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Home , Ballets Russes, Carnaval (ballet), Hamburg Ballet, John Neumeier

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Nijinsky A by November 22 – 30, 2014

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

Page 2 national.ballet.ca Saturday, November 22 at 7:30 pm Friday, November 28 at 7:30 pm Sunday, November 23 at 2:00 pm Saturday, November 29 at 2:00 pm at 7:30 pm Wednesday, November 26 at 7:30 pm Sunday, November 30 at 2:00 pm Thursday, November 27 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm

Conductor: David Briskin, Music Director and Principal Conductor (Nov 22, 23) Ormsby Wilkins, Guest Conductor (Nov 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)

Presents Nijinsky A Ballet by John Neumeier November 22 – 30, 2014

Music: Frédéric Chopin, Prélude in C minor, Op.28 No. 20 , Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op.26, I. Allegro Nikolaj Rimskij-Korsakov, Schéhérazade – Symphony Suite, Op. 35 I. The Sea and Sinbad’s Ship Dmitri Shostakovich*, Sonata for viola and piano, Op. 147, III. Adagio Angela Rudden, Viola Edward Connell, Piano Nikolaj Rimskij-Korsakov, Schéhérazade – Symphony Suite, Op. 35 III. The Young Prince and the Young Princess IV. Festival at Baghdad – The Sea – Shipwreck on the Rocks Dmitri Shostakovich*, Symphony No. 11 in G-minor, The Year 1905, Op. 103 I. The Palace Square II. 9 January III. In memoriam IV. The Tocsin *By arrangement with G. Schirmer inc. publisher and copyright owner.

Choreography, Sets*, Costumes* and Lighting Concept: John Neumeier *based partly on original sketches by: Léon Bakst and Lighting Reconstructed by: Ralf Merkel Répétiteurs: Rex Harrington, Magdalena Popa and Peter Ottmann World Premiere: The Ballet, Hamburg, Germany, July 2, 2000 The National Ballet of Canada Premiere: March 2, 2013 Lead philanthropic support for Nijinsky is provided by The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation, an anonymous friend of the National Ballet, The Volunteer Committee of The National Ballet of Canada and The Producers’ Circle: John & Claudine Bailey, David Binet, Susanne Boyce & Brendan Mullen, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Kevin & Roger Garland, The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation, Rosamond Ivey, Hal Jackman Foundation, Anna McCowan-Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C., Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Judith & Robert Lawrie, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, Joan & Jerry Lozinski, The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lynda & Jonas Prince, Susan Scace & Arthur Scace, C.M., Q.C., Sandra L. Simpson and Noreen Taylor & David Staines, O.C.

Page 3 The Cast

Vaslav Nijinsky Guillaume Côté (Nov 22, 26, 28, 30) Skylar Campbell (Nov 23, 27 eve, 29 mat) Francesco Gabriele Frola* (Nov 27 mat, 29 eve)

Romola Nijinsky, his Wife Xiao Nan Yu* (Nov 22, 26, 28, 30) Sonia Rodriguez (Nov 23, 27 eve, 29 mat) Svetlana Lunkina* (Nov 27 mat, 29 eve)

Bronislava Nijinska, his Sister Jenna Savella (Nov 22, 26, 28, 30) Chelsy Meiss (Nov 23, 27 eve, 29 mat) Jordana Daumec (Nov 27 mat, 29 eve)

Stanislav Nijinsky, his Brother Dylan Tedaldi (Nov 22, 26, 27, 29) Francesco Gabriele Frola (Nov 23, 28, 30)

Serge Diaghilev, Impresario and Mentor Piotr Stanczyk

Eleonora Bereda, Nijinsky’s Mother Svetlana Lunkina* (Nov 22, 26, 28, 30) Xiao Nan Yu (Nov 23, 27, 29)

Thomas Nijinsky, his Father Brent Parolin* (Nov 22, 23, 26, 27 eve, 28, 29 mat, 30) Jonathan Renna (Nov 27 mat, 29 eve)

