Mixed bill by George Balanchine, Ginette Laurin, James Kudelka and Jean Grand-Maître
In tribute to the boldness and visionary spirit of Ludmilla Chiriaeff, whose 100th birth anniversary we celebrate in 2024. As an undisputed pioneer of dance in Canada, she founded Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in 1957 and the École supérieure de ballet du Québec in 1966.
This program showcases the works of renowned artists who have been influenced by or have crossed path with the woman affectionately known as Madame. Alongside a creation by Jean Grand-Maître, three other pieces by choreographers James Kudelka, George Balanchine, and Ginette Laurin grace this show, offering a vibrant exploration of Ludmilla's legacy.
Choreography: George Balanchine
Music: Paul Hindemith
George Balanchine, the celebrated choreographer and co-founder of the New York City Ballet, left an indelible mark on Chiriaeff and the post-war dance era. His 1946 creation, The Four Temperaments, is a neo-classical masterpiece. Set to music composed by Paul Hindemith, the choreography dissects the four human character traits derived from ancient medical humorism: Melancholic, Sanguine, Choleric, and Phlegmatic. The dancers' technical precision, coupled with the expressive and precise body language and minimalist scenography, creates a visually captivating spectacle.
Choreography: Ginette Laurin
Music: Andreas Burckhardt
Costumes: Ginette Laurin and Mélanie Ferrero
Lighting: Pierre Lavoie
Ginette Laurin, an esteemed Quebec choreographer and founder of O Vertigo, has profoundly influenced Montreal's contemporary dance landscape with her innovative works. Among them, Le Funambule, a seminal piece from 1998 created for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, stands out for its audacious melding of pointe dancing and theater. In this performance, Ginette Laurin stretches the boundaries of the dancers' bodily expression, orchestrating a compelling quest for balance and a deep contemplation of human fragility.
Choreography: James Kudelka
Music: Sergei Prokofiev
Costumes: Denis Lavoie
Lighting: Sonoyo Nishikawa
James Kudelka revives Désir, a pivotal piece in the repertoire of Les Grands Ballets, first performed in 1991. Merging the idioms of classical and modern dance to the bewitching waltzes of Sergei Prokofiev from Cinderella and the opera War and Peace, Kudelka crafts a series of pas de deux that delve into the intricate and passionate dynamics of human relationships.
Choreography: Jean Grand-Maître
Music: Līgo, Song of Latvia, orchestrated by Ārijs Šķepasts; Pēteris Vasks, Vientulais Engeles (Lonely Angel) - Meditation for Violin and String Orchestra; Pēteris Vasks, English Horn Concerto, first movement; sound compositions by Jean Grand-Maître; recordings excerpts of Madame Chiriaeff
Costumes: Mélanie Ferrero (costumes for ESBQ’s students: Sonia Bayer)
Lighting: Pierre Lavoie
Arrangements: Jean-François Duchesne and Claude Lemelin
With the participation of 20 students from the École supérieure de ballet du Québec - advanced classes
In honour of Ludmilla, Jean Grand-Maître, one of Canada's most talented choreographers of his generation and acclaimed worldwide for his collaborations with Elton John, Sarah McLachlan, k.d. lang, and Joni Mitchell, will present his creation Continuum, crafted in collaboration with Les Grands Ballets and featuring the promising talents from the École supérieure de ballet du Québec, draws on the musical heritage of Latvia, Chiriaeff's birthplace. This piece delves into Madame's roots and follows the journey of an artist, a war refugee and exile from her homeland, who carries with her a love for dance to her new home. There, she will plant the seeds of passion for this art form, still largely undiscovered, with a rare insight.
LES GRANDS BALLETS
The performance of "The Four Temperaments", a Balanchine® Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style® and Balanchine Technique® Service standards established and provided by the Trust.
