Ballet Notes

IN COLOUR & EMERGENCE & DEXTRIS March 4-8, 2009

Aleksandar Antonijevic Photo by Sian Richards. 2008/09 Souvenir Book On Sale Now in the Lobby

Featuring beautiful new images by Canadian photographer Sian Richards

Alejandra Perez-Gomez Photo by Sian Richards. Orchestra

Violins Horns Fujiko Imajishi, Gary Pattison, Principal Concertmaster Vincent Barbee Lynn Kuo, Derek Conrod Assistant Concertmaster Scott Wevers Dominique Laplante, Trumpets Celia Franca, C.C., Founder Principal Second Violin Richard Sandals, Principal James Aylesworth Mark Dharmaratnam George Crum, Music Director Emeritus Jennie Baccante Raymond Tizzard Karen Kain, C.C. Kevin Garland • Sheldon Grabke Xiao Grabke Trombones Artistic Director Executive Director • Nancy Kershaw David Archer, Principal David Briskin Rex Harrington, O.C. Sonia Klimasko-Leheniuk Robert Ferguson Music Director and Artist-in-Residence Csaba Koczó David Pell, Principal Conductor Yakov Lerner Bass Trombone Jayne Maddison Tuba Magdalena Popa Lindsay Fischer Ron Mah Sasha Johnson Principal Artistic Coach Artistic Director, Aya Miyagawa YOU dance / Ballet Master Wendy Rogers Harp Aleksandar Antonijevic, Guillaume Côté, Filip Tomov Lucie Parent, Principal Joanna Zabrowarna Chan Hon Goh, Greta Hodgkinson, Timpany Paul Zevenhuizen Nehemiah Kish, Zdenek Konvalina, Michael Perry, Principal Violas Heather Ogden, Sonia Rodriguez, Percussion Angela Rudden, Principal Piotr Stanczyk, Xiao Nan Yu Robert Comber, Principal Theresa Rudolph Koczó, Mark Mazur Victoria Bertram, Kevin D. Bowles, Assistant Pincipal Lorna Geddes,Tomas Schramek, Valerie Kuinka Keyboards Hazaros Surmeyan* Johann Lotter Edward Connell Beverley Spotton Mark Harjes + Christopher Body, Keiichi Hirano, Tanya Howard , Larry Toman Stephanie Hutchison, Richard Landry, Orchestra Personnel Etienne Lavigne, Patrick Lavoie, Cellos Manager and Music Stacey Shiori Minagawa, Rebekah Rimsay+, Maurizio Baccante, Administrator Jillian Vanstone, Bridgett Zehr Principal Jean Verch Olga Laktionova Assistant Orchestra Alexandra Golden, Tina Pereira, Alejandra Perez-Gomez, • Andrew McIntosh + Personnel Manager Jonathan Renna, Lisa Robinson , Avinoam Silverman Marianne Pack Raymond Tizzard Elaine Thompson Wei Chen, Jordana Daumec, Krista Dowson, Nadine Drouin, Naoya Ebe, Selene Guerrero-Trujillo, Juri Hiraoka, Klara Houdet, Paul Widner Library Assistant Lucie Parent Tamara Jones, Lise-Marie Jourdain, James Leja, Martin Lindinger, Basses Elena Lobsanova, Noah Long, Alexandra MacDonald, Elizabeth Marrable, Catherine Maitland, Antonella Martinelli, Hans J.F. Preuss, Principal Extra Players Chelsy Meiss, Tiffany Mosher, Amber Munro, Andreea Olteanu, Paul Langley Anne Armstrong, Violin Marissa Parzei, Jenna Savella, James Shee, Christopher Stalzer, Robert Speer Mia King, Violin Robert Stephen, Brett van Sickle, Nan Wang, Joseph Welbes, Cary Takagaki Renée London, Violin Aarik Wells, Sarah Wolff Sonia Vizante, Violin Flutes Nicholaos Papadakis, RBC Apprentice Programme / YOU dance: Ryan Booth, Leslie J. Allt, Principal Viola Mark Dennis, Sara Garbowski, Nikki Holck, Claire Maurey, Maria Pelletier Shino Mori, Ian Parsons, Brendan Saye, Julia Sedwick, Jill Vitols, Cello Shelley Brown, Piccolo Thomas Snee Richard Moore, Peter Ottmann Mandy-Jayne Oboes Percussion Mark Rogers, Principal Senior Ballet Master Richardson Senior Ballet Mistress Karen Rotenberg • On Leave of Absence Lesley Young, Lorna Geddes Tomas Schramek English Horn Pointe Shoe Manager/ Assistant Ballet Master Clarinets Assistant Ballet Mistress Max Christie, Principal Joysanne Sidimus Ernest Abugov Emily Marlow Guest Repetiteur Jeff Morris Gary Kidd, Bass Clarinet Stage Managers Bassoons Janelle Rainville Lani Martel Stephen Mosher, Principal Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager Jerry Robinson YOU dance Elizabeth Gowen, Contra Bassoon *Guest Artist-in-Residence +On maternity leave The 2008/09 season is presented by:

Wednesday March 4, 2009 at 7:30 pm Saturday March 7, 2009 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm Thursday March 5, 2009 at 7:30 pm Sunday March 8, 2009 at 2:00 pm Friday March 6, 2009 at 7:30 pm

IN COLOUR World Premiere Choreography: Peter Quanz Original Commissioned Score: Anton Lubchenko Set and Costume Design: Michael Gianfrancesco Lighting Design: Christopher Dennis

Conductor: Judith Yan, Assistant Conductor

For Elena Tchernichova.

