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Monday, June 10, 2019

In Context: Ballet BC

Photo: Michael Slobodian

Canada’s beloved contemporary ballet company celebrates 10 years of excellence under the leadership of artistic director Emily Molnar, a former soloist with Ballett Frankfurt. In a kind of career-spanning reunion, this evening-length trio sets a new piece (To This Day) by Molnar alongside Enemy in the Figure, a masterwork by her former mentor William Forsythe, as well as Solo Echo, choreographed by fellow Frankfurt alum Crystal Pite. Emotive, expansive, and supremely theatrical, these three daring works embody the innovative spirit and tenacious artistry for which Ballet British Columbia has become known.

After you've attended the show, let us know what you thought by posting in the comments below and on social media using #BalletBC.

Program Notes

Ballet BC (PDF)

Read

Blog
The Three Choreographers Bringing Contemporary Ballet to BAM in June (BAM Blog)
Molnar, Forsythe and Pite describe their pieces being performed at BAM, and how their works reflect the collaborative nature and evolution of the contemporary ballet company.

Article
William Forsythe: ‘Isn’t Ballet Delightful?’ (The New York Times)
A profile of the innovative choreographer, from his classical training “into more theatrical and improvisational terrain.”

Blog
A Leader in Ballet Celebrates 10 Years (Stance on Dance)
Get to know Emily Molnar, the visionary leader behind Ballet BC, whose pioneering philosophies and methods have helped to transform the company.

Blog
Crystal Pite: 'In ballet, girls are less likely to be prized for being mavericks' (The Guardian)
Pite, who The Guardian calls “one of the most sought-after choreographers of her generation,” discusses what inspires her to create and shares her thoughts on gender in the ballet world


Watch

Ballet British Columbia - Interview with Emily Molnar (YouTube)
Molnar describes what makes Ballet BC unique.

How Crystal Pite builds her striking choreographic phrases (CBC Arts)
See if you can keep up with Pite as she demonstrates, step-by-step, her process in building her choreographic phrases.


Now your turn...

What did you think? Tell us what's on your mind in the comments below and on social media using #BalletBC.

© 2019 Brooklyn Academy of Music, Inc. All rights reserved.

7 comments:

  1. Loved the manic energy of the Forsythe piece. The choreography is clever without being pretentious, the movement precise fluid and naturally beautiful. The rest did not quite live up to it.

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  2. Fantastic Performance I Love It.

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  3. Interesting to see Forsythe's "Enemy in the Figure" 40 years after its premiers. It holds up well. Crystal Pite's "Solo Echo" is pure poetry! Devastatingly personal and resonant. The dancers are superb!

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    1. this dance premiered in 1989, 30 years ago

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  4. A spectacular performance. The pieces were a display of complete athleticism and a testament to the trust these dancers have in one another. The partnering was incredible. Solo Echo was dynamic, moving me to audible gasps of, "wow."

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  5. I have never seen dancers move like that. Each piece was inspiring and very beautiful. Very personal and moving. The dancers flowed into solos,duos, and larger groups seamlessly. Spectacular!

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  6. Amazing program, and intriguing connections between the three choreographers. Have been a long time fan of Forsythe during his Hamburg years. And a relatively new fan of Crystal Pite. The company is full of very strong dancers.

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