Hope's Insights on Flight Pattern

Our Artistic Director Shares Her Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to experience the North American premiere of Crystal Pite’s Flight Pattern, which we present with Serge Lifar’s glorious Suite en Blanc for our Winter Mixed Programme. It’s my pleasure to provide some background on both works before you attend.

  • Artists of The Royal Ballet in Flight Pattern. Photo by Tristram Kenton. Courtesy of The Royal Ballet.

    Artists of The Royal Ballet in Flight Pattern. Photo by Tristram Kenton. Courtesy of The Royal Ballet.

Flight Pattern

Crystal created Flight Pattern for The Royal Ballet in 2017 in response to the refugee crisis, approaching it as a universal expression of human displacement. Set to the first movement of Henryk Górecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, the work unfolds as an anguished migration of 36 individuals bound by circumstance yet distinct in their experiences of grief and longing. Górecki literally gives voice to their suffering, as a mother’s lament for her lost son. I am honoured to welcome Canadian Soprano Measha Brueggergosman-Lee to the Four Seasons Centre for this exquisite vocal performance, marking her first appearance with both The National Ballet of Canada and the Four Seasons Centre.

Flight Pattern deepens our connection to Crystal’s choreography following her two major creations for this company, Emergence (2009) and Angels’ Atlas (2020). I am committed to strengthening the relationship with Crystal and will continue to present her work in upcoming seasons.

  • Former First Soloist Chelsy Meiss, Tene Ward and Monika Haczkiewicz in Suite en Blanc. Photo by Karolina Kuras.

    Former First Soloist Chelsy Meiss, Tene Ward and Monika Haczkiewicz in Suite en Blanc. Photo by Karolina Kuras.

Suite en Blanc

I was thrilled to acquire Serge Lifar’s Suite en Blanc for the National Ballet in 2024, expanding our legacy repertoire with a celebration of the French school. A full company work anchored in classical choreography, the ballet is a delight to watch and incredibly challenging to perform – dynamic, chic and precise. The sparse setting and brilliant white costumes put the dancers’ athleticism on full display as they articulate Édouard Lalo’s music, creating unforgettable moments of strength and beauty.

Thank you so much for joining us,

Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director

Flight Pattern is onstage with Suite en Blanc February 27 – March 6.

About The Programme

  • Artists of The Royal Ballet in Flight Pattern. Photo by Tristram Kenton. Courtesy of The Royal Ballet.

    Artists of The Royal Ballet in Flight Pattern. Photo by Tristram Kenton. Courtesy of The Royal Ballet.

Top Photo: Hope Muir. Photo by Ted Belton.