IN COLOUR by Peter Quanz is a gift from THE VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE, THE NATIONAL BALLET OF .

WHITE Xiao Nan Yu or Heather Ogden or Stephanie Hutchison, Bridgett Zehr or Elena Lobsanova, Krista Dowson, Alexandra Golden, Alejandra Perez-Gomez, Zdenek Konvalina or Aleksandar Antonijevic, Keiichi Hirano or James Shee, Guillaume Côté or Noah Long, Jonathan Renna or Brett van Sickle, Robert Stephen

RED Jillian Vanstone (March 4, 7 eve) Jenna Savella (March 5, 7 mat) Tina Pereira (March 6, 8)

YELLOW Keiichi Hirano (March 4, 6, 7 eve) James Shee (March 5, 7 mat, 8)

PINK AND PURPLE Bridgett Zehr and Guillaume Côté (March 4, 6, 7 eve) Elena Lobsanova and Noah Long (March 5, 7 mat, 8)

CHARTREUSE Krista Dowson, Alexandra Golden, Alejandra Perez-Gomez

BLUE Zdenek Konvalina (March 4, 6, 7 eve) Aleksandar Antonijevic (March 5, 7 mat, 8)

Page 4 national.ballet.ca GREEN Xiao Nan Yu (March 4, 7 eve) Heather Ogden (March 5, 7 mat) Stephanie Hutchison (March 6, 8)

GREY Nadine Drouin, Selene Guerrero-Trujillo, Juri Hiraoka or Tamara Jones, Lise-Marie Jourdain, Alexandra MacDonald, Catherine Maitland, Elizabeth Marrable, Andreea Olteanu, Marissa Parzei

Wei Chen or Christopher Stalzer, Naoya Ebe, James Leja, Martin Lindinger or Avinoam Silverman, Jonathan Renna or Brett van Sickle, Robert Stephen, Nan Wang, Joseph Welbes, Aarik Wells

Intermission

Emergence World Premiere Choreography: Crystal Pite Original Commissioned Score: Owen Belton Set Design: Jay Gower Taylor Costume Design: Linda Chow Lighting Design: Alan Brodie Assistant to the Choreographer: Hope Muir

Emergence by Crystal Pite is generously supported by Gail Hutchison.

Aleksandar Antonijevic, Kevin D. Bowles, Wei Chen, Guillaume Côté, Jordana Daumec, Krista Dowson, Naoya Ebe, Alexandra Golden, Juri Hiraoka, Greta Hodgkinson, Klara Houdet, Stephanie Hutchison, Tamara Jones, Lise-Marie Jourdain, Zdenek Konvalina, Richard Landry, Etienne Lavigne, Patrick Lavoie, Martin Lindinger, James Leja, Alexandra MacDonald, Elizabeth Marrable, Antonella Martinelli, Tiffany Mosher, Heather Ogden, Andreea Olteanu, Marissa Parzei, Alejandra Perez-Gomez, Jonathan Renna, Jenna Savella, Avinoam Silverman, Christopher Stalzer, Robert Stephen, Brett van Sickle, Nan Wang, Joseph Welbes, Aarik Wells, Bridgett Zehr

Understudies: Nadine Drouin, Selene Guerrero-Trujillo, Catherine Maitland

Intermission

Page 5 DEXTRIS World Premiere Choreography: Sabrina Matthews Music: Antonio Vivaldi, Dixit Dominus, RV 594 Costume Design: Caroline O’Brien Lighting Design: Christopher Dennis Chorus: Members of Mendelssohn Choir – Noel Edison, Artistic Director Soloists: Kathleen Brett, soprano Teiya Kasahara, soprano Marion Newman, contralto Michael Colvin, tenor Alain Coulombe, bass

Conductor: David Briskin, Music Director and Principal Conductor

Dedicated to Demetrios Yiokaris.

DEXTRIS by Sabrina Matthews is a gift from THE VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE, THE NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA.

Heather Ogden and Piotr Stanczyk or Bridgett Zehr and Etienne Lavigne, Sonia Rodriguez and Jonathan Renna or Xiao Nan Yu and James Shee, Stacey Shiori Minagawa and Keiichi Hirano or Alejandra Perez-Gomez and Christopher Stalzer, Tina Pereira and Kevin D. Bowles or Jordana Daumec and Martin Lindinger, Jillian Vanstone and James Shee or Jenna Savella and James Leja

Chorus Sopranos Susan Brown, Joanne Chapin, Eunsil Choi, Samantha Clarke, Susanna Cummings, Sheila Dietrich, Stacy Ernst, Julia Goss, Merry-Anne Hutton, Larisa Isakharova, Christine Kerr, Marlene L. Lynds, Frances Mills, Catherine Short, Jennifer Taverner, Anne Thorne, Jennifer Ujimoto

Altos Marlo Alcock, Anna Belikova, Carolyn Campbell, Eun Koung Kim, Valery Kondrashov, Valarie Koziol, Jessica Lloyd, Sue Newman, Nellie Scholtes, Carol Small

Tenors Joseph Hsieh, Ross Inglis, Kimber Jonah, Robert Kinar, Y. Chung Li, Roger Musselman, Mike Sawarna, Steve Szmutni

Basses John Brandsema, Goody Cabral, Barry Clegg, Tom Gamblin, Miles Hearn, Lawrie McEwan, Daniel Parkinson, Phil Penney, Kevin Sean Pook, Karel Tamchyna, Eric C.H. Tang, Alan Ward

All casting is subject to change.

