GET IMMERSED IN SWAN LAKE
(Winnipeg, Manitoba - February 24, 2010)
 After four seasons, Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet brings back the timeless ballet Swan Lake to the Centennial Concert Hall March 10 - 14. This highly popular classical ballet has been performed around the world for over 130 years and first made its way into the RWB's repertoire in 1987. This version of Swan Lake is based on the choreography of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. The sets and costumes were created by Peter Farmer, one of England's foremost ballet designers, with lighting designed by Nicholas Cernovitch.
Swan Lake is the first of Tchaikovsky's three full-lengths ballets, followed by Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty. Despite a surprisingly unsuccessful debut in Russia in 1877, its 1895 version choreographed by Petipa and Ivanov is now one of the most widely-known and popular classical ballets.
The story of Swan Lake introduces us to Odette, a princess-turned-swan under the spell of the evil Baron von Rothbart. With just a few short hours each night to enjoy as a human, Odette finds herself in love with Prince Siegfried, who vows to rescue her. But von Rothbart has something else in mind when he transforms his daughter Odile to look like Odette, in an attempt to fool the prince and come between him and his beloved.
This season's performance will feature Principal Dancer Vanessa Lawson, and Second Soloists Amanda Green and Jo-Ann Sundermeier in the role of Odette/Odile alongside the role of Prince Siegfried danced by Principal Dancers Gael Lambiotte and Reyneris Reyes, and Soloist Alexander Gamayunov. The role of Baron von Rothbart will be performed by Principal Dancer Jaime Vargas and Corps de Ballet member Robert Pleschke.
Featured with the RWB in the Mazurka scene will be Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. Based in Winnipeg, this Ukrainian dance group is renowned worldwide for its passionate and energetic performances.
Swan Lake will be performed to live accompaniment by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, conducted by RWB Music Director & Conductor Tadeusz Biernacki. Behind the Scenes videos: click for behind the scenes videos of Swan Lake. New episodes will be posted weekly.
Contact: Heather Saxton, RWB Publicity Manager
(204) 957-3447
hsaxton@rwb.org
pdf download
Photo: Vanessa Lawson, Gael Lambiotte photo: David Cooper  TOUR TAKES RWB TO THE OLYMPICS
(Winnipeg, Manitoba - January 25, 2010)
Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet started a five week tour today that will run until February 27. The tour makes stops in Naples and Clearwater, Florida; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Tyler and College Station, Texas; Tucson, Arizona; Victoria and Vancouver British Columbia; and Edmonton, Calgary and Medicine Hat, Alberta. Performances on this tour include Val Caniparoli's A Cinderella Story and Moulin Rouge - The Ballet with the highlight of the tour being two special performances of Hikarizatto and As Above, So Below as part Dance Canada Dance for the 2010 Cultural Olympiad in Vancouver.
A Cinderella Story
The United States tour runs from January 25 - February 6 with six performances of Val Caniparoli's A Cinderella Story. This classic fairy tale with a 1950's groove features Ron Paley's liquid jazz arrangements of Richard Rodgers' classic music. Since its Winnipeg premiere in 2004, the ballet has been performed across Canada to fabulous reviews. A visual treat from beginning to end, the ballet conveys a witty tongue-in-cheek attitude that will have audience members captivated from the start.
Moulin Rouge - The Ballet
The Company will bring Moulin Rouge - The Ballet to Victoria from Feb 9 - 11 before the RWB heads to the Olympics. The Moulin Rouge - The Ballet tour will resume with performances in Edmonton, Calgary and Medicine Hat from February 19 - 27. In this ballet, Matthew and Nathalie are drawn to Paris by the city's passion and tempt the fates as they seek love and destiny in the infamous cabaret.
Dance Canada Dance
On February 13 and 14 in Vancouver, Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet will perform with The National Ballet of Canada in Dance Canada Dance as part of the 2010 Cultural Olympiad. For this Olympic-commissioned program the RWB will perform Itzik Galili's Hikarizatto and will also dance Mark Godden's As Above, So Below with National Ballet Principal Dancers Sonia Rodriguez and Piotr Stanczyk. Also included in the performance is 24 Preludes by Chopin by The National Ballet.
