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Ballet Notes

Kenneth MacMillan’s November 8 – 16, 2014

Sonia Rodriguez and Guillaume Côté in rehearsal. Photo by Aaron Vincent Elkaim. Orchestra Violin 1 Clarinets Aaron Schwebel, Guest Max Christie, Principal Concertmaster Colleen Cook+ Lynn Kuo, Assistant Gary Kidd*, Bass Clarinet Concertmaster Emily Marlow* James Aylesworth Bassoons Jennie Baccante Stephen Mosher, Principal Sheldon Grabke Jerry Robinson Nancy Kershaw Elizabeth Gowen, Sonia Klimasko-Leheniuk Contra-Bassoon Celia Franca, C.C., Founder Yakov Lerner Jayne Maddison Horns George Crum, Music Director Emeritus Aya Miyagawa Gary Pattison, Principal Karen Kain, C.C. Barry Hughson Wendy Rogers Vincent Barbee* Artistic Director Executive Director Paul Zevenhuizen Derek Conrod Diane Doig+ Violin 2 David Briskin Rex Harrington, O.C. Christine Passmore+ Dominique Laplante, Music Director and Artist-in-Residence Scott Wevers Principal Conductor Principal Second Violin Csaba Koczó, Assistant Trumpets Magdalena Popa Lindsay Fischer Principal Richard Sandals, Principal Principal Artistic Coach Artistic Director, Anne Armstrong+ Mark Dharmaratnam YOU dance / Master Xiao Grabke Robert Weymouth Hiroko Kagawa+ Peter Ottmann Mandy-Jayne Trombones Senior Richardson Jamie Kruspe+ David Archer, Principal Senior Ballet Mistress Ron Mah Robert Ferguson Filip Tomov Guillaume Côté, Greta Hodgkinson, , + Dave Pell, Bass Trombone McGee Maddox, Evan McKie, Heather Ogden*, Sonia Vizante Sonia Rodriguez, Piotr Stanczyk, Jillian Vanstone, Joanna Zabrowarna Tuba Sasha Johnson, Principal Xiao Nan Yu Violas Lorna Geddes, Alejandra Perez-Gomez, Angela Rudden, Principal Harp Rebekah Rimsay, Tomas Schramek, Josh Greenlaw* Assistant Lucie Parent, Principal Hazaros Surmeyan Principal Lori Gemmell+ + Naoya Ebe, Keiichi Hirano, Tanya Howard, Carolyn Blackwell Tympani Stephanie Hutchison, Etienne Lavigne, Patrick Lavoie, Valerie Kuinka Michael Perry, Principal Elena Lobsanova, Tina Pereira, Jonathan Renna, Johann Lotter Robert Stephen Nicholaos Papadakis+ Percussion Skylar Campbell, Jordana Daumec, Beverley Spotton Tim Francom, Principal Alexandra MacDonald, Chelsy Meiss, Larry Toman* Kristofer Maddigan Tiffany Mosher, Jenna Savella, Brendan Saye, Mark Mazur Christopher Stalzer, Dylan Tedaldi Cellos Maurizio Baccante*, Orchestra Personnel Jack Bertinshaw, Trygve Cumpston, Shaila D’Onofrio, Principal Manager and Music Jackson Dwyer, Rhiannon Fairless, Hannah Fischer, Francesco Gabriele Frola, Giorgio Galli, Selene Guerrero-Trujillo, Olga Laktionova Administrator Emma Hawes, Juri Hiraoka, Kathryn Hosier, Rui Huang, Elaine Thompson Raymond Tizzard Harrison James, Lise-Marie Jourdain*, Larissa Khotchenkova, Marianne Pack Librarian Miyoko Koyasu, James Leja, Elizabeth Marrable, Shino Mori, Andrew McIntosh Lucie Parent Jaclyn Oakley, Andreea Olteanu, Félix Paquet, Brent Parolin, Jill Vitols+ Meghan Pugh, Asiel Rivero, Ben Rudisin, Kota Sato, Nan Wang, Ethan Watts, Sarah Elena Wolff Paul Widner RBC Apprentice Programme / YOU dance: Basses * On Leave of Absence Nicole Blain, Patrick Foster, Giorgio Garrett, Christopher Gerty, Hans. J.F. Preuss, Principal + Additional Musician Spencer Hack, Soo Ah Kang, Elenora Morris, Clare Peterson, Tom Hazlitt+ Calley Skalnik, Andrew Tomlinson Paul Langley Robert Binet Lorna Geddes Robert Speer Guillaume Côté Pointe Shoe Manager / Cary Takagaki* Choeographic Associates Assistant Ballet Mistress Flutes Ernest Abugov Joysanne Sidimus Leslie J. Allt, Principal Jeff Morris Guest Balanchine Shelley Brown, Piccolo Stage Managers Répétiteur Maria Pelletier, Piccolo Oboes Mark Rogers, Principal * Maternity leave Karen Rotenberg Lesley Young, English Horn