Page 6 national.ballet.ca Innovation IN COLOUR & EMERGENCE & DEXTRIS

hen the 2008/09 season was first W announced, Artistic Director Karen Kain’s decision to commission three new short ballets from three Canadian choreographers was greeted with enthusiasm. As Kain explains, this unprecedented programme of three world premieres introduces “our audiences to Canadian choreographic talent that is making itself known both nationally and internationally.” Appropriately named Innovation, these works capture a moment in post-modern ballet history and showcase the homegrown talent of three gifted choreographers – Sabrina Matthews, Peter Quanz and Crystal Pite. At only 29 years old, Kitchener-born Peter Peter Quanz Choreographer, IN COLOUR Quanz has the assurance and self- Photo by V. Tony Hauser. possession of a person twice his age. With IN has choreographed works for companies the COLOUR, Quanz has created a ballet of epic world over including , proportions. His unwavering regard for Studio Company, rigorous technique coupled with an exacting The Banff Centre for the Arts, Les Grands musicality might draw comparison to Ballets Canadiens de Montréal and Balanchine – and Quanz’s collaboration with . Two particular highlights 23 year-old Russian composer Anton include the critically-acclaimed Kaleidoscope, Lubchenko is likewise reminiscent of the a 2005 commission for American Ballet famed neo-classical choreographer’s Theatre set to Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano association with Igor Stravinsky. Concerto No. 5, and Aria Suspended, a Quanz attended a high school for the commission for the Kirov Ballet set to performing arts in his hometown before Stravinsky’s Symphony in C that premiered at heading west and attending Canada’s Royal the Mariinsky Theatre in July 2007. Winnipeg Ballet School. There his childhood An avid reader and modern art enthusiast, ambition to become a choreographer was IN COLOUR was inspired by the 1995 book fuelled by ceaseless curiosity and a timely Chroma: A Book of Colour by British film scholarship that took him to Europe to study director, stage designer, visual artist and the craft of making ballets. Since then writer Derek Jarman. Jarman’s collection of Quanz’s rise within the ranks of “ones to essays examines the use of colour from watch” has been proverbially meteoric. He medieval painting through the Renaissance to

Page 7 the modernists. Jarman also touches upon by Lubchenko’s soaring music – keeps the the meaning of colour in literature, science, dancers literally on their toes. philosophy, psychology, religion and alchemy, Crystal Pite is known as one of the most as well as its implications to the passage of innovative and exciting choreographers at his own life and death from HIV/AIDS where work in Canada today. Raised in Victoria, Pite treatment rendered him blind. Jarman’s danced with Ballet British Columbia for eight meditations on colour have proved auspicious years. During this time, she was encouraged for Quanz and form the basis for not only the to develop her choreographic skills and in organizational structure of the piece but for 1995, she became the youngest artist to Michael Gianfrancesco’s evocative costumes receive the prestigious Clifford E. Lee and sets as well. Choreographic Award. In 1996, Pite joined Equally, Quanz derives inspiration from Ballett Frankfurt under the direction of William Lubchenko’s cinematic score. A graduate of Forsythe. She returned to Canada in 2001, the prestigious Rimsky-Korsakov State and was appointed Resident Choreographer Conservatory in Saint Petersburg, Russia for Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal (BJM where he studied under a student of Dmitri DANSE). That same year, Pite formed her Shostakovich’s and was honoured with the own company, Kidd Pivot, based in highest marks in composition since Sergei for which she continues to create Rachmaninov, Lubchenko was introduced to and perform nationally and internationally. Pite Quanz while the choreographer was working has created works for Ballett Frankfurt, in St. Petersburg. Lubchenko has created an 1, Cullberg Ballet, extraordinary, at times almost violent score, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Ballet which would easily lend itself to Russian British Columbia, Alberta Ballet, and Louise cinematographer Sergei Eisenstein’s classic Lecavalier. She was recently named film Battleship Potemkin. Associate Choreographer of Nederlands Known for his intelligent arrangements of Dans Theater. In 2008, Pite was awarded the the Corps de Ballet, Quanz has created a inaugural Governor General’s Mentorship piece for 27 dancers divided into eight colour Award, and mentored by legendary ballerina, sections – WHITE, RED, YELLOW, PINK AND filmmaker and 2004 award laureate Veronica PURPLE, CHARTREUSE, BLUE, GREEN and Tennant. a chorus of GREY. The opening of the work In contemplating this commission, Pite has a somnambulant quality as dancers was drawn to consider parallels between the mime reading books, allowing the movement social organization of bees and the to wash over them. In RED, the solo hierarchical nature of classical ballet choreographed for a female dancer is companies. Upon further investigation, Pite technically demanding, full of staccato discovered that, while there are grounds for accents and virtuosic turns. A men’s section comparison such as the aspect of moves in marshalled, syncopated waves like competition that pervades the lives of bees soldiers advancing towards enemy lines. and ballet dancers, bee colonies function Partnering is often acrobatic with spectacular ostensibly according to egalitarian principles lifts requiring multiple male dancers to that aspire to common goals and to the execute. The choreography – always driven maintenance of the status quo. Her interest

