Balanchine Programme
Balanchine Programme
The influence of George Balanchine’s musicality and pure dance aesthetic for classical ballet remains undeniable more than 90 years after he created Apollo, a high point of neoclassical style. Experience the noble beauty of this important ballet in our Balanchine Programme, followed by a dynamic short work from Balanchine’s later repertoire, Tarantella, performed to the exhilarating music of Louis Moreau Gottschalk. This presentation of Apollo and Tarantella is filmed especially for Spotlight Series, The National Ballet of Canada’s virtual 2020/21 season.
Born in St. Petersburg, George Balanchine, co-founder and director of New York City Ballet, is one of the most renowned and prolific choreographers of the 20th century. He is credited with revolutionizing the look of classical ballet for a new era in works of unprecedented musicality and aesthetic brilliance.
Russian composer Igor Stravinsky revolutionized 20th century music with his experimental sounds and rhythms. He was a particularly influential composer for ballet and created original music for numerous works by Serge Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes, including The Firebird, Petrushka and The Rite of Spring.
Alejandro Álvarez Cadilla is a Montréal-based, award-winning writer/director. His films and television productions include the William Fisk documentaries and the critically acclaimed original series Off Kilter for CBC Arts. A former principal and guest artist with some of the most acclaimed ballet companies in the world including Nacho Duato’s Compañía Nacional de Danza and William Forsythe’s Ballett Frankfurt, Alejandro brings an unique approach in filming dance based on his two decades of experience as a dancer.
Louis Moreau Gottschalk was a 19th century composer and pianist with an extensive oeuvre of piano works influenced by his native New Orleans. He is credited as the first American pianist to achieve international success and the first American composer to use Latin American and Creole folk themes and rhythms.
For over 25 years, Paul McNulty has worked as an editor, videographer and producer in television and documentary film as well as having partnered with numerous corporate clients, agencies and arts organizations in branding campaigns and productions. McNulty has worked with The National Ballet of Canada since 2013.
Sean Leonard is the Senior Officer, Web and Digital Media at The National Ballet of Canada. He joined the company in 2015, creating exciting and engaging video content. Leonard studied Post-Production for Film and Television at the Toronto Film School and has worked on short films including Maternal (2018) and the upcoming short Big Wheels (2020).
Apollo
Apollo
Brendan Saye
Terpsichore
Svetlana Lunkina
Polyhymnia
Jeannine Haller
Calliope
Calley Skalnik
Tarantella
Jillian Vanstone and Skylar Campbell
Apollo
Choreography:
George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust
Staged by:
Lindsay Fischer and Christopher Stowell
Music:
Igor Stravinsky, Apollon Musagète
By arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, INC., publisher and copyright owner.
Original Lighting Design:
Robert Thomson, adapted by Jeff Logue
World Premiere:
Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, Théâtre Sarah Bernhardt, Paris, June 12, 1928
The National Ballet of Canada Premiere:
Toronto, February 18, 1999
Apollo, a Balanchine® Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust℠ and has been produced by arrangement with the Balanchine Style® and Balanchine Technique® Service standards established and provided by the Trust.
Apollo is a gift from The Volunteer Committee, The National Ballet of Canada.
Tarantella
Choreography:
George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust
Music:
Louis Moreau Gottschalk
Piano Soloists:
Zhenya Vitort, Edward Connell
Costume Design:
Karinska
Lighting Design:
Jeff Logue
World Premiere: New York City Center of Music and Drama, New York City Ballet, January 7, 1964
The National Ballet of Canada Premiere: Toronto, Ontario, March 29th 2017
Tarantella, a Balanchine® Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust℠ and has been produced by arrangement with the Balanchine Style® and Balanchine Technique® Service standards established and provided by the Trust.
Lead philanthropic support for Spotlight Series provided by The Walter Carsen New Creations Fund, with additional support from the Producers' Circle.
The Producers’ Circle: Gail & Mark Appel, John & Claudine Bailey, Inger Bartlett & Marshal Stearns, Laura Dinner & Richard Rooney, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, The Thor E. and Nicole Eaton Family Charitable Foundation, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Kevin Garland & Roger Garland, C.M., Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin, The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation, Anna McCowan Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C., Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, Jerry & Joan Lozinski, The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., The Harry & Lillian Seymour Family Foundation, Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan and The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation.
Photos:
Brendan Saye in Apollo. Photo by Karolina Kuras.
Heather Ogden, Jeannine Haller, Miyoko Koyasu and Brendan Saye in Apollo. Photo by Karolina Kuras.
Skylar Campbell in Tarantella. Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic.
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