Founded in 1748, the Royal Danish Ballet is the world's third-oldest ballet company. Its remarkable dedication to the works of August Bournonville-- no other company has kept as many of the great choreographer's ballets in its repertory-- represents the core of the troupe's activities. But the company has also developed a robust modern style, collaborating with today's top choreographers. Both past and present will be on display as the dancers perform two programs in Zellerbach Hall. The first features Bournonville's timeless Romantic masterpiece La Sylphide and Flemming Flindt's demonically captivating The Lesson (based on Ionesco's absurdist classic). The second is an ambitious survey of modern Nordic choreography by some of today's most adventurous dance-makers.