Page 8 national.ballet.ca effect. Sometimes fragmented and gestural, with traces of the popping techniques of hip hop, Pite’s choreographic method is a catalyst for change in the dancer’s bodies. Key to Pite’s vision is her established collaboration with composer Owen Belton. Also from the west coast, Belton uses both acoustic and electronic instruments, often in combination with computer processing techniques such as granular synthesis, to arrive at atmospheric palettes of sound and tone. The set design by Jay Gower Taylor envelops the stage with an image of urgent accumulation and provides an evocative entry point for the work. Alan Brodie’s masterful lighting and Linda Chow’s slick, elegant Crystal Pite Choreographer, Emergence costumes are otherworldly and distinct. Photo by Joris-Jan Bos. Sabrina Matthews’ DEXTRIS rounds out piqued, Pite followed this line of investigation this rich triumvirate of important works. A through to the methods with which bees Toronto native and a graduate of Canada’s communicate and achieve consensus. National Ballet School, Matthews was a Further research revealed that natural Soloist with Alberta Ballet under Artistic mechanisms that sought order and structure Directors Mikko Nissinen and Jean Grand- were at play and these notions were Maître. An aspiring choreographer since her reinforced by her reading of American popular days with Alberta Ballet, Matthews has since science theorist ’s book created pieces for some of the most Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, prestigious ballet companies in the world, Brains, Cities and Software. including multiple works for the renowned Working from structured improvisations, . Matthews has premiered Pite elicited organic movements from the works on three continents in over a dozen dancers. Johnson’s statement that “agents cities from Beijing, to New York, to London. following simple rules could generate She was the 2005 recipient of the Clifford E. amazingly complex structures” became a Lee Award for Choreography from The Banff touchstone for Pite’s Emergence. She is Centre for the Arts. Over the past year, interested in individual expression and in Matthews has received commissions from collective problem solving through movement, Stuttgart Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, Boston often favouring the visual and kinaesthetic Ballet and the UK’s Royal Academy of appeal of the eccentric over the mundane Dance’s 2008 Genée International Ballet and the grotesque over the beautiful. Pite Competition. rarely works with dancers en pointe and was Her third short work for The National Ballet attracted not only to the dancers’ expertise of Canada, DEXTRIS is a masterful ode to the but also to the potential for a creature-like magnificent sacred music of composer

Page 9 show off their dexterity in torrid entanglements of limbs and swivelling torsos. The soft-spoken Matthews radiates with energy and moves like a modern dancer, demanding complex sequences that engage the whole body – challenging the dancers to throw themselves off balance momentarily before reclaiming vertical. Adding to the grandeur of Matthew’s choreography, the score is performed live by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir with 48 choir members and soloists. The choir is arrayed across the stage with the dancers on steel scaffolding especially designed for the piece. Costumes by Caroline O’Brien, a long-time collaborator with the National Ballet, and Sabrina Matthews Choreographer, DEXTRIS lighting design by Christopher Dennis, Photo by Clay Stang. Resident Lighting Designer with the company, Antonio Vivaldi. Matthews has chosen to complete this visually and aurally stunning match her choreographic moxy with Vivaldi’s work. grand Baroque oratorio Dixit Dominus, a Together and separately, these three works large-scale work for five soloists, choir and create a sense of agency and vision that few orchestra divided into nine parts. The score mixed programmes – especially those itself has an interesting provenance having composed of world premieres by young been mistakenly attributed to Vivaldi’s choreographers – can boast. The National younger contemporary Baldassarre Galuppi. Ballet of Canada’s Innovation programme The manuscript was rediscovered in 2005 at gives tremendous reason to hope for even the Sächsische Landesbibliothek in Dresden, greater works from these three immensely where it had gone unnoticed for more than talented Canadian artists in years to come. 200 years. Matthews has chosen the second – Bridget Cauthery of Vivaldi’s three known versions of the psalm and has worked diligently to come to terms Bridget Cauthery is a writer and arts with the piece’s sheer magnitude. Her consultant based in Toronto. She completed choreography makes effective use of cannon her doctorate in dance studies at the sequences and the layering of voices, to find University of Surrey, in 2007 beautiful, sweeping arcs and buoyant and lectures part-time in the Department of partnering. Movements meticulously answer Dance at York University and in the Theatre the score – matching men’s sections with Department at Ryerson University. She is robust baritone harmonies, duets and trios currently conducting research towards a book with more vulnerable solo voices. By turns, project provisionally titled “Choreographing playful, celebratory and mournful, the dancers the North.”

