Media Release

The National Ballet of Canada Tours to Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris

October 12 – 15, 2024

March 25, 2024… Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, and Barry Hughson, Executive Director, today announced that the company will tour to Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, France October 12 – 15. The engagement follows a previously announced tour to Sadler’s Wells in London. In Paris, the National Ballet will perform an all-Canadian programme of works by acclaimed choreographers Crystal Pite, James Kudelka and William Yong.  

“I am delighted that The National Ballet of Canada will return to Paris this autumn for the first time since 2017. This exciting engagement will follow a Sadler’s Wells performance series in London with both programmes featuring all-Canadian choreographies. The repertoire will showcase the range and artistry of our dancers and celebrate the extraordinary talent in Canada," said Muir. 

Angels’ Atlas by Crystal Pite was created for the National Ballet in 2020 to rapturous reviews. The moving and visually stunning work blew audiences and critics away. The Globe and Mail called Angels’ Atlas “a glimpse into the infinite” and the Toronto Star wrote “human yearning is evoked powerfully onstage”. Set to original music by Owen Belton and choral pieces by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Morten Lauridsen, Angels’ Atlas is a profound work from one of the world’s leading contemporary choreographers. 

Passion by celebrated Canadian choreographer James Kudelka explores relationships of love. The ballet features two couples each stylistically unique – one classical, the other contemporary – who weave within the Corps de Ballet, evoking complex relationships of passion. Passion is set to the first movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Concerto for Piano in D, Op. 61a and recently made its Canadian premiere in November 2023 in Toronto. 

Toronto-based choreographer William Yong’s first commission for The National Ballet of Canada, UtopiVerse, had its world premiere in Toronto on March 20, 2024. The futuristic ballet integrates Yong’s muti-disciplinary experience and showcases the versatility of the National Ballet artists

The National Ballet last performed at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in 2017 with John Neumeier’s Nijinsky. 

The National Ballet of Canada’s tour to Paris is presented by Productions Internationales Albert Sarfati as part of the TranscenDanses series, in collaboration with the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées. 

About the Paris Tour

About Théâtre des Champs-Élysées

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Philanthropic support for Angels’ Atlas is generously provided by An Anonymous Donor, Rosamond Ivey, Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin, The Producers’ Circle, The Volunteer Committee of The National Ballet of Canada and The Gail Hutchison Fund.    

Passion is generously supported by The Gail Hutchison Fund.   

Lead philanthropic support for UtopiVerse is provided by The Hal Jackman Foundation and The Hal Jackman Foundation Fund and an Anonymous donor with additional support by 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 and The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation.  

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, through The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage; and the Government of Ontario through The Honourable Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Artists of the Ballet in Angels' Atlas. Photo by Karolina Kuras.

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