Choreographer Rudi van Dantzig’s Vision of the Star-Crossed Lovers is a Definitive Masterpiece of the Classical Ballet Canon
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet brings a timeless tale of love, loyalty, and fate to Calgary with choreographer Rudi van Dantzig’s exquisite classical ballet Romeo + Juliet, January 17 to 19, 2014 at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. The grand romantic work sets Shakespeare’s tale to a gorgeous Prokofiev score and highlights the impeccable classical technique of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
"Rudi van Dantzig was an artist of the rarest caliber; a writer, dancer, and choreographer, whose aesthetic instincts were matched only by his strong opinions and political voice," says André Lewis, Artistic Director. "Though no longer with
us, he left behind a great legacy of works including this stunning production
of Romeo + Juliet. Created for the Dutch National Ballet (where he was
Artistic Director), his vision of the Bard’s story is at once poetic, exciting,
and deeply romantic."
Recognized alongside Giselle, Swan Lake, and Sleeping
Beauty as one of the great classical ballets, Romeo + Juliet’s
world-premiere was given by the Kirov Ballet in 1938. Set to a powerful and
profound score by Sergei Prokofiev, Rudi van Dantzig was among the first
non-Russian creators to develop new choreography for the work. His version was
first performed by the Dutch National Ballet in 1967 and later given its Canadian
premiere by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1981.
Its timeless narrative stays faithful to Shakespeare’s
version, beginning with a feuding clash between the Capulets and Montagues,
progressing to the young lovers meeting at a grand ball, and the sealing of
their fate in the unforgettable balcony scene. Their love becomes their
undoing, as events and fate conspire toward a tragic, yet breathtakingly
romantic, end.
Dantzig’s production will transport audiences to 16th
century Verona with its opulent costumes and beautifully crafted set pieces
reminiscent of urbane Renaissance Italy. The visually spectacular production
has become one of the crown jewels of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s repertoire
and an audience favourite in the company’s hometown.
In particular, the opportunity to dance the role of
Juliet has become a rite of passage for female members of the company, having
been previously performed by a line of luminaires including Evelyn Hart, Tara
Birtwhistle, and Vanessa Lawson. Casting for Romeo + Juliet’s Calgary
2014 premiere will be announced this fall.
The production team for Romeo + Juliet includes
scenery & costume design by Toer van Schayk and lighting design by Nicholas
Cernovitch.
CALGARY EARLY BIRD OFFER
To celebrate the announcement of Romeo + Juliet in
Calgary, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet is extending special on-sale pricing –
available for a limited time only.
From Friday, August 9 at 10am until Sunday, August 18
at midnight, patrons will enjoy 25% off tickets purchased in sections A,
B & C.*
Regular priced tickets go on-sale 10am, Monday, August 19.
All tickets are available through Ticketmaster outlets, online at
http://www.ticketmaster.ca/
or call toll-free 1-855-985-ARTS (2787).
* Limit of four tickets per person.
Service fees not included. No cash value. Cannot be combined with any other
offer.
About Canada’s Royal
Winnipeg Ballet (http://www.rwb.org/)
Founded in 1939, Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet holds the double
distinction of being Canada’s premier ballet company and the longest
continuously operating ballet company in North America. Versatility, technical
excellence and a captivating style are the trademarks of Canada’s Royal
Winnipeg Ballet, qualities that have garnered both critical and audience
acclaim. RWB’s superlative standards keep the Company in demand around the
globe as it presents more than 150 performances every season across Canada and
in the United States, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Russia, Japan,
Asia and Mexico. Under the artistic direction of André
Lewis for more than fifteen years, the Company is said to have never looked
more resplendent, more assured, and more ravishing.