Page 10 national.ballet.ca Selected Biographies

Karen Kain, company. Ms. Kain has affiliate of New York City C.C., LL.D., D.Litt., O.Ont., received numerous Ballet. Mr. Quanz also Artistic Director accolades and awards created experimental Acknowledged as one of the throughout her career. She work for the young leading classical ballerinas of is a Companion of the Order choreographers’ evenings her time, Karen Kain is also of Canada, the first Canadian of Stuttgart Ballet and one of Canada’s foremost recipient of the Cartier Canada’s Royal Winnipeg arts advocates, bringing Lifetime Achievement Award Ballet. In 2006, Mr. Quanz the same passion and and was named an Officer was invited to create a new dedication she exemplified of the Order of Arts and work for the Fire Island as a dancer to her roles as a Letters by the government Dance Festival using artists spokesperson for Canadian of France. In 2002, she was from the Martha Graham culture and as the Artistic honoured with a Governor Dance Company. Mr. Quanz Director of The National General’s Award for Lifetime has received the 2005 Ballet of Canada. A native of Artistic Achievement and Clifford E. Lee Choreography Hamilton, Ontario, Ms. Kain from 2004 to 2008 was Chair Award, Canada’s national studied at Canada’s National of the Canada Council for the award for young Ballet School, graduating in Arts. In 2007, she received choreographers, as well as 1969 when she joined The the Barbara Hamilton grants from the Canada National Ballet of Canada. Memorial Award for Council for the Arts, the After quickly rising to the demonstrating excellence Chalmers Foundation and rank of Principal Dancer, she and professionalism in the the Judy and Henny Jurriens came to the attention of performing arts. Choreographic Fellowship. international audiences when she won the Silver Medal at Peter Quanz Anton Lubchenko the Moscow International Choreographer, Composer, IN COLOUR Ballet Competition in IN COLOUR Anton Lubchenko, a 1973. This led to a highly Peter Quanz has composer, conductor and successful career on stages choreographed for the Kirov pianist, is a graduate of the throughout the world. Ms. Ballet, American Ballet prestigious Rimsky-Korsakov Kain retired from dance in Theatre, The Royal Ballet, State Conservatory in Saint 1997 and shortly afterwards American Ballet Theatre Petersburg, Russia where he assumed the position of Studio Company, The Banff was honoured with the Artist-in-Residence with the Centre for the Arts, Les highest marks in composition National Ballet. In 1999, her Grands Ballet Canadiens de since Sergei Rachmaninov. role was expanded to that of Montréal and Pennsylvania He studied composition Artistic Associate and in June Ballet. He has been invited with Professor Alexander of 2005, she was appointed twice to attend the New York Mnatskanyan. Mr. Artistic Director of the Choreographic Institute, an Lubchenko’s repertoire

Page 11 encompasses compositions Richard Monette. Recent the company’s productions, for opera and ballet, productions include the including James Kudelka’s symphonies, concerti, Canadian premiere of Cinderella, Matjash chamber ensemble scores, Kaleidoscope for Les Grands Mrozewski’s A Delicate solo piano works and film Ballets Canadiens de Battle and Jean-Pierre scores. Orchestras and Montréal, The Wizard of Oz Perreault’s The Comforts of ensembles throughout at the Lorraine Kimsa Solitude. Mr. Dennis’ lighting Russia have been quick to Theatre for Young People designs are in the repertoires program his repertoire and and The Canadian Stage of ballet companies around his works are now being Company’s production of the world, including performed internationally. Little Shop of Horrors. In American Ballet Theatre, In 2006, his opera Mowgli, 2005, Mr. Gianfrancesco , Boston based on Rudyard Kipling’s designed The Midnight Court Ballet and West Australia The Jungle Book, premiered for Queen of Puddings Music Ballet. In 1998, he was at the Vladikavkaz Opera Theatre, which premiered at the Lighting Supervisor House. He has written two Harbourfront Centre and the for the US tour of Mikhail more operas, one based on Linbury Theatre at the Royal Baryshnikov’s White Oak Gogol’s Nevsky Prospekt Opera House in Covent Dance Project. In addition and the other based on tales Garden. He is the recipient to his work in dance, Mr. by E.T.A. Hoffmann. Mr. of a Tyrone Guthrie Award Dennis has designed lighting Lubchenko won the 2002 and the Brian Jackson for many opera, theatre and M. Pletnev Award at the Award from the Stratford film productions and is a International Scriabin Piano Shakespeare Festival and member of the Associated Competition in Moscow received the 2008 Virginia Designers of Canada. and First Prize at the 2000 and Myrtle Cooper Award in Gavrilin Piano Competition Costume Design from the Crystal Pite in Saint Petersburg. Ontario Arts Foundation. Choreographer, Emergence Michael Gianfrancesco Christopher Dennis Vancouver-based Set and Costume Lighting Designer, choreographer and Designer, IN COLOUR IN COLOUR and DEXTRIS performer Crystal Pite has Michael Gianfrancesco’s Internationally-acclaimed created works for Cullberg designs have appeared in the field of ballet for his Ballet, Nederlands Dans across Canada. For the striking, inventive and Theater 1, Ballett Frankfurt, Stratford Shakespeare emotionally enriching artistry, Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal Festival, he has designed Christopher Dennis is the (Resident Choreographer productions at the Studio, Resident Lighting Designer 2001-04), Cedar Lake Avon and Festival Theatres with The National Ballet of Contemporary Ballet, Ballet for over seven seasons and Canada. He has created British Columbia, Alberta collaborated on many shows memorable and evocative Ballet, Ballet Jörgen and with past Artistic Director lighting designs for many of several independent dance

