“Pas de deux are the best part of my job. Dancing with someone, together, is a kind of special that words cannot describe.” Robert Curran
A steamy seduction between young lovers. A tragic duet ending in death and love lost. A powerful partnership in which dancers reach monumental heights of physical ability. Pas de deux, French for ‘dance for two’, come in many forms and Principal Artist Robert Curran can’t dance enough of them. In no particular order, these are three of Robert’s favourites. The duet above is from Kenneth MacMillan’s smouldering ballet Manon.
Robert Curran and Kirsty Martin in Manon. Photography Justin Smith
Christopher Wheeldon’s After the Rain© is only 15 minutes long but is deeply tender, full of intimate gestures, and often features multiple couples on stage at once. Robert Curran loves to dance this with “everyone and anyone”. Here he performs with Principal Artist Danielle Rowe. Last month, he performed the duet with Lucinda Dunn at the suitably romantic qualia resort.
Robert Curran and Danielle Rowe in After the Rain©. Photography David Kelly
Robert Curran and Rachel Rawlins were nominated for Green Room Awards for their performance of Jiří Kylián’s Petit Mort in 2005. The Sunday Herald Sun said: “Rachel Rawlins, partnered by brilliantly by Robert Curran, is flawless”.
WOW! I love pas de deux, so beautiful!
The pas de deux in the bedroom of Des Grieux from MacMillan’s Manon happen to be also one of my favourites.
Sometimes I think part of the magic in ballet is the fact that when the dancers, music and choreography all work together in a pas de deux, the audience can feel the intimacy, happiness and the love between the characters
I reckon it’s very hard to convey such feelings within classical ballet as costumes, sets and dance steps are all very classy and elegant. The audience is easily impressed by the look of everything than to be touched by the close and tightly-bonded relationship between characters.
However, I have seen so many dancers out there that are capable of reaching & then surpassing the graceful look of ballet, delving into the emotions of the characters which certainly takes the audience to another level of the performance! Keep the goodness coming!
The most magical and breathtaking moments I’ve enjoyed in many years of The Australian Ballet seasons are those where Robert Curran has partnered our top ballerinas. Who can forget his Don Q, Manon and Swan Lake. Exquisite moments of tenderness, passion and perfection. Pas de deux where the whole audience holds its breath in the moment and sighs with emotion as the dance concludes.
Robert is so THE Perfect dancer for the par de deux, he so embraces the roles, so enhances the beauty of his partner and is such a tender yet powerful dancer.Thanks Robert, we can’t see enough of you. Congratulations on Jack, what a wonderful extension to your already brilliant career.
qualia must have been such a wonderful experience for those blessed to see you dancing there in that amazing setting
Pienso que Robert tiene la magia de la excelencia del gran bailarín, la figura que no necesita mostrar mas allá porque solo su presencia inunda el escenario de arte del danzar, un perfecto partener acompañando con el amor que solo los grandes bailarines pueden hacerlo, destacando la belleza de la prima donna, para hacer sublime el momento del paux de deus
como el mismo lo dice:
Pas de deux are the best part of my job.
Thanks Robert, we can’t see enough of you. Congratulations on Jack, what a wonderful extension to your already brilliant career. Who can forget his Don Q, Manon and Swan Lake. Exquisite moments of tenderness, passion and perfection.
So nice picture!
To watch someone with the talent of Robert during a powerful and intense Pas de deux is a great privilege.The emotion shared in that moment is so real that the audience becomes transported,and is at one with the dancers.
The choreography and tremendous passion all blend together and make a very magical experience that no one can forget.
[...] to Katherine who responded to Robert Curran’s top pas de deux with fascinating thoughts on how emotions are conveyed through classical dance. You’ve won a [...]