Romeo and Juliet – the Ballet of Timeless Love

Jiří Jelinek as Tybalt and artists of the ballet in Romeo and Juliet
Image credit: yfrog.com/nationalballet - national.ballet.ca

Romeo and Juliet World Premiere
National Ballet of Canada
November 16-27, 2011
Four Seasons Centre for the Perfoming Arts
145 Queen Street West, Toronto

A historic event took place on November 16, 2011 in Toronto - The world premiere of the new "Romeo and Juliet" ballet was greatly anticipated by the full house audience at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. When the curtain lifted on an entirely original choreography by the renowned artist, Alexei Ratmansky, a timeless tale of undying love unfolded.

The National Ballet of Canada’s Guillaume Cote and Elena Lobsanova were unforgettable as the famous star-crossed lovers. Their performance moves the heart to tears, and reminds us of the enduring love that triumphs over death. The young dancers reached sublime perfection in their portrayal of the tragic couple. Guillaume Cote is a high-energy, romantic Romeo, who emits vitality and valour with every move. Elena Lobsanova is breathtaking as the exuberant Juliet; she conveys deep emotions and intricate steps through brilliant lightness and purity.

The William Shakespeare's classic love story is vibrantly expressed by the masterful interplay of characters whose roles are integral to the plot. Alexei Ratmansky’s choreography is rich with complicated lifts, jumps and turns, every moment of the ballet is active and emotive, filled with complex dance sequences, clever humour and powerful drama. Piotr Stanczyk dances a witty and charismatic Mercutio and Jiri Jelinek portrays an ominous Tybalt, their actions together with the rivalry of the two houses are pivotal to the fate of Romeo and Juliet.

The ballet builds in dramatic intensity and reaches its apex in the last act with the fateful end of the lovers’ lives. But their love lives on as Romeo and Juliet, husband and wife, follow each other into eternity. Their love unites rivalling families and transcends death, as Romeo and Juliet live on forever in spirit, saved by each others’ love. It is this vital message that the ballet conveys, as the audience sees its beloved characters dying in each others’ arms.

The new ballet is an epic undertaking to resurrect a story which is based on true events - a story which tends to repeat itself at various times in history, showing that its message is not understood. It takes great masterpieces such as the one born on the stage of the National Ballet of Canada, to transmit the moral of the story anew. This phenomenal new choreography, set to legendary music by Sergei Prokofiev, is created by great masters and artists, including set and costumes design by Richard Hudson. It is a production which unlike the previous version of the ballet involves the full corps de ballet of the Company and is a full-length classical ballet attuned to the contemporary life.

On stage until November 27, 2011, the groundbreaking ballet is an inspiring and exhilarating experience which will be cherished for generations. To see this beautiful ballet, with its exceptional dancers, superlative choreography and outstanding performance, is to participate in history and to realise the constant moral of life, that love never fails and endures everything.

2011 @ Anya

The National Ballet of Canada
Romeo and Juliet: The Trailer

youtube.com: Romeo and Juliet: The Trailer
credit: nationalballetcanada | Nov 18, 2011 | 91 views

links:
twitter.com: nationalballet
Thank you to our amazing opening night audience for your 10 minute ovation and raptuous response to the world premiere of Romeo and Juliet.
17 Nov

backstagepassblog.ca: A Fresh Take on Romeo and Juliet
by Karen Kain, Artistic Director

cbc.ca/video: November 19, 2011 > News > TV Shows > The National > Ballet's gutsy gamble
Featured Analysis: National Ballet celebrates 60 years in style
The National Ballet takes a great leap of faith with a top choreographer's new production of the classic love story Romeo and Juliet: There aren't too many people who dare to re-work a Shakespeare classic, but the National Ballet of Canada has done just that to mark its 60th anniversary. It's a gamble costing almost 2-million dollars, but with the help of an acclaimed choreographer - one that's paying dividends.
Arisa Cox has the story tonight