The Ballerina, Sonia Rodriguez* (Nov 22, 26, 28, 30) Elena Lobsanova (Nov 23, 27 eve, 29 mat) Jillian Vanstone* (Nov 27 mat, 29 eve)

The new Dancer, Leonid Massine Francesco Gabriele Frola (Nov 22, 26, 27 eve, 29 mat) Asiel Rivero (Nov 23, 27 mat, 29 eve) Skylar Campbell* (Nov 28, 30)

The Dancer Nijinsky

as Harlequin in Naoya Ebe (Nov 22, 26, 27, 29) Dylan Tedaldi (Nov 23, 28, 30) later in the ballet Jack Bertinshaw and Christopher Stalzer

as the Spirit of the Rose in Spectre de la Rose Naoya Ebe (Nov 22, 26, 27, 29) Dylan Tedaldi (Nov 23, 28, 30)

as the Golden Slave in Schéhérazade Keiichi Hirano (Nov 22, 26, 27 mat, 28, 29 eve, 30) Patrick Lavoie (Nov 23, 27 eve, 29 mat) later in the ballet Patrick Lavoie or Keiichi Hirano or Harrison James

Page 4 national.ballet.ca as the Young Man in Francesco Gabriele Frola (Nov 22, 26, 27 eve, 29 mat) Asiel Rivero (Nov 23, 27 mat, 29 eve) Skylar Campbell* (Nov 28, 30)

as the Faun in L’Après-midi d’un faune Keiichi Hirano (Nov 22, 26, 27 mat, 28, 29 eve, 30) Patrick Lavoie (Nov 23, 27 eve, 29 mat) later in the ballet Patrick Lavoie or Keiichi Hirano or Harrison James

as Petruschka Jonathan Renna* (Nov 22, 23, 26, 27 eve, 28, 29 mat, 30) Patrick Lavoie* (Nov 27 mat, 29 eve)

Nijinsky’s shadows Naoya Ebe or Dylan Tedaldi, Dylan Tedaldi or Francesco Gabriele Frola

The World Outside Nijinsky

Guests at the Suvretta House performance Stephanie Hutchison or Tanya Howard, Svetlana Lunkina or Xiao Nan Yu, McGee Maddox, Evan McKie or Jonathan Renna or Patrick Lavoie, Andreea Olteanu, Peter Ottmann, Brent Parolin or Jonathan Renna, Alejandra Perez-Gomez, Rebekah Rimsay, Tomas Schramek, Hazaros Surmeyan

Pianist Andrei Streliaev

Fans of the Artists of the Ballet

Les Russes de Serge Diaghilev

Tamara Karsavina Sonia Rodriguez* (Nov 22, 26, 28, 30) as the Sylphide in Elena Lobsanova (Nov 23, 27 eve, 29 mat) as a young Woman in Jeux Jillian Vanstone* (Nov 27 mat, 29 eve) as a Nymph in L’Aprés-midi d’un faune as the Ballerina in Petruschka

Bronislava Nijinska Jenna Savella (Nov 22, 26, 28, 30) as a young Woman in Jeux Chelsy Meiss (Nov 23, 27 eve, 29 mat) as the Chosen Virgin in Le Sacre du printemps Jordana Daumec (Nov 27 mat, 29 eve)

Ballerinas of the Jillian Vanstone or Alexandra MacDonald or Emma Hawes, Elena Lobsanova or Hannah Fischer

Page 5 Partners Nan Wang, Félix Paquet or Brent Parolin

Corps de ballet Artists of the Ballet

Character Dancer Giorgio Galli

Dancers in Schéhérazade Jordana Daumec or Jenna Savella, Selene Guerrero-Trujillo, Kathryn Hosier, Tanya Howard, Stephanie Hutchison, Chelsy Meiss or Rui Haung, Tiffany Mosher, Andreea Olteanu, Alejandra Perez-Gomez or Rebekah Rimsay

Jack Bertinshaw, James Leja, Ben Rudisin, Kota Sato, Christopher Stalzer, Robert Stephen

Wedding Guests Artists of the Ballet

Figures of Nijinsky’s Inner World Artists of the Ballet

The Doctor Brent Parolin* (Nov 22, 23, 26, 27 eve, 28, 29 mat, 30) Jonathan Renna (Nov 27 mat, 29 eve)

The War Artists of the Ballet

*Debuts All casting is subject to change.

