Haglund's Heel

observations 4-28

Veronika Part is spending a couple of months guesting at the Royal New Zealand Ballet. She'll be performing in Balanchine's Divertimento No. 15 as well as in some Jiří Kylián work. We can't think of anyone who would look more beautiful in the yellow Karinska tutu.

 

 

observations 11-29

Bows - Abrera, Seo, Teuscher, Bolle in Apollo with the LA Phil and Dudamel last night.

We need to see this in New York.

This spring.

At least once.

Period.

Grazie al I Bollerini Fan Club per questo video. Dobbiamo vedere questo spettacolo a New York questa primavera. Aiutaci per favore.

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The Royal Winnipeg Ballet will tour its acclaimed production of Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation throughout Canada this winter including a stop in Toronto on February 5th and 6th. Choreographer Mark Godden's inspiration for the ballet came from Canada's infamous Residential Schools for its First Nations people in which the children were forcibly assimilated into the mainstream and suffered horrific treatment. See our previous coverage here and here.

Last week the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra released a CD of the music from the ballet which features Christos Hatzis' stirring composition. Hatzis used classical, jazz, aboriginal, DJ scratch, throat singing by Tanya Tagaq, and contributions from The Northern Cree Singers. It's available on iTunes. It is a fantastic collaboration of forms.

–– Hello, Lincoln Center Festival?

–– We need to see this, too.

 

Royal Winnipeg Ballet - survivors in the audience

Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation may be the most important dance mounted by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in its illustrious 75 year history.   – Robert Enright, CBC News

At last evening's premiere of RWB's new full length production based on Canada's grim past use of residential schools in order to force assimilation of its First Nations children, there were survivors of the system in the audience. One survivor indicated he knew little about ballet but understood and was moved by what was being portrayed on the stage.

Going Home Star is what Native Canadian's called the North Star which they used to guide them home. Truth and Reconciliation refers to the Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission founded in 2008 to uncover the truth about the school system which tore First Nations children from their homes and led to the abuse and death of thousands.

From CBC News:

 

Our earlier report on RWB's 75th Anniversary season.

 

Royal Winnipeg Ballet celebrates its 75th year

Royal Winnipeg Ballet celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year with an ambitious season devoted to classical and original contemporary works. The company, which was established in 1939, received the first Royal charter granted by Queen Elizabeth II in the Commonwealth.

The 75th Anniversary year opens on October 1st with the premiere of a new full-length narrative ballet, Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation, by Mark Goddon with music by Christos Hatzis. Based on a story by novelist Joseph Boydon, Going Home Star looks at some of the human consequences of the period in Canadian history during which the government forcibly assimilated its aboriginal, First Nations children into the public school system through compulsory attendance at day schools and residential schools.

In conjunction with the assimilation process, children were separated from their families, not permitted to speak their own language, practice their own religion, or perform their native dances and songs. Thousands of children died from abuse and neglect in the residential schools which operated from 1876 to 1996.

In 2008, the Canadian government established the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission to uncover the truth about the schools' operations. Boydon used the Commission’s findings as inspiration for his story.

Following are two brief clips lifted from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s website. The first is author Joseph Boydon speaking about this period of history and how Canada is dealing with it today. The second clip shows rehearsal footage of Goddon’s ballet. It all seems very interesting. Maybe some of our favorite Canadian Haglund’eelers will file a report next week.

 

 

 

White Act

photo by Jessica Gentes

This is what Manitoba looks like this week where Jared Matthews will debut as Albrecht in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's production of Giselle on March 7th opposite the company's principal ballerina, Vanessa Lawson.  The picture is off of the CTV.ca website which today includes an interview with Ms. Lawson who expressed her enthusiasm for Jared's Albrecht and praised his abilities as an amazing partner and a very strong artist.  Jared will dance the role of Albrecht in ABT's Giselle for the first time in Chicago with the debuting and miraculous Yuriko Kajiya on March 25th.  Here's hoping that the beautiful snow stays in Manitoba and doesn't mess with Haglund's travel, brunch, and ballet plans on the 25th.

Listen up, Chicago!  Sunday March 25th is going to be a historic Giselle that you will not want to miss - the first performance of what could well be the Giselle pairing that will shortly shoot to the top of the hot ticket list everywhere ABT goes.  Take a hint from the many people who are making the trip from New York to Chicago just to see this performance and do not miss it!

 

Jared Matthews will debut as Albrecht in Canada!

Too exciting!

Jared Matthews will debut as Albrecht in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's opening night of Giselle on March 7th at Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg MB.  He is scheduled to dance opposite RWB principal Vanessa Lawson who will be dancing for the first time this season - having been out with a knee injury, but is now recovered.

Good luck, Jared!  Cannot wait for Chicago!