The Impact of Your Support in 2019/20

The 2019/20 season brought continued success for The National Ballet of Canada both artistically and at the box office, with several important premieres and international touring occurring alongside beautiful presentations of cherished classics. Thanks to your generosity, the company shone in two world premieres by renowned Canadian choreographers: Robert Binet’s Orpheus Alive and Crystal Pite’s Angels’ Atlas. These bold new productions were lauded by reviewers and audiences. They showcased exciting collaborations with celebrated contemporary artists. Grammy-nominated composer Missy Mazzoli composed an original score for Robert Binet’s Orpheus Alive, her first ever for ballet. Crystal Pite’s multi-sensory collaboration with composer Owen Belton and visual designers Jay Gower Taylor and Tom Visser for Angels’ Atlas drew wonder and praise from the artistic community. The National Ballet’s commission of Angels’ Atlas led the dance division in the 2020 Dora Mavor Moore Awards, with Crystal winning Outstanding Original Choreography and Jay Gower Taylor winning Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design. The production was also nominated for Outstanding Production, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble, and Outstanding Original Sound Composition. Robert Binet’s Orpheus Alive received a 2020 Dora Mavor Moore nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Design for designer Hyemi Shin. Greta Hodgkinson also received a Dora nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Individual for her performances in Marguerite and Armand, a rarely performed ballet and a special acquisition for her farewell performances.

The triple-bill of Angels’ Atlas with Chroma & Marguerite and Armand exceeded box office projections and saw the biggest attendance for a mixed programme in 13 years with 14,532 in attendance. Due to its popularity and profound relevance to our time, Angels’ Atlas is currently slated to be performed during the National Ballet’s 2021/22 season.

In January of 2020 the dancers experienced triumph on the world stage as the company toured to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. to perform Rudolf Nureyev’s The Sleeping Beauty and a triple bill of works by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián and Alexei Ratmansky. Both programmes were met with critical acclaim and standing ovations. In its review of the company’s performances, The Washington Post stated, “This is a company with talent to burn, where technique is first-rate and form is polished. And on top of that, the physical strengths do not come at the expense of charm and appeal. That’s a tough package to deliver.”

Although the run of Romeo and Juliet at the Four Seasons Centre was cut short due to COVID-19, in the performances that were given, Alexei Ratmansky’s production of the classic romance once again delighted audiences and gave our dancers the opportunity to connect with audiences in a number of technically and artistically challenging roles. Anticipation and excitement are building for the world premiere of Swan Lake, directed and staged by Karen Kain. Although we will have to wait until the 2021/22 season for the opening, the ballet promises to be a landmark production and a gorgeous achievement marking the end of Karen’s stellar career at the National Ballet.

None of these achievements at home or on the international stage would be possible without the strategic pursuit of new productions supported by The Producers’ Circle. You have contributed $1.1 million in the past year alone, providing an essential foundation for the company’s creative growth. In addition, eight members stepped forward this season to provide underwriting support for Orpheus Alive, Angels’ Atlas and Swan Lake, for an additional $1.25 million in funding for new work. Finally, we would like to extend special thanks to members Ira Gluskin and Maxine Granovsky Gluskin, who stepped in at a crucial moment to provide much-needed funding for Angels’ Atlas, just weeks before the ballet had its premiere. Thank you all for your leadership in bringing this spectacular production to life.

We are truly humbled by the extraordinary and steadfast generosity shown by the entire Producers’ Circle. Your partnership has been essential to our ability to present a deeply impactful season in the face of unprecedented challenges. Thank you for your investment in the National Ballet’s vision for artistic excellence, creativity and community.