National Ballet of Canada Announces New Initiative 'See The Music, Hear The Dance'

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced a new initiative within the popular pre-performance Ballet Talks series, See the Music, Hear the Dance. Led by Principal Conductor and Music Director David Briskin and featuring The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, the new series invites audiences to deepen their knowledge of the musical language of ballet.

See the Music, Hear the Dance will take place prior to the opening night performance of The Sleeping Beauty on March 8, 2018 and on June 22, before a performance of Paz de la Jolla & The Man in Black & Cacti.

"The relationship between music and movement is something that is inherent in the experience of a dance performance," said Mr. Briskin. "See the Music, Hear the Dance is a quote by the great choreographer George Balanchine who was renowned for his musicality and the perfect title for our new Ballet Talks series. The Talks will give audience members a greater understanding and appreciation for the music they are about to experience as well as spotlight the talented musicians in the National Ballet orchestra."

The National Ballet is one of the few companies in the world to have its own orchestra, admired for the range and versatility of repertoire it performs as well as the theatrical insight and colour it brings to the company's work onstage.

See the Music, Hear the Dance takes place at 6:25 pm in the auditorium and is free to all ticket holders for the March 8 and June 22 performances.

The Sleeping Beauty is onstage March 8 - 18, 2018 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Photo: David Briskin. Photo by Karolina Kuras.