By Peter Quanz
With Les Grands Ballets Orchestra
“Be good, be young, be true! Evil is nothing but vanity.”
- Alexandre Dumas fils
Les Grands Ballets and their Artistic Director Ivan Cavallari are delighted to welcome back choreographer Peter Quanz to revisit a French literary staple and sentimental novel par excellence, Alexandre Dumas fils' La Dame aux Camélias. In this realistic novel, Alexandre Dumas fils portrays a heroine of exemplary soulfulness. Based on a true story of passion, this work has been adapted for theater, opera and film since its publication in 1848. Peter Quanz has taken the essence of the novel and conceived a two-act ballet whose narrative unfolds through four tableaux: Love, Sacrifice, Abyss and Passing. The company’s dancers are given magnificent, dramatic and realistic roles.
Set against the backdrop of the 19th-century Parisian bourgeoisie, where wealthy men mingle with courtesans, this tale of impossible love features a mythical couple, the sublime and scandalous Marguerite Gautier and her young lover, Armand Duval. Their relationship is recounted through love letters, sensual embraces and, ultimately, loss – an ideal breeding ground for a sentimental ballet! Quanz's ability to innovate with neo-classical, romantic choreography will offer Montreal audiences a piece of mesmerizing beauty and emotional vulnerability.
The fleeting and fragile beauty of the camellia, with its blossom lasting only a day, inspired costume designer Anne Armit and set designer Michael Gianfrancesco to evoke the essence of Parisian aesthetics and worldliness.
The musical score originated from a collaboration between Peter Quanz and Florian Ziemen,, who conducted composer research and arranged the music. Works by Carl Maria Von Weber and composers from various eras such as Lili Boulanger, Fanny Mendelssohn, and Clara Schumann will be brought to life by Les Grand Ballets Orchestra conducted by Dina Gilbert.
This ensemble comprises 43 highly skilled musicians and soloists. Our orchestra, under the direction of Dina Gilbert, has been playing a major role in the success of Les Grands Ballets for over 30 years.
Prologue
Three couples appear. Embodying Marguerite & Armand, these fated lovers from Alexandre Dumas fils’ La Dame aux Camélias will sequentially evoke the epic’s themes - Love, Sacrifice, and Abyss.
Love
Armand Duval, a young man from the 19th-century Parisian bourgeoisie, falls passionately in love with Marguerite Gautier, a highly admired courtesan patronised by The Duke. Despite societal prejudices and disapproval, true love between Marguerite & Armand ignites. They retreat to the countryside and experience a quiet, simple devotion.
Sacrifice
Mr. Duval, Armand’s father, implores Marguerite to renounce this controversial and scandalous love in order to preserve his son’s reputation. Marguerite acquiesces and betrays Armand.
INTERMISSION
Abyss
Believing that Marguerite has abandoned him, Armand is consumed by desolation and rage. Disillusioned, ostracized by society, and stripped of her love, Marguerite is eclipsed by Olympe, the new favourite of these societal bon-vivants. She falls into a state of emotional distress. In the darkest depths of despair, she experiences a surreal moment of ecstasy and solace.
Passing
The three Marguerite & Armand couples are reunited in death. Nurtured in her ultimate journey by Nanette, her devoted maid, Marguerite succumbs. As Marguerite’s image and words fade into a distant memory of ephemeral beauty, Armand grasps the depth of her devotion, sacrifice, and love.
“Reflecting on Alexandre Dumas fils’ inspirational novel, La Dame aux Camélias, it becomes evident that a choreographer must seek their unique place within its layered and emotional journey. In my interpretation, I’ve sought to encapsulate four emotional tableaux with text distilled from the novel.”
Peter Quanz, choreographer
Latest update made on October 4, 2023. Cast is subject to change up until the start of the performance.
The Narrator
Célestin Boutin (October 19, 21, 26, 27, 28 at 8 p.m.)
Hamilton Nieh (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
The Narrators
Alexandra Eccles, Rose Trahan, Kiara Flavin (October 19, 21, 26, 27, 28 at 8 p.m.)
Tuesday Rain Leduc, Calista Shepheard, Sarah Branch (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Maude Fleury, Sofía González, Carrigan MacDonald (All performances)
Bernard Dubois II, Oscar Lambert, Théodore Poubeau, François Gagné (All performances)
Étienne Delorme, Christian Pforr (October 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.)
Thomas Leprohon, Bernardo Betancor (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Marguerite Gautier and Armand Duval | Love
Rachele Buriassi, Esnel Ramos (October 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.)
Aurora De Mori, Marcel Gutiérrez (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Marguerite Gautier and Armand Duval | Sacrifice
Anya Nesvitaylo, Roddy Doble (October 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.)
Yui Sugawara, Graeme Fuhrman (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Marguerite Gautier and Armand Duval | Abyss
Maude Sabourin, Raphaël Bouchard (October 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.)
Emma Garrau Cima, Célestin Boutin (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Prudence
Vanesa Garcia-Ribala Montoya (October 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.)
Tetyana Martyanova (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Olympe
Anna Ishii (October 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.)
Kiara DeNae Felder (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Gaston
André Santos (October 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.)
Angel Vizcaíno (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Mr. Duval
James Lyttle (October 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.)
Felixovich Morante (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
The Duke
Graeme Fuhrman (October 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.)
James Lyttle (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Society Women
Sarah Branch, Catherine Toupin, Calista Shepheard, Tatiana Lerebours (All performances)
Society Men
Étienne Delorme, Bernardo Betancor, Théodore Poubeau, Oscar Lambert (All performances)
Lovers
Antoine Benjamin Bertran, Felixovich Morante, Hamilton Nieh (All performances)
Ballet dancers
Mai Kono (October 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.)