Running Time ACT I One hour Intermission 20 minutes ACT II One hour The performance will run approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Page 6 national.ballet.ca Synopsis

n January 19, 1919 at five o’clock in In another scene of the ballet, Nijinsky O the afternoon in a ballroom of the remembers his search for a new choreographic Suvretta House Hotel in St Moritz, Switzerland, language. His experiments with movement danced publicly for the last result in his own original ballets L’Après-midi time. He called this performance his Wedding d’un faune, Jeux, Le Sacre du printemps and with God. later . My ballet Nijinsky begins with a realistic A woman in red, Romola de Pulsky who recreation of this situation. The choreography will later become Nijinsky’s wife, crisscrosses which follows however, visualizes his thoughts, his confused recollections. He relives their first memories and hallucinations during this last encounter on a ship to South America and performance. their abrupt marriage – an event causing the ultimate break with Diaghilev and the Ballets Act I Russes. Prompted by the imagined appearance of his former mentor, impresario and lover, Serge Act II Diaghilev, Nijinsky recalls images of his Nijinsky’s madness drives him more and more sensational career with the . inside himself. Memories of childhood, family, Dancers, as aspects of his personality, perform school, and the Mariinsky Theatre blend with fragments from his most famous roles. nightmare visions of World War I – and his Harlequin, the Poet in Les Sylphides, the wife’s infidelity. The scandalous premiere of Golden Slave in Schéhérazade and the his ballet Le Sacre du printemps appears Spectre de la Rose merge and mingle with juxtaposed with the brutality of World War I characters from his private life. His sister and his brother Stanislav’s death. Romola Bronislava (later a choreographer), his older is with him through difficult and bad times. brother Stanislav (trained also to be a dancer, In Nijinsky’s eyes, it is the world around him – but marked from childhood by signs of not Nijinsky that has gone mad… madness), and his mother, the dancer The Suvretta House performance and the Eleonora Bereda, who along with his father ballet end with Nijinsky’s last dance – the War. Thomas were the children’s first teachers, also appear in his dreamlike fantasy. – John Neumeier

Page 7 Vaslav Nijinsky 1890 – 1950

Known as “Le Dieu de la Danse”, Vaslav Nijinsky was the first male dancer to achieve fame the world over. A ground-breaking dancer and choreographer known for his erotic magnetism and gravity-defying leaps, he both thrilled and shocked audiences. The impact of his too-short career changed the art of ballet forever. Diagnosed with schizophrenia in his prime, he gave his last performance in 1919 at the age of 29 and spent the rest of his life in and out of sanatoriums.

Photo: Vaslav Nijinsky c. 1910.

Nijinsky’s Famous Roles

The Golden Slave in The Faun in L’Après-midi Schéhérazade, 1911 Harlequin in Carnaval, 1915 d-un Faune, 1912