The RWB acknowledges the support of the Canadian Council for the Arts for this tour. For A Cinderella Story, the RWB acknowledges the generous support of The Asper Foundation; The Winnipeg Foundation; The Cipryk Family; Gery Gray; James Morden; Martin Weinberg & Family. For Moulin Rouge - The Ballet, the RWB acknowledges the generous support Angela B. Ross. Make-up and make-up designs for Moulin Rouge - The Ballet are provided by M.A.C. Make-up.
Contact: Heather Saxton, RWB Publicity Manager
(204) 957-3447
hsaxton@rwb.org
pdf download
Photo: RWB in Hikarizatto Photo by: Bruce Monk. RWB NUTCRACKER CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
(Winnipeg, Manitoba - December 2, 2009)
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet celebrates 10 years of its Canadian version of Nutcracker. This season, the holiday classic will be performed at the Centennial Concert Hall from December 19 - 29.
Over the past ten years, Nutcracker has become a beloved Winnipeg family tradition during the holiday season as it shepherds in the Christmas spirit with family and friends and conjures up memories of Christmas past and present. Set on the prairies in 1913, where young Clara dreams of a magical world that enchants and delights with dancing snowflakes, battling mice and a mischievous bear, it speaks to the child in everyone. Nutcracker is a celebration of culture, family, music and above all, dance.
Principal Dancer Vanessa Lawson, Soloist Jennifer Welsman, Second Soloists Amanda Green and Jo-Ann Sundermeier, and Corps de Ballet member Maureya Lebowitz will perform the role of Clara, while Principal Dancers Gael Lambiotte and Reyneris Reyes, and Soloists Dmitri Dovgoselets, Alexander Gamayunov and Yosuke Mino dance the Nutcracker Prince. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker is co-choreographed by Galina Yordanova and Nina Menon. Original scenic design is by Brian Perchaluk. Original costume designs are by Paul Daigle. Lighting Design is by Michael J. Whitfield.
The History
Nutcracker began with Nussknacker und Mausekonig (Nutcracker and the King of Mice), a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann. With music by composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the original ballet version called Casse-Noisette was choreographed in 1882 initially by Marius Petipa and taken over by Lev Ivanov after Petipa fell ill. The first production was performed at the Maryinsky Theatre. The first full-length production performed in North America premiered in 1944 by the San Francisco Ballet, choreographed by Willam Christensen. Sir Frederick Ashton choreographed a two-act versionthat contributed to the Nutcracker’s success on this side of the Atlantic. In 1954, George Balanchine unveiled his version with the New York City Ballet and a Christmas tradition began.
In 1999, Galina Yordanova and Nina Menon choreographed the RWB’s current version of Nutcracker (previously, the Company had been performing John Neumeier’s version since 1972).
The Choreographers
Galina Yordanova worked with the RWB School and Company as a teacher and rehearsal mistress until June 2007. She has been particularly involved in the RWB’s productions of Swan Lake, La Bayadere, Act II, and The Sleeping Beauty.
Nina Menon was the RWB’s Resident Choreographer from 1998 to 2000. A former RWB dancer, Ms Menon left the Company in 1995 to pursue choreography full-time. The ballets she has choreographed for the RWB include La Soif, Drunken Butterflies, Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White and The Gitagovinda.
Walk-on Roles
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet is inviting Winnipeggers to nominate a hero in their lives to be part of this year’s Nutcracker. Send us a story about why someone in your life deserves to be in Nutcracker. Include details about why this person is your hero and why you think they would be a good candidate for a walk-on role in Nutcracker. Also include show date they are available for, measurements for costuming and age. Nominees must be 18 years or older to qualify. The winners will perform a walk-on role for one performance of Nutcracker and be required to attend a rehearsal and a costume fitting. Winners will also be given a pair of tickets to the show they are performing in. Send your nominations to communication@rwb.org by December 11.
