The National Ballet of Canada presents

Giselle

with Christopher Wheeldon’s Polyphonia

Calgary - The National Ballet of Canada is proud to begin Alberta Ballet’s 2007/2008 season with Giselle at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, September 13 - 15, 2007. Single tickets are on sale now; charge by phone at (403) 777-0000 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.

Giselle’s haunting tale of love, betrayal and forgiveness has been called “the ballerina’s Hamlet”. A young peasant girl is overcome with grief and madness by her lover’s deception and, upon her death, is transported into the ghostly world of the Wilis, the spirits of betrayed young women. Giselle has been moving prima ballerinas to put on their tutus for more than 160 years, including The National Ballet of Canada’s Artistic Director Karen Kain who was inspired to dance after seeing a performance in 1959. Giselle features choreography by Peter Wright and the music of Adolphe Adam performed by The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra.

Audiences will also be treated to British-born choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s Polyphonia, featuring a beautiful, bristling, and dynamic tapestry of movement set to ten piano pieces by Gyogy Ligeti.

Wheeldon has established himself as one of the freshest and most imaginative voices to have emerged in contemporary ballet in the past decade. Currently the Resident Choreographer with New York City Ballet, Wheeldon recently announced his decision to create his own dance company, Morphoses, based in New York City. Bridging the gap between classical ballet and more contemporary choreography is Wheeldon’s mission. Hailed by critics as inventive and daring, his works are in the repertoires of ballet companies around the world.

The National Ballet of Canada, a company with more than 60 dancers and its own full symphony orchestra, is Canada's premier dance company and ranks as one of the world's top international ballet companies. Founded in 1951 by English dancer Celia Franca, the company was established as a classical company and is still the only Canadian company to present a full range of traditional full-evening ballet classics.

For more information visit www.national.ballet.ca.

Giselle Performance Dates:

September 10 – 11, 2007 Sid Buckwold Theatre, TCU Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

September 13 – 15, 2007 Southern Alberta Jubilee Theatre Calgary, Alberta

September 18 – 19, 2007 Northern Alberta Jubilee Theatre Edmonton, Alberta

September 21 – 22, 2007 Royal Theatre Victoria, British Columbia

September 24, 2007 The Port Theatre Nanaimo, British Columbia

September 26 – 29, 2007 The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts Vancouver, British Columbia

Polyphonia Performance Dates:

September 10 – 11, 2007 Sid Buchwold Theatre, TCU Place Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

September 13 – 15, 2007 Southern Alberta Jubilee Theatre Calgary, Alberta

September 18 – 19, 2007 Northern Alberta Jubilee Theatre Edmonton, Alberta

September 26 – 29, 2007 The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts Vancouver, British Columbia

Production Credits:

Polyphonia
Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon
Music: Gyorgy Ligeti
Costume Design: Holly Hynes
Lighting Design: Mark Stanley

Polyphonia is made possible by generous gifts from Sandra Simpson and Gretchen & Donald Ross

Giselle
Choreography: Peter Wright after Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot, and Marius Petipa
Music: Adolphe Adam, orchestral reduction by George Crum
Set and Costume Design: Desmond Heeley
Lighting Design: Gil Wechsler

Giselle was produced as a memorial to the late William P. Walker and was made possible through the courtesy of many generous friends of the National Ballet.The 2007 Western Tour is partially funded by the John and Margaret Bahen Fund of the National Ballet of Canada, Endowment Foundation.The National Ballet of Canada's 2007 Western Canada Tour celebrates the Canada Council for the Arts' 50th Anniversary.