and arresting visual design by artist Barbara Kruger, performed live by pianist Yanfeng (Tony) Bai. Hearts & Arrows follows with high-energy ensemble work set to a Philip Glass composition, accompanied live by Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. Finally, On the Other Side brings the trilogy to a contemplative close, with Yanfeng (Tony) Bai returning to perform Philip Glass’ piano etudes beneath Benjamin Millepied’s flowing, propulsive choreography.

Twelve years in the making, the world premiere of Gems – a luminous centrepiece of Brisbane Festival’s 2025 program – invites audiences to experience this groundbreaking trilogy performed in its entirety for the very first time.

Image credit: Laurent Philippe