Behind the Scenes Videos
Visit: http://www.rwb.org/WhatsOn/Winnipeg/Nutcracker/BehindtheScenes.aspx for behind the scenes videos of Nutcracker. New episodes will be posted every few days.
Events
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet will be hosting a storybook reading of Nutcracker. Former RWB soloist CindyMarie Small will read E.T.A Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker at McNally Robinson Grant Park. Filbert the Nutcracker Bear will also be in attendance. The storybook reading will take place Sunday December 13th at 1 pm. Admission is free.
Winnipeg audiences are invited to a variety of activities before and after the RWB’s performances of Nutcracker. Before every performance, children are invited to visit the special Nutcracker colouring section on the Piano Nobile. Following the Sunday, December 20 matinee, audience members may “Meet the Dancers” on the Piano Nobile, where RWB dancers will answer questions and sign autographs. A backstage tour with RWB Stage Manager Ingrid Kottke will unveil the behind the scenes magic following the Wednesday, December 23 performance. Festive entertainment will take place in the Concert Hall lobby and Filbert will be on hand before every performance and during intermission.
Great seats are available and are now on sale at the RWB Customer Service Office at 380 Graham Avenue or by calling (204) 956-2792 or 1-800-667-4792. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling (204) 253-ARTS (2787).
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is proud to acknowledge Nutcracker Premier Sponsor Great-West Life for their generous support. The RWB also wishes to acknowledge the support of its funders: Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council, the Winnipeg Arts Council and Arts Stabilization Manitoba.
RWB Contact: Heather Saxton, RWB Publicity Manager
(204) 957-3447
hsaxton@rwb.org
CALENDAR LISTING
WHAT: RWB’s Nutcracker
WHEN: December 19, 20, 27, 29 2:00 PM
December 22, 23, 28 7:00 PM
WHERE: Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main Street
TICKETS: Tickets range from $25 - $88
Call the RWB Customer Service Office at 956 - 2792
Call Ticketmaster at 253 - ARTS (2787)
Outside Winnipeg, call 1-800-667- 4792
or purchase tickets online at www.ticketmaster.ca
Group offers are available through the RWB at (204) 957-3494.
WINNIPEG DESIGNER HILARY DRUXMAN LAUNCHES RWB INSPIRED COLLECTION
(Winnipeg, Manitoba – November 27, 2009)
In celebration of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s 70th anniversary, Winnipeg-based designer Hilary Druxman has created a unique jewelry line inspired by the world renowned ballet company. The new line was officially launched last night at an exclusive event held at the Hilary Druxman store in the Exchange District.
Designed and manufactured at Hilary Druxman Inc’s studio in Winnipeg, each piece in the RWB Collection has been hand-crafted by Hilary’s talented team of craftsmen and manufacturers. The new collection will be on sale starting November 27th at the Hilary Druxman store in Winnipeg located at 258 McDermot Avenue and online at http://www.hilarydruxman.com/philanthropy.asp. Pieces include pins and necklaces in a variety of sizes. Prices for the collection range from $20 to $40.
“The RWB is a world class organization. They attract the best dancers from all over the world. We are privileged to have them in our city and I am inspired by every performance. It was an honour to design a piece for their 70th anniversary”, says Hilary Druxman.
The partnership between the RWB and Hilary Druxman is also a part of Druxman’s philanthropy initiatives. Fifty percent of the proceeds from each item purchased from the RWB anniversary collection will go towards the David Moroni School Endowment Fund which supports the RWB School Professional Division.
About the David Moroni School Endowment Fund
Named after the Professional Division’s founding director, the David Moroni School Endowment Fund has been established with a $5 million goal to ensure the long term health and stability of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division. Income generated from the Fund will allow for planned growth and establish an enhanced Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division that can compete with the finest schools worldwide.
Once fully endowed, the David Moroni School Endowment Fund will provide funds directed towards: providing students of all levels with increased opportunities to work with eminent guest teachers and choreographers, acquiring new and established classical and contemporary repertoire, exchanges for students and teachers with other international ballet schools and attendance at major international competitions and conferences. For more information or to make a donation visit www.rwb.org/support/david.html
About Hilary Druxman
Winnipeg, Canada-based Hilary Druxman creates jewelry that is modern in design and approach. Each handcrafted piece in the Hilary Druxman Collection is designed to be multi-occasional and made to compliment the other. The result is a unique combination of accessible luxury: easy to wear handcrafted jewelry with a high style quotient.
