About the Ballet

In addition to being one of contemporary choreography’s most important voices, John Neumeier is a world authority on the life and work of Vaslav Nijinsky. Who better, then, to create a work that delves into the mind and spirit of one of ballet’s—and, indeed, modern culture’s—most legendarily complex figures? Renowned for his unforgettable stage presence, his astonishing technique and his groundbreaking approach to choreographic expression, Nijinsky shattered for all time not just the prevailing notions and expectations of the male dancer, but the limitations that convention had imposed on the range of dramatic possibilities in dance itself.

Neumeier’s Nijinsky is partly a biographical narrative, focusing on the key events and relationships of his life, but also a form of memory-ballet, in which we enter Nijinsky’s own fevered reflections on his art, his identity as a man and artist, and the perilous, tumultuous times in which he lived. Designing the sets, costumes and lighting as well as choreographing the work, Neumeier has shaped an act of personal homage, but also charts the delicate line between genius and madness with incredible immersive power and empathy. Nijinsky leaves the audience emotionally bruised but awakened to the sensibility and vision of an extraordinary artist.

Casting

Vaslav Nijinsky
Guillaume Côté (Nov. 22, 24 eve, 26 mat)
Francesco Gabriele Frola (Nov. 23 mat, 25 eve)
Skylar Campbell (Nov. 23 eve, 25 mat)

Diaghilev
Evan McKie (Nov. 22, 24 eve)
Piotr Stanczyk (Nov. 23, 25 mat, 23, 25 eve)
Ben Rudisin* (Nov. 26 mat)

Romola
Heather Ogden (Nov. 22, 24 eve)
Svetlana Lunkina (Nov. 23 mat, 25 eve)
Sonia Rodriguez (Nov. 23 eve, 25 mat)
Xiao Nan Yu (Nov. 26 mat)

*debut

Credits

Choreography, Sets*, Costumes* and Lighting Concept:
John Neumeier
*based partly on original sketches by Léon Bakst and Alexander Benois

Music:
Frédéric Chopin, Prélude in C minor
Robert Schumann, Faschingsschwank aus Wien, I. Allegro
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsokov, Schéhérazade, Op. 35 (Movements I, III and IV)
Dmitri Shostakovich*, Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 147, III. Adagio
Dmitri Shostakovich*, Symphony No. 11, Op. 103 (The Year 1905)
*By arrangement with G. Schirmer Inc. publisher and copyright owner

Lighting Reconstructed by:
Ralf Merkel

Lead philanthropic support for Nijinsky is provided by The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation, an anonymous friend of the National Ballet, The Volunteer Committee of The National Ballet of Canada and The Producers’ Circle.

The Producers’ Circle: John & Claudine Bailey, David W. Binet, Susanne Boyce & Brendan Mullen, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Rosamond Ivey, Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Sandra Simpson and Noreen Taylor, C.M. & David Staines, C.M., O.Ont.

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Ludwig Van

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