Rockland — In response to popular demand by audiences, the Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., will launch a new spring HD dance series one Wednesday evening a month through May, beginning Feb. 27. Screenings will be at 7 p.m.

The series will open with “Don Quixote” performed by the Ballet Opera de Paris. “The Knight of the Sad Face and his faithful squire Sancho Panza are mixed up in the wild love affairs of the stunning Kitri and the seductive Basilio in a richly colorful, humorous and virtuoso ballet. Marius Petipa’s “Don Quixote” premiered in Moscow in 1869. In 1981, Rudolf Nureyev introduced his own version of the work into the Paris Opera’s repertoire. While retaining the great classical pages and the strong, fiery dances, the choreographer gave greater emphasis to the comic dimension. The HD performance was captured live at the Paris Opera House on Dec. 18, 2012.

“Swan Lake, Vienna 1966” on March 27 will take the audience back in time to witness a historic Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn tour de force in a never-before-seen high definition restoration of their 1966 performance of the Tchaikovsky's classic ballet at the Vienna State Opera House. The piece was choreographed by Nureyev who, with Fonteyn, revolutionized the world of ballet by crossing the borders between classical ballet and modern dance. Hailed as the greatest ballet partnership of all time, Nureyev once said that they danced with “one body and one soul.”

“Bodas de Sangre/Suite Flamenca” on April 24 will ignite the screen with the passion, color and rhythm of Spain. Two distinct works — “Blood Wedding” and “Suite Flamenca” — combine for a combustible performance from Madrid’s Teatro Real. In 1974, Antonio Gades took a huge step forward for Spanish dance with the creation of his ballet “Blood Wedding” (“Bodas De Sangre”), based on the play by Federico García Lorca who, in turn, was inspired by the news of an incident that took place in Nijar in 1928. Starring Vanesa Vento, Joaquín Mulero and Maite Chico, the performance was captured live on May 9, 2011 in Madrid.

“Mahler 3rd Symphony Ballet” on May 29, written as "a great hymn to the glory of all creation," combined with John Neumeier's lyrical and powerful choreography, creates an elegant and inspired evening of dance. Performed by the Ballet Opera de Paris, the piece is an osmosis between music and dance, shot through with a palette of emotions from existential angst to mystical faith. Chorus and soloists accompany the dancers’ elegant movements, curved lines and vertiginous lifts. The performance will be captured live on April 18 at Paris Opera House for this broadcast.

“La Sylphide” on June 26 will conclude the Strand’s dance series. One of the oldest surviving Romantic ballets, “La Sylphide” features an all-star cast including Aurelie Dupont and Mathieu Ganio in this production from the Ballet Opera de Paris, captured live in July 2004.

Tickets are $15, $10 for students. For more information on all upcoming concerts, films, HD broadcasts and events at the Strand, visit rocklandstrand.com; call 594-0070, ext. 5; or send email to info@rocklandstrand.com.

Courier Publications’ A&E Editor Dagney C. Ernest can be reached at (207) 594-4401, ext. 115 or dernest@courierpublicationsllc.com.