February 20, 2007 -

OTTAWA (Canada) -- The National Arts Centre today mourns the loss of Celia Franca, founder of the National Ballet of Canada and a vital friend and supporter of the NAC.

Miss Franca’s association with the NAC goes back prior to the Centre’s creation, with Miss Franca serving as a member of the expert advisory committee on opera, ballet and music.

The National Ballet of Canada’s production of Krannerg was the NAC’s inaugural performance in 1969, and Miss Franca, the Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada at the time, was onstage herself during the NAC’s opening week in Romeo and Juliet.

The National Ballet of Canada appeared at the NAC many times under Miss Franca’s directorship, and her own choreographies for such ballets as The Nutcracker were enjoyed by thousands of NAC patrons. She was married to James (Jay) Morton who was a member of the NAC Orchestra, and remained an ardent supporter of the Orchestra and a deep lover of music all of her life.

After her retirement from the National Ballet of Canada she continued to live in Ottawa and was often seen in the audience at NAC shows. In conjunction with the NAC she presented a series of talks on Dance. For her 80th birthday, The School of Dance in Ottawa (of which Ms Franca was co-founder) and the NAC co-presented a gala performance in Southam Hall and a retrospective exhibition of her life and career, Celia Franca: Creating Dance, in her honour.

Brilliantly talented, disciplined, and extremely funny, Miss Franca remained a vital force in dance until well into her 80s. Celia Franca was a national treasure, a dedicated and profoundly influential artist, and she will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

In recognition of her passing, the National Arts Centre flags have been lowered.

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For more information:
Jayne Watson
Director of Communications, National Arts Centre
(613) 947-7000, ext. 260
(613) 791-5697 (cell)
jwatson@nac-cna.ca