The name is a byword for exacting standards and grand tradition. The Bolshoi Ballet, at the peak of the ballet world, is coming exclusively to Brisbane, to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (26 June-7 July). The Bolshoi Ballet is no stranger to Brisbane; it was brought decades ago by the Edgleys and most recently in 2013 by QPAC. But there has been a big change at the Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre since that last visit. Makhar Vaziev was appointed Ballet Director in 2016 in the wake of a period of scandals which culminated in an acid attack by a young dancer on Sergei Filin, the then Director. Makhar Vaziev came back to his homeland trailing glory after hugely successful terms as Director at the Mariinsky Ballet in St Petersburg (previously known by its Soviet name as the Kirov Ballet) and then at the Teatro alla Scala Ballet in Milan. Vaziev is a perfectionist who respects the tradition of the Bolshoi while looking to new choreographers to add to, but not replace, the company’s grand repertoire.

The Bolshoi will present two programs in Brisbane: Spartacus and Jewels. A story beloved by the Soviet regime, Spartacus is choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich, now 92 years old but a legend in the history of the Bolshoi.

Jewels was choreographed by George Balanchine, a towering figure in 20th century dance, especially in the USA. He chose music by different composers to represent each jewel in the three acts, here to be played by Queensland Symphony Orchestra.