World Premiere of Romeo and Juliet: National Ballet of Canada: November 16-27

National Ballet of Canada: Alexei Ratmansky's Romeo & Juliet
Four Seasons Centre for the Perfoming Arts, November 16-27, 2011
Photo credits: Guillaume Côté and Elena Lobsanova in Romeo and Juliet
Photograph : Christopher Wahl + national.ballet.ca

The National Ballet of Canada

World Premiere

Romeo & Juliet

New production
choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky

November 16-27, 2011

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
Map & Directions: 145 Queen Street West, Toronto


World premiere of Romeo and Juliet by Alexei Ratmanksy opens 60th anniversary season of The National Ballet of Canada. And even more: November 14 – 20, 2011 proclaimed as "National Ballet of Canada Week" in the City of Toronto.

Shakespeare's tender, tragic and enduring evocation of youthful passion undone by familial and societal discord, Romeo and Juliet has exerted its incomparable emotional power over generations of ballet audiences throughout the world.

Created by the internationally celebrated choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, this world premiere is a totally fresh, brilliantly imagined interpretation of Shakespeare's play. Building on and finding wonderfully inventive possibilities in Prokofiev's inimitable and touching score, Ratmansky blends the elegance and stateliness of a classical vocabulary with the intense emotional edge of the modern to create an unforgettable version of one of the greatest dance dramas ever.

More info: national.ballet.ca

Romeo and Juliet: The Photo Shoot


youtube.com: Romeo and Juliet: The Photo Shoot
Video by James Cooper.
Uploaded by nationalballetcanada on Sep 20, 2011

links:
balletnews.co.uk: Guillaume Côté and Elena Lobsanova will dance the Opening Night of the World Premiere of Romeo & Juliet on November 16th 2011

balletnews.co.uk: National Ballet of Canada | Romeo and Juliet Principal Casting Announced

toronto.com: Romeo and Juliet-themed Menu at Tundra
Tundra Restaurant, located in the Hilton Toronto Hotel (the National Ballet’s Official Hospitality Partner) on Richmond Street, is offering a special Romeo and Juliet menu.

khvostik.wordpress.com: Le Ballet est Ballets Russes
by khvostik

torontolife.com: Best of Fall #5: How the National Ballet’s Elena Lobsanova is preparing for her big debut in Romeo and Juliet
by Emily Landau

broadwayworld.com: BWW Interviews: Elena Lobsanova talks the World Premiere of Romeo and Juliet
by Kelly Cameron

toronto.com: A fresh take on Romeo and Juliet
by Michael Crabb

nytimes.com: Alexei Ratmansky
"Alexei Ratmansky is the most in-demand ballet choreographer in the world, known for his musicality, wit and physical inventiveness."
The New York Times

Happy Old New Year!

Photo: Happy Old New Year!
2010 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

Happy Old New Year!

by Boris “Bolero” Roginsky

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the famous song goes. And it very well may be. At least for those having ties or wishing to have ties to the Russian culture.

Yes, of course every season has something pleasant to offer to everyone. And yet, as far as I know, neither spring nor summer nor autumn offers FOUR widely celebrated holidays within the span of about three weeks to anyone else!

Since 1918 the international Russian-speaking community has been celebrating two Christmases and two New Years. While December and January are indeed the magical months primarily for those who choose to believe so, the explanation of this phenomenon should satisfy everyone — the believers and non-believers alike.

About 92 years ago the Russian government adopted the civil Gregorian Calendar, associated with the Roman Catholic Church and yet used for secular administrative purposes all over the world. However, the Russian Orthodox Church never stopped using the Julian Calendar either. Hence, since then, people have been enjoying this abundance of holidays. Hasn’t it been great? Just think of all the presents and sweets!