Spectre de la Rose, 1911 Petruschka, 1911

Page 8 national.ballet.ca Selected Biographies

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

Page 9 for professional dance. He Nutcracker and Romeo and Deutscher Jubiläums is a founding member of Juliet. In 1973, he joined The Tanzpreis in 2008. In 2007, Dance/USA’s National as Director he was made an honorary Leadership Council for Dance, and Chief Choreographer citizen of the city of Hamburg. and has served as a mentor and, under his direction, to emerging arts executives The Hamburg Ballet became David Briskin through the Institute for one of the leading ballet Music Director and Leadership Training. Mr. companies on the German Principal Conductor Hughson began his career as dance scene and soon One of the foremost ballet a dancer with The Washington received international conductors at work today, (DC) Ballet, where he recognition. In 1972, he set David Briskin is renowned performed classical and his first work for The National for the scope of his repertoire contemporary repertoire at Ballet of Canada, and the depth and beauty of the Kennedy Center and on with Rudolf Nureyev in the title his interpretations. Whether in tour throughout the world. role and in 1993, he created the classical or contemporary Now and Then for Karen Kain. idiom, from works steeped John Neumeier As a choreographer, Mr. in tradition to cutting edge Choreographer, Set, Neumeier has continually modern compositions, Mr. Costume and Lighting focused on the preservation Briskin brings a sure hand and Designer of ballet tradition, while giving a sensitive understanding to John Neumeier was born his works a modern dramatic the dramatic and choreographic in 1942 in Milwaukee, framework. His ballets range life of the music he conducts. Wisconsin, where he received from new versions of full-length Before joining The National his first dance training. He story ballets to musicals, Ballet of Canada in 2006, Mr. continued his dance studies to his symphonic ballets, Briskin served as conductor in Chicago as well as at especially those based on with in ’s compositions, in New York City for seven Milwaukee where he created to his choreographies to years, directing performances his first choreographic works. sacred music. His latest at the Metropolitan Opera After further ballet study, both creations for The Hamburg House, City Center and in Copenhagen and at The Ballet are Christmas Oratorio numerous ballet and opera in London, I-VI (2013) and Tatjana (2014). houses around the world. invited him in Mr. Neumeier holds the In demand as a guest 1963 to join , Dance Magazine Award conductor, Mr. Briskin has where he progressed to (1983), Order of Merit of the worked with such companies Soloist and continued his Federal Republic of Germany as , San choreographic development. and French Order of Arts Francisco Ballet, The Joffrey In 1969, Ulrich Erfurth and Letters and the Legion Ballet, , Les appointed Mr. Neumeier of Honour. In 2006, he was Grands Ballets and Alberta Director of Ballett Frankfurt, awarded the prestigious Ballet. He appears regularly where he soon caused a Nijinsky Award for Lifetime at Covent Garden in London sensation due to his new Achievement. He received with , most interpretations of such the Herbert von Karajan recently conducting the world well-known ballets as The Musikpreis in 2007 and the premiere of Christopher

Page 10 national.ballet.ca Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale Conductor in 1982. Moving to Ballet of Canada where he (a co-production with The Europe in 1983, he was received much critical acclaim National Ballet of Canada) appointed Conductor with for his conducting of the featuring an original score England’s Sadler’s Wells National Ballet orchestra. by Joby Talbot. For three Royal Ballet (now called the During his tenure at the seasons, Mr. Briskin served ). National Ballet, Mr. Wilkins as Music Director of Pittsburgh With Sadler’s Wells, Mr. traveled with the company Ballet Theatre and was Wilkins toured North and to Israel, Asia and Europe. Conductor for The Juilliard South America, Eastern He has also worked with the School’s Dance Division from Europe, Israel and South East one of the top brass bands in 1993 to 2005. In 2008, Asia. Mr. Wilkins continued North America, the Hannaford Mr. Briskin was appointed his association with The Street Silver Band. Assistant Professor and Australian Ballet, having been Director of Orchestral Studies invited to guest on many Ernest Abugov at the University of Toronto occasions for its extensive Stage Manager Faculty of Music. Mr. Briskin’s engagements. Other Ernest (Ernie) Abugov will versatility has also seen him international engagements retire at the end of this coming conduct symphony and opera have included Teatro alla June, having served as Stage productions throughout the Scala in Milan, the Rome Manager of The National Americas, Europe and Asia, Opera Ballet, the Ballet of Ballet of Canada since 1973. with such orchestras as the Teatro San Carlo of Naples He has worked with every Pittsburgh, Detroit, Baltimore, and . Mr. Artistic Director in the Indianapolis and Windsor Wilkins has conducted many company’s history from Celia Symphony Orchestras, the orchestras around the world, Franca to Karen Kain and has Shanghai Symphony Orchestra both in association with ballet traveled with the company and the National Symphony and in concert. They include around the world touring to Orchestra of Costa Rica, and the Philharmonia and Royal Israel, Asia, Europe, Mexico with such opera companies Philharmonic Orchestras of and throughout North America. as Calgary Opera, Manitoba London, The Royal Opera Mr. Abugov has worked with Opera, Opera Carolina, Lake House Orchestra, Winnipeg many of the world’s most George Opera and Sarasota Symphony Orchestra, Calgary renowned choreographers Opera. Philharmonic Orchestra, who have created original Edmonton Symphony works for the National Ballet Ormsby Wilkins Orchestra, Hong Kong including Alexei Ratmansky, Guest Conductor Philharmonic Orchestra, John Neumeier, William A native of Sydney, Australia, Melbourne Symphony Forsythe and Glen Tetley. Mr. Ormsby Wilkins has been Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Abugov was born in Montréal, Music Director of American Orchestra and National Arts Québec. Before beginning Ballet Theatre since 2005. Centre Orchestra in Ottawa. his long association with the After taking his music studies Prior to his appointment at National Ballet, he worked at the Conservatories of American Ballet Theatre, with Les Feux Follets, The Sydney and Melbourne, Mr. Mr. Wilkins spent 16 years as Charlottetown Festival, Wilkins joined The Australian Music Director and Principal La Poudriere Theatre and Ballet and became Resident Conductor of The National The Studio Lab Theatre.