Since first establishing Hilary Druxman Design in 1994, Hilary’s designs have caught the attention of the fashion media and have been featured in editorial and advertising sides of magazines, film and television. Most recently, Hilary designed private collections for Saks Fifth Avenue, Banana Republic and Nieman Marcus.
All Hilary Druxman jewelry is designed and manufactured at Hilary Druxman Inc's studio in Winnipeg. Hilary credits her company's fast growing success to her talented team of craftsmen and manufacturers, and to the tremendous loyalty of Hilary Druxman Inc's customers. The Hilary Druxman Collection is sold in over 200 boutiques in Canada, the US and the UK .
RWB Contact: Heather Saxton, RWB Publicity Manager
(204) 957-3447
hsaxton@rwb.org
Hilary Druxman Contact: Christa Mariash
(204) 779-1322
christa@hilarydruxman.com
pdf download RWB ANNOUNCES NEW ROSTER FOR 70TH SEASON
(Winnipeg, Manitoba; August 20, 2009)
André Lewis, Artistic Director of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, has announced the roster for the Company’s 70th anniversary season. Returning to the RWB this season as principal dancer is Reyneris Reyes. Two dancers also were promoted from within the Company: Amar Dhaliwal has been promoted from the corps de ballet to second soloist and Liam Caines from an apprentice to the corps de ballet. RWB School graduate Sarah Davey also joins the RWB as apprentice.
Reyneris Reyes began his dance training at the Vocational School of Art in Pinar de Rio, Cuba and continued at the National Ballet School in Havana. He joined the National Ballet of Cuba in 1993 where he danced until 1998, becoming a principal dancer his final year. Reyes first joined Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1999 as a soloist and was promoted to principal dancer in 2002. He left the Company in 2004 to join Boston Ballet where he danced until 2007. His repertory in Winnipeg includes George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, Mauricio Wainrot’s Carmina Burana, Albrecht in Peter Wright’s Giselle, and Bluebird in The Sleeping Beauty. Most recently, Reyes returned to the RWB as a guest artist in the 2008/09 season and danced the lead role of Romeo in Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo & Juliet opposite Maureya Lebowitz.
Reyes has toured extensively throughout Europe, the United States and Latin America. He is the recipient of the Cuban National Arts Medal, the highest artistic honour in Cuba.
Amar Dhaliwal comes from Sherwood Park, Alberta, where he began his training as a dancer. He is a graduate of the RWB School Professional Division and became anapprentice with the Company upon graduation and a member of the corps de ballet for the 2005/06 season. Since joining the RWB he has performed in various ballets including Swan Lake, Rodeo, The Sleeping Beauty, Mauricio Wainrot’s Carmina Burana and The Messiah, Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo & Juliet, Val Caniparoli’s A Cinderella Story, and Mark Godden’s The Magic Flute. In 2006, Dhaliwal was in the original cast of Jorden Morris’ Peter Pan, playing a Pirate. A role that Dhaliwal has particularly enjoyed performing is Jonathan Harker in Mark Godden’s Dracula.
Originally from Kingston, New Brunswick, Liam Caines began dancing at the age of eight at the Port City Dance Academy in Saint John. In 2003, he started training at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division, graduating three years later. Caines joined the RWB Company as an apprentice for the 2007/08 season. Some of the ballets he has performed in as an apprentice include Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Serenade, Peter Pan, Romeo & Juliet, Hikarizatto, Mauricio Wainrot’s Carmina Burana and the world premiere of Wainrot’s Carmen, The Passion. Caines is currently the host of a video blog series about the making of the RWB’s Moulin Rouge – The Ballet which is available on the RWB’s website.