Now, holidays are for having fun. And each year the City of Toronto offers us plenty of ways to entertain ourselves as the passing year gets ready to let the new one take over. Since, as they claim, our city is the most multicultural one in the world, it is fabulous to be able to enjoy the diverse elements of the world culture intertwining right here. And what great opportunities those are!

The National Ballet of Canada’s production of The Nutcracker continues to be a hit. Based on the beloved story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by the German writer E.T.A. Hoffmann and set to the sublime score by the Russian composer P.I. Tchaikovsky, the performance has been enchanting audiences for over 15 years. The Canadian choreographer and librettist, James Kudelka, chose to tell the German story in the 19th-century Russian setting. And the American set and costume designer, Santo Loquasto, created such a splendid pallet of colours and texture that their richness fills a spectator with the positive energy for the whole year. Just enough to last till the next year’s performance!

And how about the Cineplex’s initiative to broadcast performances, featuring the best voices in the world from New York’s Metropolitan Opera for the third year in a row? Of course it could not be simply a coincidence that programme planners slated Les Contes d’Hoffmann with the music by Jacques Offenbach and libretto by Jules Barbier (of the German-Jewish and the French ancestry respectively) on December 19, just a few days before Christmas. The magic would not be complete without Anna Netrebko’s marvelous performance. The Russian star sang the part of Antonia and as usual charmed the audience.

So now, when it’s almost the time to take down the lights, Happy New Year to all of you! Whatever and whenever you celebrate, let 2010 bring you great health and peace within!

2010 © Boris "Bolero" Roginsky

24th Annual Performance of Nutcracker Presented by Pia Bouman School in The Junction

Poster: Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement and Scotiabank Present Nutcracker 2009
The Lismer Hall at Humberside C.I. December 17 - 20
Photography: Jackson Huang
Design and Art Direction: Odette Ziezold
Credit: piaboumanschool.org

"For 24 years we've shared this seasonal classic and played a part in Toronto's holiday cheer," says Pia Bouman, artistic director and founder of Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement. "My Nutcracker production has never been the same twice, so each year we give our audience a little something different to enjoy in addition to the enchanting story they already know and love."
Holiday Magic Returns: West-End Nutcracker Performance Celebrates 24 Years
Press-Release by Marketwire - Nov. 16, 2009

Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement invites Toronto to be a part of its 24th annual performance of Nutcracker.

Nutcracker

Performances:
Thursday, Dec 17, 7:30 pm
Friday, Dec 18, 7:30 pm
Saturday, Dec 19, 1:30 & 7:30 pm
Sunday, Dec 20, 1:30 pm

Location:
Lismer Hall, Humberside Collegiate Institute
280 Quebec Avenue, Toronto, ON

Premiered: 1985
Choreography by: Pia Bouman
Special attraction: Using over 1,000 props and costumes, this staging of Nutcracker takes community theatre to a must-see level of complexity and professionalism.
With over 100 dancers, a massive effort from performers and volunteers is undertaken to mount this unique production, where dancers often share the stage with siblings, parents and grandparents – and your entrance actually becomes part of the opening scene.
Bouman’s Nutcracker has never been the same twice. Each year brings new variations and embellishments to choreography, costuming, characters and sets, while staying true to the timeless story audiences have come to enjoy at this special time of year.
A community-based Nutcracker, a local politician is often enlisted to make a cameo appearance. Mayor David Miller was a popular guest artist but hasn't been back since the year he and Toronto Star feature writer Kenneth Kidd, recruited as stretcher-bearers, dropped the Mouse King on the stage.
Venue: Humberside Collegiate Institute was established in 1892 as one of the original collegiates of the old townships of Toronto. It is a secondary school of approximately 1050 students with students attending grades 9 to 12. Humberside is a neighbourhood school which draws its student body from the population of the immediate area.

This production by students of the Pia Bouman School is a must-see performance for lovers of the traditional story of the Nutcracker.

