20 APRIL 30 - MAY 02, 2021 21 DIGITAL PERFORMANCE Looking after one another for 125 years. In 1896, twenty farmers got together to look after each other and their communities. 125 years later, this still holds true. Proud sponsor of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet APRIL 06, 2021 TRIM: 4.875 in X 7.75 in WAWANESA BLEED: NA Winnipeg Ballet Ad COLOUR: CMYK Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet Tableau FOUNDERS Gweneth Lloyd & Betty Farrally ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS Arnold Spohr, C.C., O.M. FOUNDING DIRECTOR, SCHOOL RECREATIONAL DIVISION Jean Mackenzie FOUNDING DIRECTOR, SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION David Moroni, C.M., O.M., D.Litt, (h.c.) ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CEO André Lewis ARTISTS Yayoi Ban, Elizabeth Lamont, Chenxin Liu, Alanna McAdie, Yosuke Mino, Yue Shi, Katie Bonnell, Stephan Azulay, Liam Caines, Ryan Vetter, Jenna Burns, Jaimi Deleau, Elena Dobrowna, Katie Simpson, Sarah Joan Smith, Amanda Solheim, Joshua Hidson, Peter Lancksweerdt, Michel Lavoie, Parker Long, Liam Saito Emilie Lewis, Brooke Thomas, and Tymin Keown ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Tara Birtwhistle PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR Julian Pellicano SENIOR BALLET MASTER Johnny W. Chang BALLET MASTERS Caroline Gruber, Vanessa Léonard, Jaime Vargas SCHOOL DIRECTOR Stéphane Léonard RECREATIONAL DIVISION PRINCIPAL Nicole Kepp PROFESSIONAL DIVISION PRINCIPAL Suzanne André TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM DIRECTOR Johanne Gingras STAGE MANAGER Candace Jacobson Land and Water Acknowledgment We are grateful to practice our art on Treaty One land, the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. We acknowledge that our water is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation. We stand with the indigenous community and commit to build an ongoing process of reconciliation and collaboration. ISSUE NO. 219 | ISSN: 1495-9291 We are pleased to receive your feedback, comments and questions. Cover: Jaimi Deleau; Photo by David Cooper Send to: Marketing & Communications Department, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is a chartered non-profit corporation Royal Winnipeg Ballet, 380 Graham Avenue, Wpg, MB, R3C 4K2 operated by a voluntary Board of Directors, Don Leitch, Chair. T: 204.956.0183 E: [email protected] Artists have appeared by permission of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists THE MAGIC FLUTE 3 A Message From André Lewis Welcome, we are thrilled to have you join us for the final performance of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s 81st season. It is perhaps fitting that such a lively ballet wraps up a year like none of us have ever seen before with Mark Godden’s The Magic Flute. This version has been adapted and saw our 24-member company split into three cohorts with physically distanced choreography and a surprise ending for those of you who have seen the performance before. It is also our debut project with Jesse & Vanda of Strongfront.tv who played a significant role in telling this story through their professional and artistic talent in video production. The sets, props, costumes and wigs, designed by the talented Paul Daigle, will baffle even the most creative minds, giving a truly unique look into the creative genius of Mark Godden and our production department has outdone themselves to bring this creation to life including a glass wall, mashed potatoes, a rolling television and bizarre costumes and wigs. Mozart’s genius is self-evident when you listen to his music. He was able not only to innovate but to elaborate on traditions; to bring an evolution to the artform. The Magic Flute follows this direction. I’m honoured to work with artists and individuals who have followed in his footsteps and their commitment to new ideas, their courage to examine conventions fearlessly and critically and their ability to create new possibilities for art. This entire performance is designed to allow the audience to escape to a world of oddities, colourful costumes and once again witness good triumph over evil. For centuries, the arts have always played a crucial role during challenging times and this is no exception, The Magic Flute will truly take you to a new world. We dedicate this work to you. We are forever grateful to you, our dedicated audience, for your continuous support. André Lewis, Artistic Director & CEO 4 CANADA'S ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET Credits, Characters & Casting CREATOR COSTUME FILMING & EDITING & CHOREOGRAPHER & SET DESIGN Jesse Green & Mark Godden Paul Daigle Vanda Fleury-Green with Strongfront.tv MUSIC SOUND DESIGN Wolfgang Jean-Pierre Côté LENGTH Amadeus Mozart 80 minutes Characters TAMINO Our male hero who is asked by the Queen of the Night to rescues her kidnapped daughter Pamina from her estranged husband, Sarastro. As he stands for nothing, he is vulnerable to fall for anything and becomes embroiled in the Queen’s dark