National Ballet of Canada

National Ballet of Canada. The company was founded in 1951 by Celia Franca, a British-born ballet dancer and choreographer, with the goal of creating a Canadian ballet company that would showcase the country's rich cultural heritage. The company's early years were marked by collaborations with renowned ballet companies such as the Royal Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre, and performances at prestigious venues like the O'Keefe Centre and the Massey Hall. With the support of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Canada Council for the Arts, the company was able to establish itself as a major player in the Canadian arts scene, alongside other prominent institutions like the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the National Gallery of Canada.

● History

The company's history is closely tied to that of its founder, Celia Franca, who was inspired by the likes of Serge Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes. In the early years, the company performed a range of classical ballets, including Swan Lake and Giselle, as well as works by Canadian choreographers like Grant Strate and James Kudelka. The company's first major production was a staging of The Nutcracker, which premiered at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1955, featuring dancers from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Over the years, the company has also collaborated with other prominent Canadian arts organizations, such as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian Opera Company, on productions like The Firebird and The Rite of Spring.

● Artistic Directors

The company has had several artistic directors throughout its history, including Celia Franca, Alexander Grant, and James Kudelka. Each of these directors has brought their own unique vision to the company, shaping its repertoire and style. Karen Kain, a former principal dancer with the company, took over as artistic director in 2005 and has since overseen the development of new works, including Chroma and The Four Seasons, in collaboration with choreographers like Wayne McGregor and James Kudelka. The company has also worked with other notable artistic directors, such as Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov, on productions like Don Quixote and The Sleeping Beauty.

● Repertoire

The company's repertoire includes a range of classical ballets, such as Romeo and Juliet and The Sleeping Beauty, as well as more contemporary works like The Concert and Emergence. The company has also commissioned new works from Canadian choreographers like Crystal Pite and Robert Binet, and has collaborated with international choreographers like Akram Khan and Twyla Tharp on productions like Giselle and Push. The company's repertoire also includes works by George Balanchine, such as Serenade and Apollo, which have been performed at venues like the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.

● Dancers

The company has a diverse range of dancers, including principal dancers like Guillaume Côté and Heather Ogden, and corps de ballet members like Tanya Howard and Naoya Ebe. Many of the company's dancers have gone on to have successful careers with other prominent ballet companies, such as the American Ballet Theatre and the Royal Ballet, and have performed at prestigious venues like the Bolshoi Theatre and the Teatro alla Scala. The company has also been home to dancers like Karen Kain and Frank Augustyn, who have gone on to become artistic directors and choreographers in their own right, working with companies like the National Ballet of Canada and the Dutch National Ballet.

● Productions and Tours

The company has produced a range of ballets over the years, including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Giselle. The company has also toured extensively, performing at venues like the Lincoln Center and the Palais Garnier, and has collaborated with other prominent ballet companies like the Paris Opera Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet on productions like La Sylphide and The Bright Stream. The company's productions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Prix Benois de la Danse and the National Arts Centre Award, and have been praised by critics like John Rockwell and Anna Kisselgoff for their technical precision and artistic expression. The company continues to be a major player in the Canadian arts scene, alongside other prominent institutions like the Canadian Museum of History and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Category:Ballet companies