January 20, 2004 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The National Arts Centre Orchestra presents Evelyn Hart and Friends: From the Heart a dance concert starring Canada’s most beloved prima ballerina Evelyn Hart together with dance partners, Rex Harrington of the National Ballet of Canada and Arionel Vargas from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and Canadian singer Ann Mortifee. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Music Director, Earl Stafford, who with Hart developed the magical lineup of orchestral ballet music and dance performance, will conduct the NAC Orchestra for these CJOH Pops concerts from Thursday, January 29 to Saturday, January 31 at 20:00 in the NAC’s Southam Hall.

A feast for Evelyn Hart fans, the programme was chosen to feature Hart, perhaps the most expressive dancer the world has ever seen, performing in a variety of styles from classical, to romantic, to dramatic to modern. It includes a rare performance of the Belong pas de deux, a sinuous and sensual duet to music by Syrinx that helped propel Hart to world stardom when she captivated judges and audience to become the first Canadian winner of the Gold Medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria, as well as the rarely awarded Certificate of Exceptional Artistic Achievement. Canadian choreographer Norbert Vesak won Gold for choreographing Belong and Earl Stafford won Gold for piano accompaniment at the same competition. Hart with Arionel Vargas will now dance Belong for the first time ever to a full orchestral score arranged for the NAC Orchestra by Stafford.

Evelyn Hart will also perform the famous Dying Swan solo to the music of Saint-Saëns performed by NAC Orchestra principal cello Amanda Forsyth and harpist Manon Le Comte. With Rex Harrington she will be the White Swan from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, and with Arionel Vargas she will be La Dame aux Camélias with Earl Stafford accompanying her on piano in the second movement of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1.

Ann Mortifee, the evocative Vancouver singer whose connection with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet began with the music she wrote and sang for The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, one of the company’s most successful creations, will connect the dance pieces together with several of her own songs: “Hollow Reed”, “Born to Live”, “The Jester”, “Are You Lonely”, “Phoenix”, and “Baptism”.

The programme also features the National Arts Centre Orchestra performing some of Hart’s favourite ballet music: excerpts from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, the finale of Swan Lake, and excerpts from Stravinsky’s The Firebird. A surprise finale will unite the whole ensemble in music, song and dance.

Award-winning ballerina Evelyn Hart is an internationally renowned dancer and one of Canada's most treasured artists. After studying in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, she joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1976, becoming a soloist in 1978 and principal dancer in 1979. With the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Evelyn has toured throughout North America, Europe and Asia. A popular guest artist, she has also appeared with numerous leading ballet companies on stages throughout the world. A Companion of the Order of Canada, Hart was also inducted into Canada’s prestigious Walk of Fame on June 23, 2000.

Ann Mortifee is respected as one of Canada's most outstanding and unique performing artists. Known throughout the world for her passionate and honest performances, Ann has released eight albums, written three musicals, and several ballet and film scores. She has worked as a keynote speaker for conferences on such concerns as the use of creativity in healing, death and dying, environmental and women’s issues. She received the Order of Canada in 1992 for her outstanding contribution to the healing and performing arts in Canada.

Rex Harrington has remained throughout his 20 years with The National Ballet of Canada one of the most consistently admired and popular of all the company’s performers. His exceptional dramatic flair, bold physicality and instinct for characterization have also won him accolades internationally and he is one of the finest male dancers of his generation. He graduated from the National Ballet School in 1981 and joined the National Ballet of Canada two years later becoming a Principal Dancer in 1988. He has partnered Evelyn Hart in guest performances around the world.

Arionel Vargas danced with the Teatro Rio de Janeiro in Brazil after studying at Cuba’s national dance school in Havana. He won a gold medal at Brazil’s International Ballet Competition in 1995 and also won a bronze medal at the New York International Ballet Competition in 1996. He joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1996, and was promoted to soloist in 1998 and principal dancer in 2000.

Earl Stafford was appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1984. In addition to his work with the company he has served on the faculty of the Banff Centre, School for the Arts, been Music Director for Rainbow Stage, and is currently enjoying a very active career as guest conductor with many of Canada's orchestras. Internationally, Earl has appeared with the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Theatre Harmony Orchestra of Moscow and the National Orchestra of Peru.

The National Arts Centre Orchestra will present Evelyn Hart and Friends: From the Heart from January 29 to 31. Tickets for these CJOH Pops Series concerts are on sale now at $34.50, $48.50, $50.00, $59.00 and $61.00, with box seats at $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111.  Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.  Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card.

For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Marketing Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca