Media Release
World Premiere of Kismet by Jera Wolfe Onstage With Helen Pickett's Emma Bovary
April 28, 2026… Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, shared today that the Summer Season opens with the world premiere of Kismet by Canadian choreographer Jera Wolfe on a programme that includes the return of Helen Pickett’s Emma Bovary at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts May 29 to June 4.
An award-winning performer and choreographer, Wolfe reunites with The National Ballet of Canada for his first mainstage commission. A choreographer of great emotional depth and athleticism, this work follows Wolfe’s 2020 ballet, Soul, for the company’s digital season and was later performed at Harbourfront Centre.
In Kismet, Wolfe works with a much larger ensemble to explore the concept of fate, in context of our relationship with nature, merging his rich influences in classical ballet, contemporary movement and Indigenous expression. Set to two movements from Ezio Bosso’s Symphony No.2, the work follows a central character on a personal journey that is both beautiful and destructive.
Kismet shares a double bill with Pickett’s Emma Bovary, which premiered in 2023 and returns with further exploration and additional scenes. Inspired by Gustave Flaubert’s novel Madame Bovary and co-directed by James Bonas, Pickett delves inside Emma’s restless yearning for life beyond her mundane marriage, exploring desire, betrayal and the search for personal fulfilment. With this searing, yet compassionate portrayal, Pickett cements her status as a leading choreographic storyteller.
Casting to be announced at a later date.
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2025/26 Season Sponsor: BMO
Desjardins Presents Kismet / Emma Bovary
Lead philanthropic support for Kismet is provided by Gretchen Ross in memory of Donald Ross, O.C.
Additional support is provided by The Walter Carsen New Creations Fund and The Delaney Family Foundation.
Lead philanthropic support for Emma Bovary is provided by The Sabourin Family Foundation. Additional support is provided by The Anna McCowan-Johnson New Creations Fund and The Producers’ Circle.
The Producers’ Circle (2024): Gail & Mark Appel, John & Claudine Bailey, Laura Dinner & Richard Rooney, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, 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 Lozinski, O.C. & Joan Lozinski, O.C., The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado, C.M. & Jim Pitblado, C.M., The Harry & Lillian Seymour Family Foundation, The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation and Alexander Younger & Sarah Richardson.
The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Canada Council for the Arts; the Ontario Arts Council; the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council; the Government of Canada – Department of Canadian Heritage with the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages; and the Government of Ontario with the Honourable Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming and Minister of Sport.
Hannah Galway in Emma Bovary. Photo by Bruce Zinger.
For more information and interview opportunities, please contact:
Touchwood PR
Andréa Grau, Founder and OwnerChelsea Cabello, Senior PublicistSydney Clarke, Publicist
NBOC@touchwoodpr.com
The National Ballet of Canada
Catherine Chang, Associate Director of Communications & Content Strategy
Sarah Johnsen, Interim Communications Manager
Media@national.ballet.ca