Atlantic Ballet Theatre, Symphony Nova Scotia with Denise Djokicto perform at Atlantic Scene
December 20, 2002 -
OTTAWA (Ontario) -- Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the
National Arts Centre, today announced that Atlantic Ballet Theatre of
Canada and Symphony Nova Scotia with cello virtuoso Denise Djokic,
will spearhead a stellar classical arts lineup during next
spring's Atlantic Scene. The Atlantic Scene is the first in a
series of biennial regional festivals to take place in the
nation's capital which will showcase the best in Canadian arts
and culture from coast to coast.
Simply put, Atlantic Scene is about three numbers: 200, 75 and 13:
200 established and emerging artists from the East Coast will take
part in 75 events ranging from theatre, visual arts, film, comedy and
literature, to Celtic, Acadian, pop and classical music - and
even culinary arts. For 13 days beginning April 22, 2003, and ending
on May 4, 2003, it will be as if Atlantic Canada has moved to the
nation's capital.
"Classical performers will have a special place at the festival,"
said Mr. Herrndorf a few hours before his keynote address to the
Atlantic Ballet Theatre gala in Moncton, New Brunswick. "The Atlantic
Scene will be a wonderful mix of artistic genres and a celebration of
the East Coast's breadth of talent."
The full Atlantic Scene lineup of performers, as well as the time
and date of shows and activities, will be unveiled at the National
Arts Centre in March.
The Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada is a newly established
professional ballet company, comprising eight dancers from around the
world and located in Moncton, New Brunswick. The company is high
calibre and dynamic. Since its inception in June 2001, Atlantic
Ballet Theatre has captured the imagination of audiences throughout
Atlantic Canada and attracted the attention of regional and national
media. The company's performance in the nation's capital at
the Canadian Museum of Civilization on April 26, 2003, will mark its
first appearance outside Atlantic Canada.
"Taking part in this wonderful cultural event is a dream come true
for our small company," said Susan Chalmers-Gauvin, Chair of the
ABTC. "We have come a very long way in a very short time, thanks to
the strong support we have received in Atlantic Canada. We are
honoured to be chosen as one of the representatives of this vibrant
cultural community."
Symphony Nova Scotia was founded in 1983. The orchestra has 37
musicians on contract and presents concerts between September and May
each season. Its repertoire ranges from baroque to classical to
contemporary music and, each season, Symphony Nova Scotia gives
approximately 65 performances, a number of which are broadcast
nationwide on CBC Radio. Symphony Nova Scotia will perform in the
National Art's Centre's Southam Hall on April 28 and 29,
2003.
"In my inaugural season as Music Director of Symphony Nova Scotia,
it is a great honour for me to be conducting Symphony Nova Scotia in
the nation's capital," said Bernhard Gueller. "Atlantic Canada is
home to a rich musical heritage, and we're proud to share it with the
rest of Canada at the Atlantic Scene."
Performing with Symphony Nova Scotia will be cellist Denise Djokic
who is establishing herself as one of the most exciting young talents
of her generation. Her solo career has brought her centre stage with
many of North America's foremost orchestras, and she appears
frequently at major festivals as a recitalist and chamber musician.
Denise's recent television appearances on the 2001 East Coast Music
Awards and the 2002 Grammy Awards have won her international
recognition.
Next spring's Atlantic Scene performance of Symphony Nova
Scotia will also feature Suzanne Lemieux as oboe soloist. Ms. Lemieux
has been invited as guest artist with the Scotia Festival of Music,
the Courtenay Music Centre, Ottawa's Thirteen Strings, the
National Arts Centre's Debut Series, Music Toronto, MILLENNIUM,
the New Brunswick Summer Festival and several organizations in
Halifax.
Partners in Atlantic Scene include the Government of Canada, the
Department of Canadian Heritage, Universal Music Canada as well as
other corporate and individual donors. A partnership with
CBC/Radio-Canada will enhance the visibility of artists participating
in Atlantic Scene through broadcast and promotion. Print media
sponsors the National Post, the Ottawa Citizen,
LeDroit and Transcontinental Media will also help tell the
stories emerging from this initiative. Provincial partners include
the Governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward
Island. Symphony Nova Scotia's participation in Atlantic Scene
is made possible by the Canada Council.
