January 11, 2005 -

OTTAWA -- Audiences will plunge into a world of fiery passion, dramatic power, and lofty spirituality with this blazingly theatrical presentation of Carmina Burana. One of the best-known musical works of the twentieth century, Carmina Burana will be presented in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre (NAC) on January 27, 28, and 29 at 20:00. Argentine choreographer Mauricio Wainrot has created a feast for the senses which explores the human condition with dark humour, irreverence, and lust for life. From tender love to explicit eroticism, from the beauty of nature to human mortality and the power of fate, Carmina Burana combines dance, music, and song in an event of exuberant and uninhibited theatrical power. All performances feature the entire company of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the renowned NAC Orchestra under the baton of RWB Music Director and Conductor Earl Stafford, three vocal soloists, the 60-voice Cantata Singers of Ottawa under the direction of Laurence Ewashko, and 20 members of the Ottawa Children’s Choir under Music Director Robert Filion.

Carmina Burana is part of the National Arts Centre’s Canril Corporation Ballet Series, which is generously sponsored by Canril Corporation.

Carmina Burana: Secular Songs for soloist and chorus with Accompanying Instruments and Magic Tableux (“Songs from Benediktbeuern”) was composed by Carl Orff in 1937, inspired by 13^th-century manuscripts discovered in a Bavarian monastery in 1803. From this collection of two hundred songs -- complete with pagan and blasphemous lyrics written by minstrels, defrocked monks, and vagrant students “better known for their rioting, gambling, and intemperance than for their scholarship” -- Carl Orff selected twenty-five of the most powerful. Carmina Burana uses simple melodies and distinctive pulsing rhythms -- often punctuated with points of raw barbaric power – to invoke the vagaries of love and the Wheel of Fortune which controls man's destiny. Composed in only a few weeks, Orff described Carmina Burana as “total theatre”. Though often now presented unstaged, the work was originally intended to be semi-theatrical, complete with dance sequences -- hence Orff’s instruction of ‘Magic Tableux’.

The evening includes a pas de deux entitled Inspiration, choreographed to Mozart’s “Concerto No. 23 in A Major for Piano and Orchestra” by guest artist Mário Radacovsky´ and performed by Mr. Radacovsky´ and Evelyn Hart, Canada’s favourite prima ballerina.

Also on the bill is Mark Godden’s contemporary 1995 work, Miroirs. A former company member, Godden has created a highly visual, highly engaging and highly entertaining sequence of five short dances set to five poems for piano by Maurice Ravel. Each works well on its own terms, finding a distinctive dance personality: the fluttering reticence of the night moths in Noctuelles; the spirited curiosity of the Jester in Alborada del Gracioso; the deliberate irreverence of language in La Vallée des cloches. Miroirs features Godden’s typically tricky intertwinings, angular arms, and forceful floorwork, creating a choreographically bewitching lyrical flow.

“The unforgettable Carmina Burana was a boiling cauldron of choreography... The fiercely physical choreography echoes the hint of barbarism and sensuality in the music.”

“A rousing standing ovation at the end of this 55-minute spectacular was well earned. It was a feast for the senses: brilliant choroegraphy by Mauricio Wainrot …disciplined, athletic performances by more than 20 of the ballet’s most gifted dancers”

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet performs Carmina Burana in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on Thursday January 27, Friday January 28, and Saturday January 29 at 20:00. Tickets are $71, $66.50, $55, and $37 for adults, and $36.50, $34.25, $28.50, and $19.50 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card). Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office (in person) 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. Last-minute tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students are $9.50 at the Live Rush Centre in the NAC Foyer after 18:00 on the day of performance only, upon presentation of a valid 'Live Rush' card. Groups of 20 or more save up to 20% off regular priced tickets; for reservations, call (613) 947-7000 x384 or toll free 1-866-850-2787, x384 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca

Photos for all dance events can be viewed and downloaded at: www.nac-cna.ca/media/

Information:
Gerald Morris
Marketing and Media Relations,
NAC Dance Department
(613) 947-7000, ext. 249
gmorris@nac-cna.ca

CANADA’S ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET
Versatility, technical excellence and a captivating style are the trademarks of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, qualities that have garnered both critical and audience acclaim.  These qualities keep the RWB in demand as it presents more than 150 performances every season. Founded in 1939, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet holds the double distinction of being Canada's premier ballet company and the longest continuously operating ballet company in North America.  In 1953, the company received its royal title, the first granted under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.  The RWB has grown and developed under Artistic Directors Arnold Spohr, Henry Jurriens, John Meehan, William Whitener and, since 1996, André Lewis.  Lewis has revitalised the company’s repertoire with the commissioning of new full-length ballets, such as Dracula and a Canadian-themed Nutcracker, and the RWB now takes its place among the world's internationally renowned companies.  Today, the company spends 20 or more weeks a year on tour.  The RWB repertoire embraces a wide array of dance styles and includes classical story ballets and an intriguing collection of shorter dances.  A fine balance is achieved between the classical traditions of Europe and the boldness of contemporary ballet, which in turn has produced a style unique to the RWB.

MAURICIO WAINROT, Choreographer
Artistic Director Mauricio Wainrot was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he began his dance career under director Oscar Araiz. Following guest appearances on two continents, he became Artistic Director of Grupo de Danza Contemporania in Buenos Aires. He choreographed several works for them which toured the Soviet Union, Spain, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. In 1984, Mr. Wainrot was General Secretary of the First Inter-American Dance Conference, and in 1985, he was President of the second conference. His choreography is in the repertoire of Les Ballets jazz de Montreal (where he held the post of Artistic Director), the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (Carmina Burana), Ballet Royal of Flanders and Ballet Royal of Wallonie in Belgium, Bat Dor Dance Company of Israel, Staattheater Wiesbaden and Landestheater Mainz in Germany, Gotenberg Opera Ballet in Sweden, North Carolina Dance Theatre, and English National Ballet, among others.

MARK GODDEN, Choreographer
Born in Dallas, Mark Godden studied dance at the Denton School of Ballet in Texas. In 1981, Godden entered the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, joining the Company in 1984 and distinguishing himself in leading roles. However, as early as 1982, Godden began to focus on choreography. Today he is considered one of Canada's foremost young choreographic talents, his creations having won him international acclaim. His choreographic career began with creations for the Professional Division students of the RWB School (Forms of Distinction, 1988). In 1989, Godden's Sequoia was taken into the RWB's repertoire and later entered the repertoire of Mexico's Compañía Nacional de Danza. Godden also created two award-winning pas de deux featuring RWB dancers (Myth, 1990; La Princess et le Soldat). Godden was appointed Resident Choreographer for the RWB in 1990 and created Symphony No. 1., Angels in the Architecture, Dame aux Fruits, and A Darkness Between Us. Godden's La Folía was originally created in 1992. He began working as an independent choreographer in 1994, making his home in Montréal. He has created new works for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, Alberta Ballet, Ballet British Columbia, and for Ballet Jörgen. He created Miroirs for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1995, The Rite of Spring in 1997, and Dracula, his first full-length ballet, in 1998. As Above, So Below was created in 2001, and The Magic Flute in 2003.