Page 2 national.ballet.ca Saturday, November 8 at 7:30 pm Friday, November 14 at 7:30 pm Sunday, November 9 at 2:00 pm Saturday, November 15 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm Wednesday, November 12 at 7:30 pm Sunday, November 16 at 2:00 pm Thursday, November 13 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm

Conductor: David Briskin, Music Director and Principal Conductor

Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon November 8 – 16, 2014

Presented by

Choreography: Kenneth MacMillan Staged by: Patricia Ruanne, Karl Burnett and Music: , arranged and orchestrated by Set and Costume Design: Peter Farmer Lighting Design: Robert Thomson Répétiteurs: Mandy-Jayne Richardson, Magdalena Popa, Lindsay Fischer, Peter Ottmann and Lorna Geddes

World Premiere: , March 7, 1974, , London The National Ballet of Canada Premiere: May 2, 1996

Marcelo Gomes’s appearance is made possible by a generous donation from Ned & Georgina McLennan.

Sonia Rodriguez and Guillaume Côté in Manon. Photo by Christopher Wahl.

Page 3 The Cast

Manon Gentlemen Sonia Rodriguez (Nov 8, 12, 13 eve, 15 eve) Keiichi Hirano or Dylan Tedaldi, Jillian Vanstone (Nov 9, 13 mat, 15 mat) Naoya Ebe or Skylar Campbell, Greta Hodgkinson (Nov 14, 16) Robert Stephen or Christopher Stalzer

Des Grieux Clients Guillaume Côté (Nov 8, 12, 13 eve, 15 eve) James Leja, Harrison James (Nov 9, 13 mat, 15 mat) Jonathan Renna or Asiel Rivero, Marcelo Gomes* (Nov 14, 16) Giorgio Galli or Trygve Cumpston, Nan Wang or Ben Rudisin, Lescaut Brent Parolin or Patrick Lavoie Patrick Lavoie (Nov 8, 12, 13 eve, 15 eve) Jack Bertinshaw (Nov 9, 14, 16) Harlots Francesco Gabriele Frola (Nov 13 mat, Shaila D’Onofrio, Miyoko Koyasu, 15 mat) Selene Guerrero-Trujillo or Calley Skalnik, Andreea Olteanu or Nicole Blain, Monsieur Guillot de Morfontaine Elizabeth Marrable or Clare Peterson, Rex Harrington (Nov 8, 12, 13 eve, 15 eve) Larissa Khotchenkova, Emma Hawes, Peter Ottmann (Nov 9, 13 mat, 14, Jaclyn Oakley or Elenora Morris, 15 mat, 16) Meghan Pugh or Rui Huang, Rhiannon Fairless, Hannah Fischer, Lescaut’s Mistress Kathryn Hosier or Sarah Elena Wolff Xiao Nan Yu (Nov 8, 12, 13 eve, 15 eve) Svetlana Lunkina (Nov 9, 14, 16) Old Gentleman Jordana Daumec (Nov 13 mat, 15 mat) Tomas Schramek