plan. Tamino falls in love at first sight with Pamina’s picture. To help him in his journey to find her, he is bestowed with a magic flute and accompanied by Papageno, a servant of the Queen. Knowingly he searches for his true love and unknowingly he seeks to understand his purpose in life. PAMINA Daughter of estranged Sarastro and the Queen of the Night. Taken away by her father, Pamina becomes the most adept student of her father’s spiritual teachings. Upon seeing a photo of her rescuer, Pamina too falls instantly in love with Tamino. Jealous of Pamina’s affection for Tamino, fellow student Monostatos tries to ruin their connection by telling Sarastro of her indiscretions. Sarastro tries to convince his daughter to stay true to her vows of monastic life. Pamina, wanting to explore the world outside, argues with her over-protective father to set her free. PAPAGENO The weak-willed Papageno, a simple servant of the Queen, quickly falls for the lovely Papagena and then just as quickly becomes enticed away by the Queen’s sexy Glamazons. Paired with Tamino and given a magical music box, he sets out on this mission of rescue. Although indelibly helpful in reuniting Tamino and Pamina, he’s forever tempted by other women and is put to a final test to see if he can remain faithful to his true love, Papagena. PAPAGENA The love interest of Papageno who rightfully has no patience for her suitor’s wondering eye. She leaves broken-hearted, exhausted with his habitual infidelity, though gives him the opportunity to redeem himself once Papageno realizes the mistake he has made in losing her. QUEEN OF THE NIGHT Divorced from the domineering Sarastro she sppeals to Tamino to recue the kidnapped Pamina. Presenting a picture locket to help Tamino identify her, one look at his rapturous gaze on her daughter’s likeness and she knows he will be easily manipulated into this ancient quarrel with her husband. Orchestrating the plan for Tamino to recuse Pamina, it is uncertain if her intentions are for good or evil. It soon becomes clear that she will stop at nothing to enlist anyone, including her daughter, to execute her plan of revenge against Sarastro. THE MAGIC FLUTE 5 21 22 Dance with me at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Registration begins June 2021! RWB.ORG/REGISTER RWB SCHOOL RECREATIONAL STUDENT; PHOTO BY KRISTEN SAWATZKY (2019) Credits, Characters & Casting SARASTRO Pamina’s father who has taken his daughter in hopes of raising her as he sees fit and protecting her from the Queen of the Night. The High Priest of his order, he is the spiritual teacher for his daughter and his Flock. Sarastro crosses paths with Tamino before he meets Pamina and becomes essential in helping the young man realize his purpose in life. Although disappointed with his daughter’s will to leave the Flock and be with Tamino, Sarastro continues to impart his wisdom on Pamina, Tamino, Monostatos and even the Queen of the Night by teaching them forgiveness. MONOSTATOS Saratro’s keenest student who is constantly outdone by Pamina’s wisdom. Frustrated and jealous of her innate talents, he vigilantly waits for her to fail. Upon discovering her indiscretions with Tamino, Monostatos flees to tell Sarastro about his daughter’s disloyalty. Resentful towards Pamina, he attacks her and Sarastro banishes him from the Flock. He then falls into the insidious plans of the Queen. GLAMAZONS The irresistible sirens who tempt Papageno and challenge Tamino during their journey. THE FLOCK The disciples of Sarastro who study his spiritual teachings. THE NAVIGATORS The three guides who not only help Tamino and Papageno in their journey, but also bestow on them a magic flute and music box of the challenges they will face. Casting QUEEN OF THE NIGHT MONOSTATOS Katie Bonnell Peter Lancksweerdt SARASTRO QUEEN’S GUARD Liam Caines Jenna Burns, Emilie Lewis, Katie Simpson, TAMINO Amanda Solheim, Tymin Keown, Liam Saito Yue Shi Stephan Azulay GLAMAZONS Ryan Vetter Jaimi Deleau, Elena Dobrowna, Elizabeth Lamont PAMINA CREATURES Chenxin Liu Jenna Burns, Emilie Lewis, Katie Simpson, Katie Simpson Amanda Solheim, Tymin Keown, Liam Saito PAPAGENO FLOCK Yosuke Mino Joshua Hidson, Michel Lavoie, Liam Saito Parker Long, Yue Shi Parker Long NAVIGATORS PAPAGENA Alanna McAdie, Sarah Joan Smith, Alanna McAdie Brooke Thomas, Ryan Vetter THE MAGIC FLUTE 7 20 21 Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet gratefully acknowledges the following support for The Magic Flute. STRONGFRONT TV CREW MEMBER AND RWB COMPANY DANCERS; PHOTO BY DANIEL CRUMP (2021) PRESENTING SPONSOR TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTER PERFORMANCE SPONSOR OFFICIAL PROVIDERS Canada's Ofcial Florist THE MAGIC FLUTE 9 Creative Team Biographies André Lewis | Artistic Director & CEO André Lewis has spent the majority of his career with Canada’s first professional dance company, accepting the position of Artistic Director in 1996. Since then, Lewis has been the driving force behind the new and innovative works that have dramatically rejuvenated the Company’s repertoire.