Modern Masterpieces
Modern Masterpieces
Experience the work of today’s leading choreographers in Modern Masterpieces, featuring excerpts from our recent repertoire. First is Alexei Ratmansky’s Piano Concerto #1, the third part of his Shostakovich Trilogy honouring Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich. Next, Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, a playful interpretation of sexual climax as a “small death.” Finally, Wayne McGregor’s Chroma, celebrating the physicality of the body in dialogue with music, architecture and light.
Born in St. Petersburg, Alexei Ratmansky is a choreographer and former ballet dancer. He is Artist-in-Residence at American Ballet Theatre and former Artistic Director of The Bolshoi Ballet. He has created new work for ballet companies around the world, including Romeo and Juliet for The National Ballet of Canada in 2011.
Dmitri Shostakovich was one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century. His body of work includes ballets, musical comedies and film scores in addition to classical chamber music. He endured periods of censorship and criticism in totalitarian Russia despite his success.
Jiří Kylián was Artistic Director of Nederlands Dans Theater for nearly 25 years and he founded NDT III, a company devoted to older dancers. After his retirement in 1999, he served as Resident Choreographer until 2009. He has created more than 100 ballets for companies around the world.
Born in Austria, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was one of the most influential and popular composers of the 18th century classical period. His diverse body of work includes symphonies, choral music and his ever popular operas.
English choreographer Wayne McGregor has gained international recognition for his kinetic, interdisciplinary approach to dance. He is Artistic Director of Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, Artistic Associate at Sadler's Wells Theatre and since 2006, Resident Choreographer at The Royal Ballet – the first contemporary choreographer ever to hold this position.
English composer Joby Talbot has written widely for opera and dance. His collaborations include Wayne McGregor’s Chroma and Entity, and Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Winter’s Tale, both co-productions between The Royal Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada.
Piano Concerto #1
Elena Lobsanova and Brendan Saye
Tina Pereira and Skylar Campbell
Soo Ah Kang, Jimmy Coleman, Christopher Gerty, Kathryn Hosier, Jaclyn Oakley, Genevieve Penn-Nabity, Clare Peterson, Teagan Richman-Taylor, Nicholas Rose, Tene Ward, Ethan Watts, Isaac Wright
Petite Mort
Tina Pereira and Spencer Hack
Hannah Fischer and Brendan Saye
Greta Hodgkinson and Guillaume Côté
Elena Lobsanova, Jenna Savella
Chroma
Skylar Campbell, Christopher Gerty, Tanya Howard, Svetlana Lunkina, Siphesihle November, Heather Ogden, Brent Parolin, Tina Pereira, Brendan Saye, Alexander Skinner
Piano Concerto #1
Choreography:
Alexei Ratmansky
Staged by:
Felipe Diaz
Music:
Dmitri Shostakovich, Concerto No.1 for Piano, Trumpet, and Strings, Opus 35
Piano Soloist:
Zhenya Vitort
Trumpet Soloist:
L Richard Sandals
Set Design:
George Tsypin
Costume Design:
Keso Dekker
Lighting Design:
Jennifer Tipton
Répétiteur:
Lindsay Fischer
Premiere: American Ballet Theatre, Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, New York, October 18, 2012
The National Ballet of Canada Premiere: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, May 30, 2015
Lead philanthropic support for Piano Concerto #1 is provided by an anonymous friend of the National Ballet and The Producers’ Circle.
Petite Mort
Choreography:
Jiří Kylián
Staged by:
Roslyn Anderson
Music:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Piano Concerto in A Major (KV 488), Adagio & Piano Concerto in C Major (KV 467)
Set Design:
Jiří Kylián
Costume Design:
Joke Visser
Lighting Design:
Jiří Kylián, Joop Caboort (Realisation)
Technical Consultant:
Joost Biegelaar
Répétiteur:
Rex Harrington
Premiere: Nederlands Dans Theater, Salzburg, Austria, August 23, 1991
The National Ballet of Canada Premiere: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, November 27, 2019
Chroma
Choreography:
Wayne McGregor
Staged by:
Odette Hughes
Music:
Joby Talbot and Jack White, The White Stripes
Set Design:
John Pawson
Costume Design:
Moritz Junge
Lighting Design:
Lucy Carter
Répétiteur:
Rex Harrington
Premiere: The Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, UK, November 17, 2006
The National Ballet of Canada Premiere: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, November 24, 2010
Chroma is produced in association with The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London.
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:
Tanya Howard and Christopher Gerty in Chroma. Photo by Johan Persson.
Koto Ishihara and Naoya Ebe with Artists of the Ballet in Piano Concerto #1. Photo by Karolina Kuras.
Spencer Hack and Tina Pereira in Petite Mort. Photo by Karolina Kuras.
Alexander Skinner, Skylar Campbell and Siphesihle November in Chroma. Photo by Karolina Kuras.
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