Raina

I agree that Portner's idea is not original. islands reminded me of the duet Fukuoka that Spanish choreographer Marcos Morau staged for Montreal's Les Grands Ballets. We had the opportunity to see it in 2021 during the company's Covid-era stream. The duet was influenced by flamenco and was more interesting and wittier than islands. https://themontrealeronline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/gbcm_fukuok.jpg https://themontrealeronline.com/2021/06/les-grands-ballets-offers-a-series-of-new-webcast-works/

March 22, 2024 UtopiVerse Lotus Koto Ishihara Leo Ben Rudisin The Daemon Christopher Gerty The Undermined Emma Ouellet islands Hannah Galway and Jenna Savella Suite en Blanc La Sieste Clare Peterson, Selene Guerrero-Trujillo, Monika Haczkiewicz Thème Varié Calley Skalnik, Peng-Fei Jiang, Larkin Miller Sérénade Isabella Kinch Presto (pas de cinq) Ayano Haneishi; Isaac Wright, David Preciado, Scott McKenzie, Noah Parets La Cigarette Svetlana Lunkina Mazurka Aidan Tully Adage Emerson Dayton, Spencer Hack La Flûte Emerson Dayton, Spencer Hack, Peng-Fei Jiang, Larkin Miller The overall impression made by Suite en Blanc on March 22th was much better than on the 20th. Perhaps the dancers had overcome their nerves and were able to demonstrate their best form. Isaac Wright, David Preciado, Scott McKenzie and Noah Parets were again satisfying in their synchronicity. Monika Haczkiewicz demonstrated a calm and confident manner on stage. I think she could make an interesting character dancer. Lifar's choreography suited Calley Skalnik well; I liked her performance in the Thème Varié. Svetlana Lunkina in La Cigarette was graceful and flirtatious. Aidan Tully performed the Mazurka beautifully. Emerson Dayton and Spencer Hack did not disappoint in the Adagio, Emerson's fouettés and turns were quite confident. I am very glad that thanks to the two triple bills I saw, I discovered two promising young dancers - Emma Ouellet and Aidan Tully. I look forward to watching their creative growth.

