Donald Sales in Herman Schmerman; photo by Chris Randle.

Ballet BC will bring Encore to the Queen E Theatre for three evening performances from January 24 to 26. The series is part of the 2013 Push International Arts Festival and will feature three audience favourites from the 2010 and 2011 dance seasons.

Herman Schmerman is choreographed by William Forsythe, recognized as one of the world’s foremost choreographers. The piece will be danced to music by Dutch composer Thom Willems. Widely responsible for reorienting the practice of ballet from its identification with the classical repertoire to a dynamic 21st century art form, Herman Schmerman was an enormous audience success when it was premiered by Ballet BC in April 2010.

In addition, Forsythe directed the Frankfurt Ballet for 20 years. His work is regularly performed by companies around the world, including the St. Petersburg’s Kirov Ballet, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, the Royal Ballet and The Paris Opera Ballet
 
“Forsythe’s work is featured in the repertoire of every major ballet company in the world,” according to Ballet BC’s Artistic Director Emily Molnar. “Encore is a full evening of audience favourites and Forsythe’s virtuosic and vibrantly musical Herman Schmerman is in keeping with Ballet BC’s diverse approach to contemporary ballet. This is dance that moves and captivates audiences.”
 
In February 2011, Ballet BC premiered 1st Flash by Finnish choreographer Jorma Elo. Audiences were enchanted by this work for six dancers, performed to a beautiful Sibelius violin concerto.  Elo is resident choreographer of Boston Ballet and a former member of The Netherlands Dance Theatre, Sweden’s Cullberg Ballet, and The Finnish National Ballet

Petite Ceremonie; photo by Michael Slobodian
[Petite Ceremonie; photo by Michael Slobodian]
 
Originally created for Ballet BC in February 2011, Petite Cérémonie is a powerful and poetic full-company piece by European dance star Medhi Walerski. Inspired by the idea of ‘life in a box,’ it is a surprising and delightful mix of dance and theatre, full of imagery and adventure, a dazzling landscape of movement and ideas. Walerski’s original voice makes dances that are “out of this world…a dreamlike experience. A dream you never want to wake from.” Walerski is a dancer with The Netherlands Dance Theatre.
 
Adds Molnar, “Both Jorma and Medhi have had great international success and have created and staged works for major dance companies around the world. We are thrilled to have their work as part of Ballet BC’s repertoire.”
 

Ballet BC Presents Encore with Push International Arts Festival

Dates: January 24 to 26, 2013, 8 pm
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 649 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $22.25 to $70 (plus service charges); available online or via phoning Ticketmaster at 1.855.985.2787 (855.985.ARTS).

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