A native of Waterdown, Ontario, Sarah Davey graduated from the RWB School Professional Division in 2007. She has been training in the School’s Aspirant Program since graduation and has performed with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet in several ballets including Concerto Barocco, Serenade, The Four Temperaments, Hikarizatto, The Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan. Davey also took part in the Banff Centre’s professional dancer program in the summer of 2008 where she performed Divertimento #15 and Prefigured Effect by Robert Glumbek.
The RWB opens its 70th anniversary season October 21 – 25 with the premiere of Moulin Rouge – The Ballet. Single tickets for this new ballet are currently available
through the RWB Customer Service Office or through Ticketmaster. Single tickets for the rest of the RWB's 70th season will go on sale September 8.
Contact: Heather Saxton, RWB Publicity Manager
(204) 957-3447
hsaxton@rwb.org
pdf download RWB FIRST MOULIN ROUGE TOUR A GREAT SUCCESS
(November 26, 2009; Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet opened its touring season with 11 performances of Moulin Rouge - The Ballet in Brandon, Regina, Saskatoon, Kelowna and Vancouver. The production, which closed in Vancouver on Sunday, played to 86% houses with over 15,000 people in attendance - one show and 844 people in Brandon; one show and 1,797 people in Regina; two shows and 3,138 people in Saskatoon; two shows and 1,622 people in Kelowna; and five show and 7,877 people in Vancouver. Vancouver ticket sales for the production were in such demand that an extra show was added to the four shows that were originally scheduled.
Janet Smith from Vancouver’s Georgia Straight wrote: “With its giant, lit-up windmill, whipsawing cancans, and rainbow-ruffled costumes, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Moulin Rouge-The Ballet certainly has enough eye candy to please the crowds packing the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts.”
Reviewing for the Kelowna Daily Courier, Glenna Turnball wrote: “After 10 years of pining for the RWB to return to Kelowna, Moulin Rouge was well worth waiting for.”
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet will take Moulin Rouge - The Ballet on the road again in February and March with performances Victoria, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Calgary and Ottawa. The RWB performs again in Winnipeg with the return of Nutcracker from December 19 - 29 at the Centennial Concert Hall.
Contact: Heather Saxton, RWB Publicity Manager
(204) 957-3447
hsaxton@rwb.org
pdf download
Moulin Rouge – The Ballet is in the spirit of the Moulin Rouge of Paris, Moulin Rouge® is a registered trademark of Moulin Rouge S.A.
RWB KICKS OFF 70TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON
(Winnipeg, Manitoba - August 12, 2009)
Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet is pleased to announce that the 70th anniversary season will officially launch on Wednesday, September 2 at 12:00 pm at the Cancan Kickoff event in conjunction with the Out to Lunch series presented by the Winnipeg Downtown Biz. In the spirit of the RWB's season opener Moulin Rouge - The Ballet, the RWB is asking the Winnipeg community to participate in a huge Cancan kick line for the event with the staff and dancers of the RWB. The Cancan Kickoff will be the first in a series of activities and events planned for the RWB's anniversary season.
The Cancan Kickoff will take place in the outdoor courtyard of the Manitoba Hydro building on the corner of Edmonton Street and Graham Avenue from 12:00 to 1:00 pm on Wednesday September 2. Special guests, musicians from the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra will provide the music for the event, playing traditional French Cancan music as well as a selection of other pieces. Following the dancing portion, guests will be invited to enjoy cupcakes as we celebrate the RWB's birthday.
Bring a can and do the Cancan! In addition to celebrating the 70th anniversary, the RWB will be supporting Winnipeg Harvest at the event by asking everyone to bring a non- perishable food item. A non-profit, community based organization, last year Winnipeg Harvest distributed over 9.8 million pounds of food to over 320 Member Agencies across Manitoba, including food banks, soup kitchens, youth programs and drop-in-centres. Food donations can be placed in the collection bins on-site at the event.
Contact: Heather Saxton, RWB Publicity Manager
(204) 957-3447
hsaxton@rwb.org
pdf download
Moulin Rouge – The Ballet is in the spirit of the Moulin Rouge of Paris, Moulin Rouge® is a registered trademark of Moulin Rouge S.A.
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