Governor/The Gaoler Beggar Boys, Townswomen, Garrison Jonathan Renna (Nov 8, 9, 12, 13, 15) Soldiers, Actresses, Innkeeper, Ratcatcher, McGee Maddox (Nov 14, 16) Servants, Guards, Footmen Artists of the Ballet Madame Rebekah Rimsay (Nov 8, 12, 13 eve) Stephanie Hutchison (Nov 9, 14, 15 eve) *Guest Artist Alejandra Perez-Gomez (Nov 13 mat, All casting is subject to change. 15 mat, 16)

Beggar Chief Dylan Tedaldi (Nov 8, 12, 13 eve, 16) Running Time Francesco Gabriele Frola (Nov 9, 14, 15 eve) ACT I 45 minutes Naoya Ebe (Nov 13 mat, 15 mat) Intermission 20 minutes ACT II 50 minutes Courtesans Intermission 20 minutes Tanya Howard, Jenna Savella or Selene ACT III 25 minutes Guerrero-Trujillo, Jordana Daumec or Elena The performance will run approximately Lobsanova, Rui Huang or Tiffany Mosher 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Page 4 national.ballet.ca Synopsis Act II Scene I – A party at the Hotel Particulier Act I of Madame Scene I – The courtyard of an inn in Manon arrives at the party given by Monsieur The courtyard at the inn is frequented by Guillot de Morfontaine and is clearly torn actresses, gentlemen and the demi-monde between the wealth of her companion and her from Paris. Among them are Des Grieux love for Des Grieux, who is also there with (a young student), the wealthy Monsieur Lescaut. Des Grieux tries to persuade Manon Guillot de Morfontaine and Lescaut, who is to leave with him but she tells him that the time there to meet with his sister Manon on her is not right and only will be when he takes more way to enter a convent. A coach arrives of Monsieur Guillot de Morfontaine's money bringing Manon and an Old Gentleman who at cards. Des Grieux is caught cheating and is very attracted to her; Lescaut notices this he and Manon rush away. and takes the Old Gentleman into the inn to come to an arrangement with him over Scene II – Des Grieux's lodgings Manon. Manon remains outside and meets Manon and Des Grieux once again declare Des Grieux. They instantly fall in love and their love for one another but Monsieur Guillot decide to escape to Paris with the help of de Morfontaine arrives with the police and the money that she has stolen from the Old Manon is arrested as a prostitute. In the Gentleman. Lescaut and the Old Gentleman ensuing struggle Lescaut is killed. come out of the inn, having made a bargain, and to their dismay see that Manon has Act III – New Orleans disappeared. Monsieur Guillot de Morfontaine Scene I – The port tells Lescaut that he too is interested in Manon The Gaoler of the penal colony awaits the and because of Guillot de Morfontaine’s arrival of the convicts from France. Manon has wealth Lescaut promises to find Manon and been deported to America as a prostitute persuade her to accept him. and Des Grieux has followed her there by pretending to be her husband. The Gaoler Scene II – Des Grieux's lodgings in Paris now turns his interest towards Manon. Des Grieux is writing a letter to his father but Manon interrupts him by declaring her love for Scene II – The Gaoler's room him. Des Grieux goes to post the letter, and The Gaoler has arrested Manon but offers her in his absence Lescaut arrives with Monsieur rewards in the hope that she will desert Des Guillot de Morfontaine. Manon yields to Guillot Grieux and live with him. Des Grieux breaks de Morfontaine's advances, and when Des in and kills the Gaoler. Grieux returns, Lescaut persuades him that there will be great wealth for all of them if he, Scene III – The swamp Des Grieux, will sanction the liaison between Manon and Des Grieux have escaped into the Manon and Guillot de Morfontaine. swamp of Louisiana. All her former ambitions of wealth and splendour have been renounced for her love of Des Grieux. While eluding their pursuers, Manon collapses and dies in Des Grieux's arms.

