Artistic Director Hope Muir announced today The National Ballet of Canada 2023-2024 season, seven programs filled to the brim with a repertory as diverse as its talented dancers.
The National Ballet of Canada 2023-2024 Season Trailer
The National Ballet of Canada 2023-2024 Season Schedule
Emma Bovary & Passion | November 11-18, 2023
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
- Emma Bovary by Helen Pickett
- Passion by James Kudelka
The world premiere of Helen Pickett’s Emma Bovary (her first work for the company) is a fascinating psychological exploration of the title character from Gustave Flaubert’s novel, Madame Bovary, set to an original score by Peter Salem.
The Canadian premiere of James Kudelka’s Passion was acquired for Principal Dancer Piotr Stanczyk to mark his retirement from an outstanding 25-year career with the National Ballet.
Onegin | November 22-26, 2023
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
- Onegin by
John Cranko’s extraordinary Onegin is a ballet which the very best artists of our age aspire to perform. A dance drama beloved for its rich characterization, musicality and passionate vocabulary, Onegin is based on Alexander Pushkin’s 19th century verse novel Eugene Onegin and tells a nuanced story of unrequited love.
The Nutcracker | December 8-30, 2023
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
- The Nutcracker by James Kudelka
The Nutcracker by James Kudelka returns with non-stop dancing and magnificent sets and costumes from Santo Loquasto and lighting by Jennifer Tipton.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland | March 6-17, 2024
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Christopher Wheeldon
Christopher Wheeldon’s ingenious Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland will delight the entire family. The spectacular production captures all the fun and oddities of Lewis Carroll’s story. A 2011 co-production with The Royal Ballet in London, Alice incorporates puppetry and video projections in a brilliant design by Bob Crowley, a cinematic original score from Joby Talbot and lighting by Natasha Katz.
New William Yong & islands & Suite en Blanc | March 20-24, 2024
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
- World Premiere by William Young
- islands by Emma Portner
- Suite en Blanc by Serge Lifar
The Winter Mixed Programme provides an eclectic offering including a world premiere by Toronto-based choreographer William Yong. In his first commission for The National Ballet of Canada, Yong’s voice integrates his muti-disciplinary experience and will showcase the versatility of our artists.
Canadian choreographer Emma Portner’s islands makes its North American premiere. A sculptural duet for two women, islands was hailed as a triumph when it premiered with Norwegian National Ballet in 2020 set to original music by Forest Swords.
Closing the programme is the Canadian premiere of Serge Lifar’s Suite en Blanc, a full company work of technical purity set to the music excerpts from Namouna, composed by Édouard Lalo.
Don Quixote | June 1-9, 2024
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
- Don Quixote by Carlos Acosta (after Marius Petipa)
The North American premiere of Don Quixote choreographed by Carlos Acosta after Marius Petipa is a visual feast for families and ballet-lovers alike. Don Quixote was created in 2013 for The Royal Ballet and remounted for Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2022, where Acosta is now Artistic Director.
It features musical arrangements by Hans Vercauteren after Ludwig Minkus, lighting by Peter Mumford, with set and costume designs by Tim Hatley and video design by Nina Dunn.
Acosta is one of the finest male dancers of the 21st century and his interpretation of Basilio, the young lover from Don Quixote, was a signature role for the Cuban-born dancer.
Jewels | June 15-22, 2024
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
- Jewels by George Balanchine
With its three parts – Emerald, Rubies and Diamonds – George Balanchine‘s Jewels evokes the radiance and architecture of precious stones and is presented in its entirety, giving full expression to the celebrated work.
Each segment of the ballet is set to the music of a different composer and features a distinct choreographic language – Gabriel Fauré for the lyricism of Emeralds, Igor Stravinsky for the jazzy angularity of Rubies and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky for the grandeur of Diamonds.
Featured Photo for The National Ballet of Canada 2023-2024 Season of Tene Ward and Peng-Fie Jiang. Photo by Karolina Kuras. Courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.