Bolshoi Ballet [The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia]:
The Nutcracker: Snowflakes; Clara - Natalia Arkhipova; Prince - Irek Mukhamedov
by dancie October 19, 2006

links:
Backstage Pass: National Ballet of Canada: Karen Kain and Washington Post Critic Sarah Kaufman discuss The Nutcracker on CBC Radio’s Q
nutcrackerballet.net: Humberside Collegiate - The Nutcracker produced by Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement.
This annual production has been embraced by the Parkdale and High Park communities for the last 20 years! Although the story remains the same it is re-choreographed each year by Artistic Director Pia Bouman and is performed by the school's students aged 8-18 years with special adult guests. It is a real example of what can be accomplished with a youth company and with the support of parent volunteers to organize the costumes, sets, and props. For information online: www.piaboumanschool.org
blogto.com: Nutcracker
academic.ru: The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the book called "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" written by E.T.A. Hoffman. In 1891, the legendary choreographer Marius Petipa commissioned Tchaikovsky to write the music for the Nutcracker Ballet. In 1892, the first showing of the Nutcracker took place at the Mariinsky Theatre of Russia, home of the Kirov Ballet. The Nutcracker made its way to Western Europe in the 1930's and to America by 1940, performed by Ballet Russe. The first American full length Nutcracker was performed by the San Francisco Ballet, choreographed by W. Christensen. The Nutcracker has since become an annual Holiday tradition.
Christmas Stories: 'The Nutcracker'
by Eta Hoffmann

Three Robbin’s Ballet Pieces: Brilliant Canadian Tribute

Toronto: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
The National Ballet of Canada: West Side Story Suite & Glass Pieces & In the Night
November 8 - 18, 2007

"Glass Pieces" moved effortlessly and absorbed attention very much like flowing water or a camp fire that you can stare at forever. I would prefer to watch them from the balcony.

To enjoy "In the Night" you have to move closer to the orchestra to be in front of those three romantic and decadent duos. The shared 'Ah-hhh" went after the couples disappeared from the scene into the dark at the end of nocturnes.

In "The West Side Story Suite" the youth as always danced about eternal and generational. Puerto-Rican girls gave a fire in the America’s part as much as with accents as with attitudes. Maria was Russian by soul, and Jerome Robbins can rest assured.

Toronto’s deepest wish to be like New York City is three ballet steps closer now to become a reality.

Bravo National Ballet!

2007 © Natalia Silver

links:
Production Details of West Side Story Suite & Glass Pieces & In the Night
Credit: The National Ballet of Canada

West Side Story leaves us wanting
Nov 09, 2007 04:30 AM
John Terauds
Credit: Toronto Star

A divine tribute to a versatile choreographer
Print Edition 10/11/07
Paula Citron
Credit: The Globe and Mail

The Arts Junction:
National Ballet of Canada: The Life of a Ballet Dancer
National Ballet of Canada: Class on Stage and We Mean It

technorati tags:
5,025 results for West Side Story
2,912 posts tagged ballet
129 posts tagged West Side Story
9 posts tagged Jerome Robbins
4 posts tagged National Ballet of Canada

Posts that contain "West Side Story" per day for the last 30 days.

Get your own chart!

Posts that contain "National Ballet Of Canada" per day for the last 30 days.

Get your own chart!

National Ballet of Canada: The Life of a Ballet Dancer

Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
The National Ballet of Canada presents The Life of a Ballet Dancer

2007 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

The Life of a Ballet Dancer
Thursday, June 14, 2007
12 – 1 pm
The National Ballet of Canada Senior Ballet Master Peter Ottmann presents a lecture-demonstration that will guide the audience through the life of a dancer. The program will feature details of their extensive training and auditioning process, demonstrations of basic ballet exercises as well as the creation of characters with makeup and wigs.

Credit: Canadian Opera Company

A View from the Other Side of the Earth

I was brought up in the country where everybody recognized ballet as a possession of the state and was pride of it. It seemed that I knew everything about it.