March 20, 2024 UtopiVerse Lotus Koto Ishihara Leo Ben Rudisin The Daemon Christopher Gerty The Undermined Emma Ouellet islands Heather Ogden and Emma Ouellet Suite en Blanc La Sieste Chelsy Meiss, Tene Ward, Monika Haczkiewicz Thème Varié Brenna Flaherty, Donald Thom, Larkin Miller Sérénade Isabella Kinch Presto (pas de cinq) Koto Ishihara; Isaac Wright, David Preciado, Scott McKenzie, Noah Parets La Cigarette Calley Skalnik Mazurka Spencer Hack Adage Svetlana Lunkina, Harrison James La Flûte Svetlana Lunkina; Harrison James, Donald Thom, Larkin Miller After the successful run of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the triple bill on March 20 elicited mixed feelings in me. Despite the interesting design, especially the lighting, the first piece, UtopiVerse, seemed boring to me. The performers of the main roles, with the exception of corps member Emma Ouellet, did not even try to breathe life or at least some feeling into their dancing. The concept of the ballet remained a riddle for me. Against this backdrop, islands looked more interesting and emotional. Suite en Blanc was somewhat disappointing. Most of the dancers made glaring mistakes. Perhaps this was due to fatigue, little time for rehearsals after Alice or opening-night nerves. Against this background of mediocre performances, Svetlana Lunkina stood tall like Mount Everest. A brilliant and unforgettable performance! I also want to note the wonderful dancing and partnering of Harrison James. Calley Skalnik danced cleanly. The quartet of Isaac Wright, David Preciado, Scott McKenzie and Noah Parets demonstrated synchronization and smoothness. But the other dancers need to work and work some more on their classical technique.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland March 12 Alice- Tirion Law Jack/The Knave of Hearts- Naoya Ebe Lewis Carroll/The White Rabbit-  Donald Thom Mother/The Queen of Hearts - Svetlana Lunkina Father/The King of Hearts- Rex Harrington Magician/Mad Hatter- Ben Rudisin I agree that casting should be announced earlier. I exchanged my tickets for March 12th and sat in the 5th ring instead of the 3rd because there were no other tickets in my price category. I think we can congratulate Tirion Law on a successful debut. Her Alice was childishly inquisitive, with lovely plastique and quite artistic. She was on stage almost the entire time and did not look tired at the end of the performance. Naoya Ebe is one of the most technical dancers in the company. I love him in plotless ballets; I really liked him in Paquita, Etudes, Forsythe's ballets, as well as Ratmansky's ballet to Shostakovich. In my opinion, in narrative ballets, he lacks a bit of stage temperament, but he is a reliable partner, and as a member of the audience, I do not have to worry about the quality of his jumps, pirouettes and lifts. On the other hand, Donald Thom, despite his more modest technique, has greatly increased as an artist. I really enjoyed his recent performances in A Streetcar Named Desire, Emma Bovary and Alice. I would also like to note the successful performances of Ben Rudisin as the Mad Hatter and Peng-Fei Jiang as the Caterpillar. Svetlana Lunkina was the real queen of the show, showing an unusual combination of bullheadedness and femininity in her character. I was disappointed by the changes to the parody of the Rose Adagio, where a woman performed instead of the fourth cavalier. I don't understand the point of it. It was very interesting to see Canadian ballet legend Rex Harrington, who once again proved that there are no small parts for true artists. It was clear that he was enjoying his return to the stage. I enjoyed the fun and colourful performance; all the artists danced with enthusiasm, the orchestra sounded great. It was a real pleasure.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Casting Alice Tirion Law* (March 6, 8, 12, 15 at 7:30 pm/March 10 at 2:00 pm)  Emerson Dayton* (March 7, 14, 16 at 2:00 pm/March 9 at 7:30 pm)  Hannah Galway* (March 7, 13, 16 at 7:30 pm/March 9 at 2:00 pm)  Jeannine Haller* (March 14 at 7:30 pm/March 17 at 2:00 pm)  Jack/The Knave of Hearts  Naoya Ebe (March 6, 8, 12, 15 at 7:30 pm/March 10 at 2:00 pm)  Keaton Leier* (March 7, 14, 16 at 2:00 pm/March 9 at 7:30 pm)  Harrison James (March 7, 13, 14, 16 at 7:30 pm/March 9, 17 at 2:00 pm)  Lewis Carroll/The White Rabbit  Donald Thom* (March 6, 8, 12, 15 at 7:30 pm/March 10 at 2:00 pm)  Siphesihle November (March 7, 9, 14, 16 at 2:00 pm/March 7, 9, 13, 16 at 7:30 pm)  Spencer Hack* (March 14 at 7:30 pm/March 17 at 2:00 pm)  Mother/The Queen of Hearts  Svetlana Lunkina (March 6, 8, 12, 15 at 7:30 pm/March 10 at 2:00 pm)  Chelsy Meiss* (March 7, 14, 16 at 2:00 pm/March 9 at 7:30 pm)  Heather Ogden (March 7, 13, 16 at 7:30 pm/March 9 at 2:00 pm)   Alexandra MacDonald* (March 14 at 7:30 pm/March 17 at 2:00 pm)  Father/The King of Hearts  Rex Harrington† (March 6, 7, 8, 12, 15 at 7:30 pm/March 9, 10, 14, 16 at 2:00 pm)   Johnathan Renna* † (March 7, 17 at 2:00 pm/March 9, 13, 14, 16 at 7:30 pm)  Magician/Mad Hatter  Ben Rudisin (March 6, 8, 9, 12, 15 at 7:30 pm/March 7, 10, 14, 16 at 2:00 pm)  Donald Thom (March 7, 13, 16 at 7:30 pm/March 9 at 2:00 pm)  Noah Parets* (March 14 at 7:30 pm/March 17 at 2:00 pm)   * Debut   † Guest Artists  All casting subject to change.  

Despite the fact that all the debutantes made mistakes, the performance on the afternoon of the 25th turned out to be very moving and emotional. I liked Lensky and Olga performed by Siphesihle November and Tirion Law. Their dancing had youthful ardour. November was convincing in the dramatic episodes, and the duel scene moved me to tears. I really enjoyed the image of Onegin created by Larkin Miller. I understand that he was very nervous, and it is not easy for a young and not very experienced artist to prepare such a difficult role. Not everything turned out perfectly, but his hero was exactly how I imagine Onegin to be. Additional bonuses are his height and appearance. Larkin could grow into a wonderful Onegin if he gets a chance to dance the part in the future. Let's wish him success in his dancing career. Svetlana Lunkina is simply a cosmic ballerina. Each of her dramatic roles penetrates to the depths of one's soul. Shame on the National Ballet of Canada for having one of the great ballerinas of our time on staff and giving her only one performance to dance.

Onegin Opening Night. Guillaume Côté, Jurgita Dronina, Harrison James, Tina Pereira, Ben Rudisin. I really enjoyed the performance of Onegin on the 22nd. Jurgita and Guillaume made a wonderful duet. I want to highlight the extraordinary performance of Harrison James. I'm a longtime fan of his and always enjoy his dancing, but his performance on the 22nd blew me away. He had an excellent understanding of his hero's character, and his technical performance was brilliant.

