Terra Australis (1946 - )

Peggy Sager, Martin Rubinstein and Vassilie Trunoff in 'Terra Australis', Borovansky Ballet, 1946

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What was perhaps the first all-Australian ballet, Terra Australis, premiered in Melbourne on 25 May 1946. Performed by the Borovansky Ballet it was choreographed by Edouard Borovansky, newly naturalised as an Australian, to a libretto by Tom Rothfield and a commissioned score by Esther Rofe. The ballet dealt with the colonisation of Australia by white explorers. Australia was represented by a young virgin, the Spirit of Australia, who was courted by an Aborignal lover but drawn to a white explorer. The original cast included Peggy Sager as the Spirit of Australia, Martin Rubinstein as the Explorer and Vassilie Trunoff as the Aborigine. Designs for the 1946 production were by Eve Harris.

Terra Australis was restaged by the Borovansky Ballet in 1947 when Kathleen Gorham danced the role of the Spirit of Australia. At this time the work was partly redesigned by Wiliam Constable who made a new backcloth. The original costumes by Eve Harris were retained.

For a further discussion of Terra Australis and its creation see 'Terra Australis' in National Library of Australia News, October 2003.

Bibliography:

Keith Parker, 'An Australian Ballet is Made', Ballet (London: Ballet Publications), 2, (No. 3, August, 1946), pp. 57-59.

See also: Borovansky Ballet ; Constable, William (Bill) ; Gorham, Kathleen ; Rubinstein, Martin ; Sager, Peggy ; Trunoff, Vassilie

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Find more about Terra Australis in:

• Internet - Google
• Articles - New York Public Library Dance Collection
• Pictures - Picture Australia