Alexandra Eccles (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Angel Vizcaíno (October 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.)
Christian Pforr (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Nanette
Sahra Maira (All performances)
The maid
Rose Trahan (October 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.)
Carrigan MacDonald (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Corps de ballet
Alexandra Eccles, Carrigan MacDonald, Thomas Leprohon (October 19, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.)
Anaïs Roy, Rose Trahan, José Losada (October 20 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Calista Shepheard, Maude Fleury, Tatiana Lerebours, Bernard Dubois II, Christian Pforr, Bernardo Betancor, François Gagné, Oscar Lambert, Théodre Poubeau (All performances)
Sofia González, Sarah Branch (October 19, 21, 27, 28 at 8 p.m.)
Tuesday Rain Leduc, Kiara Flavin (October 20 and 26 at 8 p.m. and October 28 at 2 p.m.)
Violins I
Veronica Thomas, solo
Céline Arcand, associate
Soo Gyeong Lee
Daniel Godin
Frédéric Lefebvre
Valérie Belzile
Émilie Rabaraona
Line Deneault
Daphnée S-Richard
Félix Savignac
Violins II
Solange Bouchard, solo
Élise Lortie, assistant
Ragnhild Hettema
Jean Ai Seow
Natalia Kononova
Anne Saint-Cyr
Josiane Breault
Marie-Claude Massé
Altos
Véronique Potvin, solo
Catherine Arsenault, assistant
Élisa Boudreau
Bojana Milinov
Mihaela Tistu
Camille Mireault-Lalancette
Cellos
Jeanne de Chantal Marcil, solo
Carla Antoun, assistant
Monika Risi
Laurence Leclerc
Jacob Auclair-Fortier
Vincent Bergeron
Double basses
Marc Denis, solo
Richard Capolla, assistant
Pierre Pépin
Anaïs Vigeant
Flutes
Ariane Brisson, solo
Josée Poirier
Jean-Philippe Tanguay + piccolo
Oboes
Kirsten Zander, solo
Andréanne Chartier Labrecque
David Jomphe, ca
Clarinets
Zaven Zakarian, solo
Mark Simons
François Martel, bass
Bassoons
Lise Millet, solo
Alain Thibault
Carmelle Préfontaine, contra
Horns
Jocelyn Veilleux, solo
Étienne Coulombe
Lyne Santamaria
Alice Lane Lépine
Trumpets
Benjamin Raymond, solo
Tazmyn Eddy
Aura West
Trombones
Martin Ringuette, solo
Renaud Gratton
Hugo Bégin, bass
Tuba
Scott Cheyne, solo
Timbal
François St-Jean, solo
Percussion
Robert Slapcoff, solo
Catherine Meunier
Harp
Annabelle Renzo, solo
Piano
Rosalie Asselin, solo
Celesta
Karine Betournay, solo
Personnel Manager
Richard Capolla
ABOUT THE SHOW
Duration
Act I: 65 minutes
Intermission: 20 minutes
Act II: 45 minutes
LES GRANDS BALLETS
Set Design and Production
Yves Nicol Productions, Showtex, Rose Brand, Nicheo
Les Grands Ballets Costumes Workshop
Head of Wardrobe: Mélanie Ferrero
Assistant-Head Wardrobe: Louisanne Lamarre
Wardrobe Clerk: Christelle Deforceville
Buyer: Julie Pelletier
Project Manager – Wardrobe: Marie-Hélène Gravel
Main Cutter: Keli Alexandre
First-Assistant-Cutter: Jessica Meghan Marcotte
Interim Wardrobe Assistant: Eve Plamondon
Wardrobe Assistants: Emilie Tremblay Lévesque, Emilie Martineau
Cutters-Seamsters: Daniel Baudet, Sebastian Bravo, Mari-Philippe Comeau
Seamstresses: Eve Boisvert, Anabel Caron, Cecilia Meza, Isabelle St-Gelais, Hélène Falardeau, Zeina Khalife, Yeelen Stanislas, Anne-Marie Rostaing, Olena Shkoda, Camille Lefresne, Agathe Baudry, Ange Bledja Kouassi, Slimane Henni, Silvana Fernandez, Francine Viens, Natalie Talbot, Catherine Brodeur, Laurence Binette
Trainee: Ariane Forest
External artisans
Textile Artists: Valérie Delacroix, Katherine Paré
Head Hair Dresser: Stéphanie Bourgault
Hair Dresser: Ivana Gentile
Atelier Julie Sauriol
Cutter: Julie Sauriol
Seamstresses: Cyrille Brin-Delisle, Catherine Veri, Marion Taillard-Carrez
Trainee: Lorena Vargas Medina
Atelier Dominique Dubé
Head of Wardrobe: Dominique Dubé
Cutter: Michel Savoie
Cutter and Seamstress: Martine Dubé
Cutter: Pierre Dextrase
Seamstresses: Cesar Taibo, Marie-Claude Jalbert, Midori Smith-Wong, Salma Bensaifi, Evelyne Dupuis, Geneviève Bouchard
Trainee: Justine Lemire
Concerto for String Orchestra, Movement 2, Andante composed by Grażyna Bacewicz
Used by arrangement with European American Music Distributors Company, Canadian and U.S. agent for Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne
Ciel d'hiver composed by Kaija Saariaho presented under license by G.Schirmer, on behalf of Chester Music Ltd. copyright owner
D’un matin de printemps and D'un soir triste composed by Lili Boulanger (Published by Clincton F. Niewer)
Symphony No. 1, 2nd movement composed by Louise Farrenc, with permission from Florian Noetzel Verlag GmbH
Notturno in G Minor composed by Fanny Mendelssohn, orchestrated by Florian Ziemen
Romance in A Minor composed by Clara Schumann, orchestrated by Florian Ziemen