A very interesting review, volcanohunter. I agree that we didn't see any new ideas in Helen Pickett's Emma Bovary. I also thought about Madama Butterfly and Anna Karenina during the performance. Anyway, the first cast did a great job. It was like a gripping thriller for me. Next time I would go to see this ballet only with Hannah Galway as Emma. I think the flight of Emma wasn't a scene of a sexual ecstasy; it was her dream about love and passion.

I also attended on Thursday, once again on the third ring, but on the other side. I decided to watch only the main couple in Passion, the other artists were the background. This time Kudelka's work moved me to tears. I saw many interesting nuances and experiences in the dance of Svetlana and Piotr. It created a completely different impression. Apparently, this ballet needs to be watched several times. Emma Bovary was good and well done. But I agree that the dancers did not achieve the nerve and psychological credibility of the first cast.

Thank you Xiaoyi for your very detailed review. I totally agree with you about Emma Bovary and predict the Rolex and a promotion for Hannah Galway. I am not a hater of Kudelka; I am his admirer. His choreography speaks to me and touches me a lot. I always find logic and ideas in his ballets. I also love Lunkina and Stanczyk very much. Maybe my expectations for Passion were too high, and I was a little disappointed. The long walking of the leading couple on stage looked emotionless from the 3rd ring. I believe there was flirtation between them, but I didn't see their facial expressions because I wanted to see the whole stage and didn't use my binoculars. I think there was supposed to be a contrast between a formal classical dance and a very emotional contemporary performance, but unfortunately, it didn't happen for me. Anyway, I was very glad to see Svetlana and Piotr. The orchestra sounds very fine this time, and I especially want to mention pianist Andrei Streliaev. By the way, my husband was very impressed by Passion; he told me that the finale was very moving for him.

Casting David Briskin, Music Director and Principal Conductor Emma Bovary Emma Bovary Hannah Galway (November 11, 17 at 7:30 pm/ November 12, 18 at 2:00 pm) Jenna Savella (November 15, 16 at 7:30 pm) Heather Ogden (November 16 at 2:00 pm/ November 18 at 7:30 pm) Charles Bovary, Emma’s husband Donald Thom (November 11, 17 at 7:30 pm/ November 12, 18 at 2:00 pm) Jack Bertinshaw (November 15, 16 at 7:30 pm) Josh Hall (November 16 at 2:00 pm/ November 18 at 7:30 pm) Madame Bovary, Emma’s Mother-in-Law Jordana Daumec (November 11, 17 at 7:30 pm/ November 12, 18 at 2:00 pm) Alexandra MacDonald (November 15, 16 at 7:30 pm) Chelsy Meiss (November 16 at 2:00 pm/ November 18 at 7:30 pm) Felicité, Emma’s Maid Tirion Law (November 11, 17 at 7:30 pm/ November 12, 18 at 2:00 pm) Arielle Miralles (November 15, 16 at 7:30 pm) Emerson Dayton (November 16 at 2:00 pm/ November 18 at 7:30 pm) Berthe, Emma’s Daughter Puppeteers Ross Allen or Albjon Gjorllaku, Emerson Dayton or Emma Ouellet, Sophie Lee Rodolphe Boulanger, Emma’s Lover Siphesihle November (November 11, 17 at 7:30 pm/ November 12, 18 at 2:00 pm) Harrison James (November 15, 16 at 7:30 pm) Christopher Gerty (November 16 at 2:00 pm/ November 18 at 7:30 pm) Monsieur Lheureux, Fancy Good’s Salesman Spencer Hack (November 11, 17 at 7:30 pm/ November 12, 18 at 2:00 pm) Kota Sato (November 15, 16 at 7:30 pm) Ben Rudisin (November 16 at 2:00 pm/ November 18 at 7:30 pm) L’Abbé David Preciado or Scott McKenzie Felicité’s Boyfriend, Justin Alexander Skinner Opera Singer Jordana Daumec (November 11, 17 at 7:30 pm/ November 12, 18 at 2:00 pm) Chelsy Meiss (November 16 at 2:00 pm/ November 18 at 7:30 pm) Alexandra MacDonald (November 15, 16 at 7:30 pm) Lheureux’s Sales Team Brenna Flaherty, Jason Ferro or Ross Allen, Keaton Leier, Scott McKenzie or Noah Parets, Clare Peterson, Isaac Wright Townspeople/Guests of the Ball Isabelle Bratt or Isabella Kinch, Emerson Dayton or Miyoko Koyasu, Selene Guerrero-Trujillo, Monika Haczkiewicz, Ayano Haneishi, Tirion Law or Arielle Miralles or Emerson Dayton, Sophie Lee, Arielle Miralles or Connor Hamilton, Emma Ouellet, Tene Ward Ross Allen or Christopher Waters, Jason Ferro, Josh Hall or Albjon Gjorllaku, Peng-Fei Jiang or Trygve Cumpston, Larkin Miller or Oliver Yonick, Noah Parets or Kota Sato, David Preciado or Scott McKenzie, Alexander Skinner, Konstantin Tkachuk, Aidan Tully Passion November 11, 15, 16, 18 at 7:30 pm PIOTR STANCZYK and SVETLANA LUNKINA HARRISON JAMES and CALLEY SKALNIK Donald Thom and Chelsy Meiss, Isaac Wright and Monika Haczkiewicz Isabella Kinch, Clare Peterson, Ayano Haneishi, Connor Hamilton, Miyoko Koyasu November 12 at 2:00 pm/ November 17 at 7:30 pm CHRISTOPHER GERTY and HEATHER OGDEN LARKIN MILLER and GENEVIEVE PENN NABITY Oliver Yonick and Isabella Kinch, Konstantin Tkachuk and Tene Ward Emma Oulette, Tirion Law, Emerson Dayton, Sophie Lee, Arielle Miralles November 16, 18 at 2:00 pm JACK BERTINSHAW and JENNA SAVELLA KEATON LEIER and TINA PEREIRA Kota Sato and Brenna Flaherty, Albjon Gjorllaku and Hannah Galway Emma Oulette, Tirion Law, Emerson Dayton, Sophie Lee, Arielle Miralles All casting subject to change.