Page 5 Historical Note

enneth MacMillan’s ballet Manon is from various oratorios, songs, orchestral K based on the novel Manon Lescaut works and other operas by Massenet to written by Abbé Prévost in 1731. It caused produce a lush and romantic ballet score. such a sensation that it was banned in France MacMillan’s Manon was first performed in upon publication. Despite the ban, it was 1974 by The Royal Ballet at widely pirated and became very popular. House in London with as There are two successful operatic versions Manon and Sir Anthony Dowell as Des Grieux. of Prévost’s tale of love, avarice and lust. It has since gone on to be celebrated around The first was created in 1884 by the French the world as one of the greatest of the composer Jules Massenet. The second was 20th century. Giacomo Puccini’s, written in 1893. The National Ballet of Canada was fortunate For his ballet, MacMillan deliberately to have Sir Anthony come to Toronto to coach avoided both Puccini’s and Massenet’s dancers in the lead roles of Manon and Des operas and used a compilation of excerpts Grieux for this production.

Sir Anthony Dowell in rehearsal with Sonia Rodriguez and Guillaume Côté. Photo by Aaron Vincent Elkaim.

Page 6 national.ballet.ca Selected Biographies

Karen Kain, C.C., LL.D, she also developed a close for the Arts. In 2007, she was D. Litt., O.Ont. creative partnership with Rudolf presented with the Barbara Artistic Director Nureyev and often performed Hamilton Memorial Award Long recognized as one of the with him. A favourite of some for demonstrating excellence most gifted classical dancers of the world’s most prominent and professionalism in the of her era, noted for her choreographers, she premiered performing arts. In 2008, the compelling characterizations many new and important Karen Kain School for the and versatility as a performer, works during her time as a Arts officially opened, a tribute Artistic Director Karen Kain dancer. Ms. Kain retired from to Ms. Kain’s ongoing is one of Canada’s most dancing following a farewell contributions to the cultural renowned and committed tour in 1997 and took up the life of her country, and in advocates for the arts. Born position of Artist-in-Residence 2011, Ms. Kain was honoured in Hamilton, Ontario, Ms. Kain with the National Ballet, a role by the International Society for received her training at that was later expanded to the Performing Arts with the Canada’s National Ballet that of Artistic Associate. In Distinguished Artist Award. School in Toronto, joining 2004, she restaged Rudolf The National Ballet of Canada Nureyev’s landmark version Barry Hughson in 1969. She was quickly of The Sleeping Beauty for the Executive Director promoted to company and the following Barry Hughson has served with the company after her year was named Artistic the performing arts field for sensational debut as the Director. Ms. Kain has 22 years as a professional Swan Queen in . In received many Canadian and arts executive. In 2014, he 1971, Ms. Kain was awarded international awards through- joined The National Ballet of the Silver Medal in the Women’s out her career, testifying to Canada as Executive Director. Category at the prestigious her accomplishments both as Mr. Hughson was previously International Ballet Competition an artist and an advocate for Executive Director of Boston in Moscow and, along with the arts. She is a Companion Ballet. Under Mr. Hughson’s her frequent partner at the of the Order of Canada, the leadership, time, Frank Augustyn, received first Canadian recipient of the achieved several key a special prize for Best Pas Cartier Lifetime Achievement milestones, including the de Deux. Subsequently, she Award and was named an retirement of its long term embarked on a remarkable Officer of the Order of Arts debt, completing a multi- international career during and Letters by the Government million dollar renovation of the which she performed many of France. In 1997, Ms. Kain ballet’s headquarters and of ballet’s greatest roles with was honoured with a Governor international tours to Canada, such companies as Paris General’s National Arts Centre Spain, Finland and the UK, Opéra Ballet, Roland Petit’s Award and received a Governor as well as raising more Le Ballet de Marseilles, the General’s Award for Lifetime than $60 million dollars in , London Festival Artistic Achievement in 2002. contributed revenue. As an Ballet and Vienna State Opera From 2004 to 2008, she was arts advocate, consultant and Ballet. Throughout her career Chair of the Canada Council educator, Mr. Hughson has