Page 12 national.ballet.ca artists, most recently Louise with computer processing Bennathan’s MANGA and the Lecavalier. Ms. Pite is a techniques such as granular play version of Finch, Crystal former company member of synthesis. He has written Pite’s Frontier for Nederlands Ballet British Columbia and music for many dance Dans Theater, Fault for Kidd Ballett Frankfurt. In 2001, companies, including BJM Pivot, and Electric Company she formed her own DANSE in Montréal, Ballett Theatre’s live-cinematic company, Kidd Pivot, and Frankfurt, Houston Ballet, interpretation of Jean-Paul continues to create and Stuttgart Ballet and Kidd Sartre’s NO EXIT. perform in her own work. Pivot. In addition to Kidd Pivot tours nationally collaborating with Crystal Pite Linda Chow and internationally with for the past 11 years he has Costume Designer, productions that include also scored music for other Emergence Fault (2008), Lost Action Canadian choreographers Linda Chow graduated (2006), Uncollected Work such as Matjash Mrozewski, from Ryerson’s theatre (2002) and Double Story Lola MacLaughlan and Chick programme in 1982. After (2004), created with Snipper. As well as writing settling in Vancouver she Richard Siegal. In 2006, music for dance and film, Mr. worked as a freelance Kidd Pivot received the Alcan Belton works as a recording cutter and sewer in theatre, Performing Arts Award. engineer for other musicians dance and film. Her first Crystal Pite is an Associate and composers. collaboration with Crystal Pite Dance Artist of Canada’s was in 2003 for Uncollected National Arts Centre and Jay Gower Taylor Work. She has continued her Associate Choreographer Set Designer, Emergence work for Ms. Pite, designing of Nederlands Dans Theater. Jay Gower Taylor started out costumes for Lost Action, She was the recipient of the in theatre as a professional Arietta, Decembering and 2008 Governor General’s dancer where he enjoyed an Fault. She has also worked Mentorship Award. international career spanning with choreographers Emily more than 20 years. Parallel Molnar, Sabrina Matthews Owen Belton to his dance career, Mr. and Serge Bennathan. Composer, Emergence Taylor developed his skills Owen Belton graduated as a designer and builder. Alan Brodie from Simon Fraser University Some of his first opportunities Lighting Designer, in Vancouver with a degree designing for theatre were Emergence in Fine and Performing Arts with Dancemakers, A resident of Vancouver, with a concentration in collaborating with Serge Alan Brodie has 20 years of music, studying acoustic Bennathan on Absences, experience creating lighting and computer music The Invisible Life of Joseph designs for theatre, opera, composition. In his work, Finch and the film Quand les musicals and dance. His he uses both acoustic and grandmeres s’envolent for dance credits include electronic instruments, CBC’s Opening Night. More productions with Kidd Pivot, often in combination recently, he designed Mr. movEnt and The Banff

Page 13 Centre for the Arts. Toronto York, to London. Ms. concertos named The Four productions include Miss Matthews is a Toronto native Seasons, became some Julie: Freedom Summer, and a graduate of Canada’s of his most enduring Frost/Nixon, Little Shop of National Ballet School. From compositions. Dixit Dominus Horrors, Glorious, Vigil and 1995 to 2005, she was a RV 594 is one of three The Overcoat for The leading Soloist and aspiring settings that Vivaldi made Canadian Stage Company, choreographer with Alberta utilizing the Latin text of A Christmas Carol for Ballet under Artistic Directors Psalm 109 and may be his Soulpepper, The Turn of Mikko Nissinen and Jean grandest-scaled sacred the Screw for the Canadian Grand-Maître. She has choral work. Born in 1678 in Opera Company and Blue performed on four different Venice, Vivaldi studied violin Planet for Lorraine Kimsa continents, including several under the tutelage of his Theatre for Young People. tours throughout China. Her father and was ordained as Recent Shaw Festival credits choreography and dance a priest in 1703. Later that include After the Dance, films have been recognized year, he was appointed A Little Night Music and with several prominent maestro di violino at the Hotel Pecadillo. Stratford national and international Ospedale della Pietà, a Shakespeare Festival credits awards. Over the past year, Venetian girls’ orphanage; include Moby Dick, Palmer Sabrina Matthews has he maintained a position Park and Oklahoma. A received commissions from with the orphanage until graduate of theatre at the Stuttgart Ballet, Royal 1709 and then returned to University of British Columbia, Swedish Ballet, Boston continue his work there from Mr. Brodie teaches lighting Ballet, England’s Royal 1709 to 1716. Girls received design at the National Theatre Academy of Dance’s 2008 a musical education at such School. He is a member of Genée International Ballet orphanages, while boys the Associated Designers of Competition and The learned a trade, and it was Canada. National Ballet of Canada. during this period that much of his instrumental and Sabrina Matthews Antonio Vivaldi sacred choral music was Choreographer, DEXTRIS Composer, DEXTRIS written, performed by his Sabrina Matthews has One of the most prolific students. Vivaldi died in created pieces for some of of the Italian Baroque Vienna in 1741. the most prestigious ballet composers, Antonio Vivaldi’s companies in the world, catalogue of works includes Caroline O’Brien including multiple pieces trio sonatas, operas, Costume Designer, for the renowned Stuttgart sacred choral music and DEXTRIS Ballet. This in-demand a multitude of concerti for A native of Ireland, Caroline choreographer has solo instruments and strings O’Brien nurtured a passion premiered works on three that defined a new standard for textiles from an early continents, in over a dozen for the form; some of these, age. Her designs for dance cities from Beijing, to New such as a quartet of violin include collaborations with