SWAN SONG is an immersive new CBC documentary series that brings viewers inside The National Ballet of Canada as the company mounts a legacy-defining new production of Swan Lake, directed by ballet icon Karen Kain as she bids farewell to the company she’s become synonymous with. At this special FFDN event, enjoy a sneak preview of SWAN SONG before the series premieres on CBC, including an artist chat on stage with the creative team, plus a live performance of excerpts from Swan Lake. SWAN SONG follows Karen Kain and a group of dancers drawn from across the company’s ranks, weaving the ballet’s dramatic creation process with intimate scenes from the subjects’ personal lives, as they push toward one of the most significant opening nights in their company’s history. Enjoy an exclusive sneak preview during Fall for Dance North's 9th annual festival before the four-part series airs in November 2023 on CBC and CBC Gem. An FFDN Special Event Programme order: Screening of SWAN SONG Episode 1 Artist Chat on stage with Karen Kain (Swan Lake Director/Choreographer), Jurgita Dronina (National Ballet Principal Dancer), Siphesihle November (National Ballet Principal Dancer), Arielle Miralles (National Ballet Corps de Ballet Member), Chelsea McMullan (SWAN SONG Director) Live Performance, excerpts from Swan Lake, danced by the artists of The National Ballet of Canada. Choreography by Karen Kain, Christopher Stowell and Robert Binet after Erik Bruhn, Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa. Casting to be announced. Total running time: Approx. 90 mins. https://www.ffdnorth.com/swan-song?mc_cid=0544fa32e9&mc_eid=b4b2a30c60

Well-deserved promotions. Alexander Skinner

June 16, Romeo and Juliet Juliet Sara Mearns Romeo Guillaume Côté Mercutio Spencer Hack Benvolio Noah Parets Tybalt Josh Hall Paris Peng-Fei Jiang We went to see Sara Mearns and Guillaume Côté. Sara's dancing was technically accomplished. Her pirouettes are excellent, she jumps well, but she wasn't Juliet for me. Perhaps there was too little time to prepare the role. I waited in vain for "chemistry" between her and Guillaume, and it didn't happen. Guillaume was more emotional, whirling around her like a spinning top. It's difficult for me to formulate an impression. Everything was fine technically, but for me there was no meaning in the movements. I saw this ballet before with Svetlana Lunkina and Evan McKie. There was no comparison. Lunkina really can turn a sow's ear into a silk purse, she is very impressive even in a mediocre choreography. It was clear that Sara was nervous. After the performance, Guillaume hugged and encouraged her. The audience applauded enthusiastically, but not for long. Someone on our ring booed. Spencer Hack, Noah Parets and Josh Hall were really good. I liked nice lines and lite jumps of Peng-Fei Jiang in his little solo. The orchestra didn't sound perfect for me.