Page 7 had teaching and speaking ballet, Somnambulism, set Patricia Ruanne engagements in the USA, to a symphonic jazz score Staging Europe and South America. by , was the hit Born in and trained He is the Vice Chair of of the SWTB’s first Sunday at The , Dance/USA, North America’s evening performance on Patricia Ruanne joined The largest service organization February 1, 1953. Thereafter, Royal Ballet Touring Company for professional dance. He Sir Kenneth’s ballets ranged at 17 where she danced is a founding member of from abstract works of pure a varied classical and Dance/USA’s National dance to large-scale company contemporary repertoire Leadership Council for Dance, works, including The Rite of and was rapidly promoted and has served as a mentor Spring, to Principal. Ms. Ruanne to emerging arts executives and Song of the Earth. From transferred to English National through the Institute for 1966 to 1969, he worked as Ballet (then London Festival Leadership Training. Mr. Director of the Deutsche Oper Ballet), where her professional Hughson began his career as Berlin, staging The Sleeping collaboration with Rudolf a dancer with The Washington Beauty and Swan Lake as Nureyev began, dancing (DC) Ballet, where he well as making short ballets, Princess Aurora with him in his performed classical and including the one-act version production of The Sleeping contemporary repertoire at of Anastasia. In 1970, he Beauty, and creating the role the Kennedy Center and on returned to London as of Juliet in his acclaimed tour throughout the world. Director of The Royal Ballet, production of Romeo and succeeding Sir Frederick Juliet, which they performed Kenneth MacMillan Ashton. From 1984 to 1989, in London, Paris, Australia Choreographer Sir Kenneth was the Associate and the US. She joined Sir Kenneth MacMillan was Director of American Ballet Nureyev at the Paris Opéra born in Dunfermline, Scotland Theatre, staging many of the Ballet as Ballet Mistress in 1929. He grew up in Great works in the company’s during his tenure as Artistic Yarmouth where he took his repertoire. He was also the Director and remained there first ballet lessons with Phyllis Artistic Associate of Houston for 10 years after which she Adams and studied at the Ballet and staged Manon returned frequently as a guest Sadler’s Wells (now The Royal for the company’s 1992/93 with the company, particularly Ballet) School on a scholarship season. Sir Kenneth died for the Nureyev repertoire. in 1945. There he worked on October 29, 1992 during She has staged Nureyev’s with and a performance of ballets worldwide. Ms. and became a at the Royal Opera House, Ruanne assisted Sir Kenneth fine classical dancer. In 1946, . Until his MacMillan during his prepara- Sir Kenneth joined the newly sudden death, he continued tion of Manon in Paris in 1990 formed Sadler's Wells Theatre to work for The Royal Ballet and following that production Ballet (SWTB) and in 1948, as the company's Principal he requested she continue was promoted to the Sadler’s Choreographer. In 1996, Sir staging the ballet, which she Wells Ballet at Covent Kenneth was posthumously now does around the world Garden. He returned to the awarded The in collaboration with Karl SWTB in 1952 and began Medal. Burnett. Ms. Ruanne is also choreographing for their new a former Ballet Director at choreographic group. His first Teatro alla Scala in Milan.

