2003 Royal New Zealand Ballet 50th Anniversary.

I've always enjoyed the Ballet but living in a rural area not always get the chance to attend every show. On the internet, that of course, has changed. There is a lot on UTube worth watching and on other sites too. But there is still something special about a live show.
       Many struggle to understand and enjoy ballet. I think other media such as movies and television have played a role in this by giving people a ready-made story complete with realistic scenes etc. There is no imagination involved. No chance to sit back and enjoy the skills and beauty that is found watching ballet. In the labels to the right, I have selected this as being a performing art as I believe that it is.

                 

         Since its creation in 1953, the Royal New Zealand Ballet has always displayed evidence of the kiwi spirit. Today it continues, especially in the eclectic range of dance styles. From classic nineteenth-century productions to contemporary performances which continue to push the boundaries of modern dance. 
        In addition to this anniversary issue, New Zealand Post sponsored the company's nationwide tour New Zealand Post Tutus on Tour. In 2003, the Royal New Zealand Ballet - a corps of 32 accomplished dancers with an extensive repertoire - commemorated its birthday with a 50-centre tour of New Zealand's small-town communities from Kaitaia to Invercargill. It was a dance celebration packed with classical and contemporary ballet sequences, a testament to the people who are the backbone of the company's success.

The Five Stamps.
      This issue of five values marked the 50th anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. That was back in 2003. Today, nearly twenty years later, it is still going. Still turning out wonderful performances. 

40c - '1971 Carmina Burana.'
The Ballet's 1971 production of the modern, 20th century Carmina Burana was choreographed by Bernard Hourseau and starred New Zealand's most well-known dancer, Jon Trimmer. Performed in two acts to the music of German composer Carl Orff, the ballet is based on the manuscripts of 13th century defrocked monks and minstrels.

90c - '1989 Papillon.'
The story of Papillon - of fairies, princes, butterflies, goblins and magic spells - entranced audiences young and old when it toured New Zealand in 1989. Choreographer Paul Jenden endeavoured to recreate the story and choreographic style of the ballet's first performance in 1860, at the Theatre Imperial de l'Opera in Paris.

$1.30 - '2000 Cinderella.'
Prokofiev's Cinderella is considered a modern ballet (it was first performed in 1945), yet its roots are firmly in a classical ground. This popular fairytale of love and destiny comes complete with dazzling costumes, spectacular sets and some wicked characters, in stark contrast to the beautiful Cinderella and her dashing Prince.

$1.50 - '2001 FrENZy.'
The Ballet's 2001 production of Ihi FrENZy was a bold and adventurous step - a boisterous combination of Māori culture, contemporary dance and music by New Zealand's Split Enz. Choreographed by New Zealander Mark Baldwin, the production blended the talents of the Ballet with those of Te Mātārae I Ōrehu, a 40-strong Māori performance group from Rotorua.

$2.00 - '2002 Swan Lake.'
Although its first performance more than 125 years ago was panned by the critics, Swan Lake has endured becoming the most popular of all classical ballet productions. The first of three ballets composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, this timeless story of two intense, yet ultimately doomed lovers has been performed countless times by the world's finest dancers.


Collectable Items.

 First Day Cover - 5 March 2003.


Presentation pack containing a selection of stamp products from the issue and further information on the theme of the stamps.

Limited edition collectable containing exclusive stamp products not available anywhere else.


2003 - Bangkok World Philatelic Exhibition.
The Bangkok 2003 World Philatelic Exhibition took place between 4 - 13 October 2003. Celebrating the 120th anniversary of Thai Post and postage stamps, the exhibition was a highlight of the international stamp-collecting calendar.
New Zealand Post's participation in the exhibition was commemorated by way of a special miniature sheet incorporating Thai dancers and three stamps from the Royal New Zealand Ballet 50th Anniversary stamp issue.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet Exhibition Miniature Sheet with one 40c, one 90c and one $2.00 stamp.

Miniature Sheet First Day Cover - 4 October 2003.


Technical information - Royal New Zealand Ballet. 
Date of issue: 5 March 2003.
The number of stamps: Five.
Denominations and designs: 40c 1971 Carmina Burana, 90c 1989 Papillon, $1.30 2000 Cinderella, $1.50 2001 FrENZy, $2.00 2002 Swan Lake.
Stamps and first day covers designed: CommArts Design, Wellington.
Printer and process: Southern Colour Print, Dunedin by offset lithography
The number of colours: Four process colours.
Stamp size and format: 40mm x 30mm (horizontal and vertical).
Paper type: De la Rue 103gsm red phosphor stamp paper.
Perforation gauge: 14.
The number of stamps per sheet: 50.
Period of sale: These stamps remained on sale until 4 March 2004.


Technical information - Bangkok World Philatelic Exhibition. 
Date of issue: 4 October 2003.
Miniature sheet and exhibition souvenir cover designed: CommArts Design, Wellington.
Cost of miniature sheet: $3.30.
Cost of souvenir cover: $3.80.
Printer: Southern Colour Print, Dunedin.
The number of colours: Four process colours.
Miniature sheet size: 110mm x 80mm.  
Paper type: 103gsm Tullis Russell red phosphor stamp paper.
The number of stamps: Three.
Period of sale: These stamps remained on sale until 3 October 2004.


Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ
You can visit their website and Online Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/

Information & images for this post came from.