Page 11 He worked at Expo ’67 in Perreault’s The Comforts for The Contract (The Pied Montréal, stage managing of Solitude, Crystal Pite’s Piper) and An Italian Straw over 4,000 puppet shows. Emergence, and Alexei Hat. The Orchestra made their Mr. Abugov also toured with Ratmansky’s Romeo and concert debut at Koerner Harry Belafonte. In what little Juliet. Company premieres Hall on April 3, 2012, in spare time that he has, include John Neumeier’s celebration of the company’s Mr. Abugov guest-lectures Nijinsky and Christopher 60th anniversary. to theatre students. Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. For more information, visit Jeff Morris national.ballet.ca Stage Manager The National Ballet of Born in Toronto, Jeff Morris Canada Orchestra studied technical theatre The National Ballet of Canada production and administration is privileged to have its own at Ryerson’s Theatre School. full Orchestra with over 60 After leaving Ryerson, he members. The Orchestra has became Production Stage performed in each of the Manager for Toronto Dance National Ballet’s seasons and Theatre (1990 – 1995). With is led by Music Director and Toronto Dance Theatre he Principal Conductor David toured extensively, stage Briskin. The company’s first managing the company’s Music Director was George debuts in , Warsaw, Crum who, along with Beijing, Tokyo, and at the Founder Celia Franca, was Joyce Theater, New York. a pioneer of the company. He was Production Stage Mr. Crum held the position Manager for Dancers For Life from the company’s inception (AIDS Committee of Toronto, in 1951 to 1984, when he 1991 – 1997), Stage Manager was appointed Music Director for Theatre Passe-Muraille Emeritus. The Orchestra was (Never Swim Alone, led by Ermanno Florio from Metamorphosis of a Shadow) 1985 to 1990. Ormsby and for the Fringe Festival of Wilkins was Music Director Independent Dance Artists. and Principal Conductor from Mr. Morris joined The National 1990 to 2006. The National Ballet of Canada in 1995 and Ballet of Canada Orchestra has since stage-managed a has toured extensively with wide range of the company’s the company through Canada, unique classical and the US and Europe. Over contemporary repertoire, the years, the Orchestra has including the world premieres received much acclaim from of James Kudelka’s The Four audiences and critics alike Seasons, , and An and has recorded two CDs of Italian Straw Hat, Jean-Pierre Michael Torke’s compositions

Page 12 national.ballet.ca