Page 8 national.ballet.ca Karl Burnett Colón in . particularly praised include Staging He presently divides his time the leads in Ashton's La Fille Born in London, Karl Burnett as an agent, representing mal gardée, , trained initially with Pamela a group of young European Daphnis and Chloë and Howard and then at The choreographers and continues Symphonic Variations; Royal Ballet School. In 1994, to work as a guest teacher. MacMillan's Song of the Earth after a fulfilling and successful and Romeo and Juliet; dance career, Mr. Burnett went Anthony Dowell La Bayadère; ’ on to become choreographic Staging and assistant to Angelin Preljocaj, Sir Anthony Dowell was born ; and George Ballet Master at the Deutsche in London and studied at the Balanchine's . In 1972, Oper Berlin and Assistant Hampshire School and The he was made a Commander Director of Aterballetto. Since Royal Ballet's Lower and of the Order of the British 2002, he has worked as a Upper Schools. In 1961, he Empire in the Queen’s guest teacher and répétiteur joined The Royal Ballet and, Birthday Honours List, the at , less than two years later, Sir youngest dancer ever to be Ballet Gulbenkian, Nederlands chose him so honoured. In 1995, he was Dans Theater, Teatro alla Scala to create the role of appointed Knight Bachelor and Béjart Ballet Lausanne in . It was in this in the Queen’s Birthday among many others. Mr. ballet that he first danced with Honours List and presented Burnett has staged various Antoinette Sibley, who created with the Royal Academy of works for Preljocaj and Mauro Titania, and the foundation Dancing’s Queen Elizabeth II Bigonzetti, as well as some for an outstanding ballet Coronation Award in 1994. of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s partnership was laid. His major Sir Anthony retired as Director masterpieces including Song created roles in Ashton’s of The Royal Ballet in August of the Earth, Manon, Romeo works include Oberon in 2001 after 15 triumphant and Juliet, Elite Syncopations The Dream, Beliaev in years. and Mayerling. With The A Month in the Country, Troyte Royal Ballet in London he in and Marcelo Gomes assisted in revivals of Different Lo Straniero in Varii Capricci. Guest Artist Drummer, Five Brahms For Sir Kenneth MacMillan, he Marcelo Gomes was born in Waltzes in the Manner of created Des Grieux in Manon, Manaus, Brazil and received and in 2010, Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, his dancing training at the staged MacMillan’s last and Kshessinska's partner in Helena Lobato Ballet School perhaps most challenging Anastasia, the Boy in Triad and Dalal Achcar Ballet ballet The Judas Tree. Mr. and Autumn in The Four School in Brazil, The Harid Burnett has also been involved Seasons. He also created Conservatory in Boca Raton, in revivals of Manon, Prince the Boy with Matted Hair in Florida and at the schools of the Pagodas and Mayerling 's Shadowplay, of the Paris Opéra Ballet, at the Royal Opera House in Prospero in ’s , Boston Ballet, London. In 2011, Mr. Burnett The Tempest and the leading and Champaign Urbana choreographed a new role in 's Ballet. Mr. Gomes joined production of The Sleeping Four Schumann Pieces, for in Beauty (after ), which he was the inspiration. 1997 and has been a Principal which premiered at the Teatro Roles in which he was Dancer since 2002.

