Nederlands Dans Theater returns for the first time in seven years
Batsheva Dance Company is back for the second time in five years
Eifman Ballet St. Petersburg celebrates its 40th anniversary with a third visit to Toronto since 2013
The Dance Collection featuring two and three show packages goes on sale today through January 14, 2017
The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts announces a new international Dance Collection, sponsored by BMO Financial Group, featuring three world-renowned dance companies.
Beginning this fall through to spring 2017, Toronto dance enthusiasts will enjoy performances by Nederlands Dans Theater, featuring their signature fluidity, athleticism, precision and sheer energy; Batsheva Dance Company of Israel led by renowned choreographer Ohad Naharin; and the co-presentation with Show One Productions of Russia’s Eifman Ballet led by acclaimed choreographer Boris Eifman. The Dance Collection packages are available today until January 14, 2017 with special bundle pricing for multiple performances.
Single tickets will go on sale on Saturday, August 27, 2016. Visit www.sonycentre.ca for details.
“The Centre’s core commitment to bringing important international work to Toronto audiences is finely reflected in our 2016-17 Dance Collection. These three companies epitomize the directions taken by the most innovative, technically brilliant and entertaining dance companies in the world today. While none are complete strangers to Toronto, the Centre is proud to fulfill its role in ensuring the presence of great artists in the regular season programming of our city’s stages,” said Mark Hammond, CEO and Director of Programming for the Sony Centre.
About the dance companies featured in the collection:
Nederlands Dans Theater
Origin: Den Haag, Netherlands
Performance Date and Time: November 9, 2016, 8:00PM
Lauded by Le Figaro as “one of the seven wonders of the world,” Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) will present three pieces including Sehnsucht choreographed by NDT house choreographers, Sol León and Paul Lightfoot; In the Eventchoreographed by associate choreographer, Crystal Pite; and Stop-Motionchoreographed by Sol León and Paul Lightfoot. One of the world’s leading contemporary dance companies, the dancers of NDT are renowned for their versatility, astonishing technique and virtuosic expression. This rebellious top company has built a rich repertoire of over 600 ballets by many master international choreographers. León and Lightfoot are both house choreographers since 2002. Lightfoot is also the Artistic Director of the company since 2011, and Leon was appointed Artistic Advisor in 2012. NDT is known for its interdisciplinary approach by combining visual art, music composition, and innovative light and set designs, all the while developing exciting new talent. This award-winning company returns to Toronto for the first time in seven years.
Batsheva Dance Company: Decadance 2017
Origin: Tel Aviv, Israel
Performance Date and Time: January 14, 2017, 8:00PM
Helmed by the dynamic and talented choreographer, Ohad Naharin, Batsheva Dance Company has been critically acclaimed and popularly embraced as one of the foremost contemporary dance companies in the world. Naharin’s compelling choreographic craft and inventive, supremely textured movement vocabulary, have propelled the company into a new era with his adventurous curatorial vision and distinctive choreographic voice. Naharin is also the originator of an innovative movement language, Gaga, which has enriched his extraordinary movement invention, revolutionized Batsheva’s training, and emerged as a growing force in the larger field of movement practices. In addition, Naharin is the subject of the highly-regarded Mr. Gaga documentary that recently had its Canadian premiere at Hot Docs and won the Audience Award: Documentary Spotlight at SXSW this past March. The company returns to Toronto for a second time in five years. Decadance 2017 will feature selected excerpts from Z/NA (1995), ANAPHASE (1993), MABUL(1992), NAHARIN’S VIRUS (2001), ZACHACHA (1998), SADEH 21 (2001),TELPHAZA (2006), THREE (2005) and MAX (2007). Excerpts subject to change.
Eifman Ballet St. Petersburg: Red Giselle
Origin: St. Petersburg, Russia
Performance Dates: May 11 – 12, 2017,
8:00PM; May 13, 2017, 2:00PM & 8:00PM
Powerful, passionate, raw and visceral, the internationally renowned Eifman Balletis set to deliver its visually stunning production of Red Giselle to Toronto audiences. The company is always a welcome addition, and this is their third visit to the Sony Centre since their Toronto debut in 2013, and an auspicious one as they celebrate their 40th Anniversary. Inspired by one of the 20th century’s greatest ballerinas, Olga Spessivtseva, Boris Eifman’s choreographic love letter to Spessivtseva’s tragic life draws parallels to the classic ballet Giselle, but is also a springboard for larger themes of politics vs. art and public vs. private personas in the age of celebrity. Red Giselle features Eifman’s signature choreography filled with highly charged performances and searing routines with “exuberant theatricality, boldly expressive movement and extraordinary dancing.” – Vogue. Sony Centre is pleased to co-present the Eifman Ballet with Show One Productions.