Page 14 national.ballet.ca numerous national and Opera, New York City Ms. Kasahara’s notable international choreographers Opera, San Francisco Opera, engagements include including John Alleyne, Serge Canadian Opera Company, Zerbinetta in Toronto Bennathan, Dominique Teatro Municipal in Rio de Summer Music Festival’s Dumais, James Kudelka, Janeiro, L’Opera de Monte Adriadne auf Naxos and John Neumeier and Yvonne Carlo, The Royal Opera in Maturina in the COC Ng. She has also worked on Covent Garden and Vlaamse Ensemble Studio production several productions with Opera in Belgium. In addition of Gazzaniga’s Don Giovanni. Matjash Mrozewski and has to operatic work, Ms. Brett Ms. Kasahara has won collaborated with Peggy performs in concert halls all multiple awards from such Baker for more than 20 over North America, in a wide organizations as the years. In addition to creating repertoire that ranges from Vancouver Women’s Musical designs for the stage, Ms. works of the Renaissance to Society and the Metropolitan O’Brien is an award-winning contemporary music. She Opera National Council. With sculptor. She is also has performed with every the COC this season, Ms. frequently sought after for major Canadian orchestra Kasahara sang the roles the original creations in evening and with many in the US French Actress 1 in War and attire. Ms. O’Brien is an including Chicago, Detroit, Peace, First Woodsprite in Assistant Professor in the Philadelphia and Cincinnati. Rusalka, and Despina in the Theatre School at Ryerson Recent engagements include Ensemble Studio production University and a member an all-Gershwin programme of Così fan tutte. She also of the Associated Designers with the Boston Pops, a understudied the roles of of Canada. She is currently National Arts Centre CBC Dunyasha in War and Peace, conducting a research broadcast of Handel’s Zerlina in Don Giovanni and project about the classical Messiah with Trevor Pinnock Marzelline in Fidelio and will ballerina titled Between and her critically acclaimed understudy the roles of the Seams: The Making portrayal of Birdie Hubbard Musetta in La Bohème and of a Princess. This world in Pacific Opera’s production Tytania in A Midsummer premiere for The National of Mark Blitztein’s Regina. Night’s Dream. Ballet of Canada is her third collaboration with Sabrina Teiya Kasahara Marion Newman Matthews. Soporano, DEXTRIS Contralto, DEXTRIS Canadian coloratura soprano First Nations mezzo-soprano Kathleen Brett Teiya Kasahara is a member Marion Newman “has a Soprano, DEXTRIS of the Canadian Opera distinctive, dusky voice that A regular guest with many of Company Ensemble Studio suggests drama with every the leading opera companies programme. She is a recent note”, says The Toronto Star in the United States, Canada graduate from the University and is described as “a show and Europe, Kathleen Brett of British Columbia with stealer” by BBC Music has appeared with Los a Bachelor of Music in Magazine. In recent years, Angeles Opera, Dallas opera performance. she has performed the title

Page 15 role in Carmen and Rosina Canadian Opera Company’s Upcoming performances in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Ensemble Studio, the Britten- include Père Laurence in Cork’s Opera in Ireland in Pears School in Aldeburgh, the Pasadena Symphony’s and Margret in Wozzeck and England and The Banff production of Berlioz’s Juno in with Centre for the Arts. Recently, Roméo et Juliette, Pietro in Pacific Opera Victoria. She Mr. Colvin appeared Simon Boccanegra with the has also performed with Minnesota Opera as COC and Raimondo in Lucia Cherubino in Le Nozze di Belmonte in Abduction from de Lammermoor with l’Opéra Figaro and Cinderella for the Seraglio and will return de Montréal. His recording Opera Lyra Ottawa. On the to the English National Opera credits include Ravel’s concert stage, Ms. Newman as Bob Boles in Peter L’Enfant et les Sortilèges has performed with the Grimes. He sang Haydn’s with the Prague Symphony Victoria Symphony, Creation with the Rochester Orchestra for Le Théâtre Vancouver Symphony, Philharmonic, Messiah with Sans Fil, Harry Somers’ Portland Baroque Orchestra, the Winnipeg Symphony, a Serinette, Chura Churam Kingston Symphony, recital with the Aldeburgh and The Death of Enkidu Symphony Nova Scotia, Connection in Toronto and for Centrediscs, the world Elora Festival Singers, Beethoven’s Symphony premiere of David DiChiera’s Talisker Players, Toronto No. 9 with the Kingston Cyrano for Michigan Opera Philharmonia and the Symphony and the Calgary Theatre and the soundtrack Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Philharmonic. of Rhombus Media’s film Her past recordings include Don Giovanni Unmasked three discs with the Aradia Alain Coulombe under CBC Records. Ensemble for Naxos. She will Bass, DEXTRIS soon release a new recording Acclaimed for his musical Toronto Mendelssohn with the group. and dramatic versatility and Choir unique basso profundo Chorus, DEXTRIS Michael Colvin voice, French Canadian The Toronto Mendelssohn Tenor, DEXTRIS bass Alain Coulombe has Choir (TMC) is Canada’s Hailed in Opera News as been praised by critics outstanding large vocal having “one of the most and audiences alike. Mr. ensemble. Founded in 1894, beautiful young lyric tenor Coulombe has recently the choir has maintained instruments around”, performed with the Canadian an unbroken tradition of live internationally acclaimed Opera Company as Count performance, flourishing Irish-Canadian tenor Michael Rostov and Tichon in War under the baton of seven Colvin has performed on and Peace and as Il choral and symphonic opera and concert stages Commendatore in Don conductors during its 115- around the world. A graduate Giovanni. In addition, he year history. Noel Edison has of the University of Toronto performed Zuniga in been Artistic Director since Opera Division, Mr. Colvin Vancouver Opera’s 1997. Over the years, the has also trained with the production of Carmen. choir has performed in a wide