Page 9 Mr. Gomes’ repertoire with Danish Ballet, American Ballet for Pittsburgh Ballet. He American Ballet Theatre Theatre, Teatro dell’Opera designed Sir Kenneth includes the title role in Apollo, di Roma, the Cologne Opera, MacMillan’s Solor in La Bayadère, Franz , Canada’s for The Royal Ballet and in Coppélia, Conrad, Ali, the , New Manon for The Australian, Slave and Lankendem in London Ballet, Ballet Rambert, Vienna, Houston and Kirov , Oberon and , Northern Ballets. Other designs include Lysander in The Dream, Ballet, , Peter Darrell’s Tales of Albrecht in , Armand Hoffmann for Hong Kong Duval in Lady of the Camellias, and Chicago City Ballet. His Ballet, Sir Frederick Ashton’s Des Grieux and Lescaut work includes designs for for the in Manon, Onegin and Prince The Sleeping Beauty for the , Gremin in Onegin, the title role Bavarian State Opera, Anna Butterfly for The Australian in Othello, Romeo in Romeo Karenina and The Three Ballet and Swan Lake for and Juliet, Prince Désiré Musketeers for The Australian at the in The Sleeping Beauty and Ballet, Giselle for Houston Royal Albert Hall in London. Lucentio in The Taming of Ballet and Theatro Municipal the Shrew, among others. Rio de Janeiro, Swan Lake Robert Thomson In 2008, Mr. Gomes won the for Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Lighting Designer Benois de la Danse for Best Ballet and Hong Kong Ballet, Robert Thomson is one of Male Performer and received The Great Gatsby for Canada’s most prolific and the “Hope” Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, versatile lighting designers. Award in 1998. In 1994, he for Cincinnati He has received numerous was awarded second place Ballet, Les Sylphides for the awards over his 35-year career at the National Society of Arts Theatro Municipal Rio de including a Sterling Award, and Letters and the Winter Janeiro, A Midsummer Night’s four Dora Mavor Moore Festival in Brazil in 1993. Dream for Ballet de Chambre Awards and the prestigious As a Guest Artist, Mr. Gomes de Hirofumi Inoue in Japan Siminovitch Prize in Theatre has performed with The and Theme and Variations for 2012. For The National National Ballet of Canada, and Divertimento No. 15 for Ballet of Canada, Mr. Thomson Kirov Ballet, The Royal Ballet Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet served as Resident Lighting and Bolshoi Ballet and has (now Birmingham Royal Ballet). Designer for 12 seasons. appeared with the Kings He designed Anna Karenina His numerous designs include of the Dance since 2006. for Ballet de Santiago de The Taming of the Shrew, Teatro Municipal de Santiago Romeo and Juliet, Manon, Peter Farmer and for the Norwegian Ballet, Swan Lake, The Miraculous Set and Costume Designer La Traviata for London City Mandarin and Spring Peter Farmer has designed Ballet, Cinderella for Cincinnati Awakening. Over 13 for most of the major ballet Ballet, Giselle for the Star consecutive seasons at the companies in the world, Dancers Ballet Foundation Stratford Festival his designs including The Royal Ballet, in Tokyo, Coppélia for the include Beaux’ Stratagem, London Festival Ballet, National Ballet of Portugal The Merchant of Venice, London Contemporary Dance and also for the Ballet de Cymbeline, Much Ado About Theatre, Houston Ballet, Chambre de Hirofumi Inoue Nothing, Dangerous Liaisons, London City Ballet, The Royal in Japan and The Nutcracker Romeo and Juliet, Caesar

Page 10 national.ballet.ca and Cleopatra and King Lear. life of the music he conducts. Indianapolis and Windsor During his 24 seasons at the Before joining The National Symphony Orchestras, the Shaw Festival (10 as Head of Ballet of Canada in 2006, Mr. Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Lighting Design), Mr. Thomson Briskin served as conductor and the National Symphony is credited on more than with American Ballet Theatre Orchestra of Costa Rica, and 55 productions. Mr. Thomson in New York City for seven with such opera companies designed the Canadian Opera years, directing performances as Calgary Opera, Manitoba Company’s globally acclaimed at the Metropolitan Opera Opera, Opera Carolina, Lake Bluebeard's Castle and House, City Center and George Opera and Sarasota Erwartung, directed by Robert numerous ballet and opera Opera. Lepage, with a remount at the houses around the world. Four Seasons Centre for the In demand as a guest Ernest Abugov Performing Arts. He has conductor, Mr. Briskin has Stage Manager worked with a diverse range worked with such companies Ernest (Ernie) Abugov will of Canadian companies, as , San retire at the end of this coming including the National Arts Francisco Ballet, The Joffrey June, having served as Stage Centre, Canadian Stage, Ballet, Houston Ballet, Les Manager of The National Manitoba Theatre Centre, Grands Ballets and Alberta Ballet of Canada since 1973. Citadel Theatre, Theatre Ballet. He appears regularly He has worked with every Aquarius, Tarragon Theatre, at Covent Garden in London Artistic Director in the the Segal Theatre and Centaur with The Royal Ballet, most company’s history from Celia Theatre. Internationally, his recently conducting the world Franca to Karen Kain and has designs have been featured premiere of Christopher traveled with the company at Lincoln Center, Goodman Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale around the world touring to Theatre, Hartford Stage, (a co-production with The Israel, Asia, Europe, Mexico American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada) and throughout North America. Miami City Ballet, Boston featuring an original score Mr. Abugov has worked with Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet. by Joby Talbot. For three many of the world’s most seasons, Mr. Briskin served renowned choreographers David Briskin as Music Director of Pittsburgh who have created original Music Director and Ballet Theatre and was works for the National Ballet Principal Conductor Conductor for The Juilliard including Alexei Ratmansky, One of the foremost ballet School’s Dance Division from , William conductors at work today, 1993 to 2005. In 2008, Forsythe and Glen Tetley. Mr. David Briskin is renowned Mr. Briskin was appointed Abugov was born in Montréal, for the scope of his repertoire Assistant Professor and Québec. Before beginning and the depth and beauty of Director of Orchestral Studies his long association with the his interpretations. Whether in at the University of Toronto National Ballet, he worked the classical or contemporary Faculty of Music. Mr. Briskin’s with Les Feux Follets, The idiom, from works steeped versatility has also seen him Charlottetown Festival, in tradition to cutting edge conduct symphony and opera La Poudriere Theatre and modern compositions, Mr. productions throughout the The Studio Lab Theatre. Briskin brings a sure hand and Americas, Europe and Asia, He worked at Expo ’67 in a sensitive understanding to with such orchestras as the Montréal, stage managing the dramatic and choreographic Pittsburgh, Detroit, Baltimore, over 4,000 puppet shows.