But... Last performance "The Life of Ballet Dancer" changed my vision of it. The Senior Ballet Master (Peter Ottmann) and choreographers of National Ballet of Canada met with those who usually visited popular free midday concerts in the downtown Toronto. They spoke so naturally and friendly that gained confidence of us immediately.

For me it was as a new look at an old naphthalized staff. I realized that my knowledge was academic, and there I touched real lively ballet. During an hour I could watch a dancer doing her make-up, take some knowledge of the meaning of gestures in ballet, listen to voices of 'speechless' dancers and etc. It was marvelous!

I want to express gratitude to everybody who makes such a performance available.

2007 © Ira

links:

National Ballet of Canada: Class on Stage and We Mean It

technorati tags:

18 blog posts tagged "The Life of a Ballet Dancer"
149 blog posts tagged "National Ballet of Canada"
1 blog posts tagged "Peter Ottmann"
172,491 blog posts tagged ballet
184 blog posts tagged "Four Seasons Centre"
446,562 blog posts tagged Toronto
No blog posts tagged "view from the other side of the Earth"

Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre

Four Seasons Cenre for the Perfoming Arts
The National Ballet of Canada presents The Life of a Ballet Dancer
2007 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

permanent link:

National Ballet of Canada: The Life of a Ballet Dancer
http://artjunction.blogspot.com/2007/06/national-ballet-of-canada-life-of.html

National Ballet of Canada: Class on Stage and We Mean It

Ballet a La Carte
The creative idea was inspired by the National Ballet of Canada “Class on Stage"
luminaTO’s event and lunch at the Hosu Bistro.
2007 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

Class on Stage
Saturday June 2, 2007
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Watch the National Ballet’s dancers take class on stage at the Four Seasons Centre. Artist-in-Residence Rex Harrington will lead the dancers in their daily training routine while Senior Ballet Master Peter Ottmann provides insightful commentary. The event is part of Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts & Creativity 2007 and is free of charge. Doors open at 12:00 pm - arrive early, seating is limited.

Credit: LUMINATO: Toronto Festival of Arts & Creativity 2007

Notes & Impressions:
Saturday, June 2nd 2007

When Olga rang to tell me that the COC was hosting a ballet show called “Classes on Stage” at first I had my doubts, but agreed to come anyway.
I imagined a bunch of sweating dancers in tights doing warm-up moves with one hand clutching a long horizontal bar. As it turned out that was the beginning of the show, so I found myself dozing off.
Then they removed the bars! I set up, when I saw the dancers started to do their leaps and bounds into air like so many flying gazelles. It was a quite a treat seeing them giving their best performance, and repeating some of the more difficult steps for us. And Rex Harrington, NBC’s main dancer, kept the atmosphere relaxed and everyone of good humor.
All in all it was a show worth seeing and so graciously given.

2007 © Olivia

National Ballet Back Stage

When you watch ballet, you are amazed at how they make it look so easy. You take it for granted. You think it’s all their second nature. Part of it, certainly, is. But the rest is hard work day in and day out.
To spend almost two hours just to warm up BEFORE daily rehearsals and then hours of rehearsing, sounds like an excruciatingly painful daily routine. I’ve just watched one such routine – National Ballet’s Class on Stage in the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, and appreciated the hard work the performers put into their art for us to enjoy.
Thank you NBC!

2007 © Enhee

technorati tags:

114 posts tagged National Ballet of Canada
275 posts tagged Class on Stage
No posts tagged Peter Ottmann
19 posts tagged "Rex Harrington
119,351 posts tagged ballet
393 posts tagged luminato
289 posts tagged luminato 2007
116 posts tagged Four Seasons Centre
6 posts tagged Hosu Bistro
63 posts tagged notes & impressions

permanent link:

National Ballet of Canada: Class on Stage and We Mean It
http://artjunction.blogspot.com/2007/06/national-ballet-of-canada-class-on.html