Page 16 national.ballet.ca range of venues, including and the depth of his musical has conducted symphony Carnegie Hall, Washington’s interpretations, David Briskin orchestras and opera Kennedy Center, London’s joined The National Ballet of productions throughout Royal Albert Hall, Salzburg’s Canada as Music Director Europe, Asia and North Mozarteum and Vienna’s and Principal Conductor in America and served for six Wiener Musikverein. At home, 2006. Prior to his years as the Music Director the TMC presents its own appointment with The of the Masterwork Chorus multi-concert subscription National Ballet of Canada, and Orchestra, conducting series and appears regularly Mr. Briskin served as annual performances of with the Toronto Symphony Conductor with American Handels’s Messiah at Orchestra. The choir’s Ballet Theatre for seven Carnegie Hall. In July 2008, repertoire ranges from years, leading performances he was appointed Director Renaissance masterpieces, at the Metropolitan Opera of Orchestral Studies at the large-scale classical House, New York’s City University of Toronto Faculty and romantic works, to Center and in major opera of Music and Conductor of world premieres of new houses throughout the world. the University of Toronto compositions commissioned Since 2006, Mr. Briskin Symphony Orchestra. for and by the choir. An has been a regular guest important aspect of the conductor with New York Judith Yan TMC’s artistic output has City Ballet. He recently Assistant Conductor been the catalogue of appeared with San Francisco A native of Toronto, Judith recordings produced since Ballet for their New Works Yan joined The National 1926. Most recent recordings Festival, celebrating the Ballet of Canada as Assistant include A Festival of Carols company’s 75th anniversary Conductor in 2007. As in 2006 and the Berlioz and will join the company Staff Conductor of the San Requiem in 1998. Drawing again this season. In Francisco Opera, Ms. Yan from a large pool of amateur addition, Mr. Briskin will be served as assistant to singers in Toronto and joining Houston Ballet to Donald Runnicles and as southwestern Ontario, the conduct Stanton Welch’s Cover/Rehearsal Conductor TMC is composed primarily new full-length ballet Marie in on 12 productions. For the of volunteers who audition New Orleans. Mr. Briskin has company, she conducted each year. The choir includes also conducted for The three productions, one of the 70-voice Mendelssohn Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and which was included in the Singers and the 20-voice Les Grands Ballets San Francisco Chronicle’s Elora Festival Singers. Canadiens de Montréal, Top Ten Performances of among others. For 12 years 2005. Prior to her position David Briskin he served as Conductor of at the SFO, Ms. Yan was Music Director and The Juilliard School’s Dance Conductor-in-Residence Principal Conductor Division. Equally at home on at the Canadian Opera A conductor renowned for the concert stage and in the Company. Appointed by the versatility of his repertoire opera house, Mr. Briskin the late Richard Bradshaw,

Page 17 she worked on numerous Studio Lab Theatre. He The National Ballet of productions, recordings and worked at Expo ’67 in Canada Orchestra concerts. Ms. Yan made her Montréal, stage managing The National Ballet of German conducting debut over 4,000 puppet shows. Canada is privileged to have with Mozart’s Idomeneo Mr. Abugov also toured with its own full orchestra with in 2005, and her Italian Harry Belafonte. In what little over 60 members. The conducting debut with spare time that he has, Mr. orchestra has performed in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro Abugov guest-lectures to each of the National Ballet’s in 2007. She recently theatre students. 57 seasons and is led by returned to Italy to conduct Music Director and Principal La Bohème. Jeff Morris Conductor David Briskin. Stage Manager The company’s first Music Ernest Abugov Jeff Morris studied technical Director was George Crum Stage Manager theatre production and who, along with Founder Ernest (Ernie) Abugov has administration at Ryerson Celia Franca, was a pioneer served as Stage Manager Theatre School. He has of the company. Mr. Crum of The National Ballet of worked as Production Stage held the position from the Canada since 1973, working Manager for Toronto Dance company’s inception in 1951 with every Artistic Director in Theatre and with the Fringe to 1984, when he was the company’s history from Festival of Independent appointed Music Director Celia Franca to Karen Kain. Dance Artists, in addition Emeritus. The orchestra was He has traveled with the to a broad range of Toronto’s led by Ermanno Florio from company all over the world independent dance artists. In 1985 to 1990 and Ormsby touring to Israel, Asia, 1995, Mr. Morris joined The Wilkins from 1990 to 2006. Europe, Mexico and National Ballet of Canada The National Ballet Orchestra throughout North America. and has since stage- has toured extensively with Mr. Abugov has worked with managed a wide range of the company through many of the world’s most the company’s classical and Canada, the United States renowned choreographers contemporary repertoire, and Europe. Over the years, who have created original including world premieres of the orchestra has received works for the National Ballet James Kudelka’s The Four much acclaim from including John Neumeier, Seasons, Cinderella and An audiences and critics alike William Forsythe and Glen Italian Straw Hat. He is also and has recorded two CDs Tetley. Mr. Abugov was an adjunct faculty member at of Michael Torke’s born in Montréal, Québec. the School of Toronto Dance compositions for The Before beginning his long Theatre, where he teaches Contract (The Pied Piper) association with the National Production Elements for and An Italian Straw Hat. Ballet, he worked with Dancers. Les Feux Follets, The Charlottetown Festival, La For more information, Poudriere Theatre and The visit national.ballet.ca

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