Page 11 Mr. Abugov also toured with Ballet of Canada in 1995 and Founder Celia Franca, was Harry Belafonte. In what little has since stage-managed a a pioneer of the company. spare time that he has, wide range of the company’s Mr. Crum held the position Mr. Abugov guest-lectures unique classical and from the company’s inception to theatre students. contemporary repertoire, in 1951 to 1984, when he including the world premieres was appointed Music Director Jeff Morris of James Kudelka’s The Four Emeritus. The Orchestra was Stage Manager Seasons, Cinderella, and An led by Ermanno Florio from Born in Toronto, Jeff Morris Italian Straw Hat, Jean-Pierre 1985 to 1990. Ormsby studied technical theatre Perreault’s The Comforts Wilkins was Music Director production and administration of Solitude, Crystal Pite’s and Principal Conductor from at Ryerson’s Theatre School. Emergence, and Alexei 1990 to 2006. The National After leaving Ryerson, he Ratmansky’s Romeo and Ballet of Canada Orchestra became Production Stage Juliet. Company premieres has toured extensively with Manager for Toronto Dance include John Neumeier’s the company through Canada, Theatre (1990 – 1995). With Nijinsky and Christopher the US and Europe. Over Toronto Dance Theatre he Wheeldon’s Alice’s the years, the Orchestra has toured extensively, stage Adventures in Wonderland. received much acclaim from managing the company’s audiences and critics alike debuts in Berlin, Warsaw, The National Ballet of and has recorded two CDs of Beijing, Tokyo, and at the Canada Orchestra Michael Torke’s compositions Joyce Theater, New York. The National Ballet of Canada for The Contract (The Pied He was Production Stage is privileged to have its own Piper) and An Italian Straw Manager for Dancers For Life full Orchestra with over 60 Hat. The Orchestra made their (AIDS Committee of Toronto, members. The Orchestra has concert debut at Koerner 1991 – 1997), Stage Manager performed in each of the Hall on April 3, 2012, in for Theatre Passe-Muraille National Ballet’s seasons and celebration of the company’s (Never Swim Alone, is led by Music Director and 60th anniversary. Metamorphosis of a Shadow) Principal Conductor David and for the Fringe Festival of Briskin. The company’s first For more information, visit Independent Dance Artists. Music Director was George national.ballet.ca Mr. Morris joined The National Crum who, along with

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