Tours en l'air organizes ballet-themed escorted holidays to see the best companies perform great ballets in beautiful places. You can join a trip from anywhere. A highly knowledgeable balletomane who has enjoyed 100s of performances in over 20 cities around the world,I speak English, French, and German, and am a Travel Industry Council of Ontario certified Travel Counsellor. I also teach ballet appreciation courses.
For a taste of what our trips are like, follow https://www.facebook.com/toursenlair/ on facebook.
Tours en l'air Ballet Holidays are offered in partnership with CWT Victor Travel, 101 - 8800 Dufferin Street, Concord, ON L4K 0C5, 416-736-6010, TICO # 1892647

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Tuesday, March 24, 2015

ABT Documentary by Ric Burns to air on PBS

American Masters: American Ballet Theatre, a feature-length documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker Ric Burns, celebrates ABT’s legacy through rehearsal footage, performances and interviews with key figures from the Company’s rich history.  Beginning production in 2006, Burns was given unprecedented access to the Company and shot hundreds of hours of original footage, including live performances in Paris and Havana, studio rehearsals in New York City and slow-motion captures at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center in Tivoli, New York.  The film also includes hundreds of carefully curated still photographs and rare archival footage of ballet icons, providing a comprehensive look at American Ballet Theatre and the world of professional ballet.

American Masters: American Ballet Theatre will have its national broadcast premiere on Friday, May 15 at 9:00 P.M. on PBS (check local listings).

Torontonians with Bell service:
KCTS (Seattle-area affiliate) : "This program is scheduled to air Friday, May 15th at 11:30 PM PDT (2:30 am EDT) or Sunday, May 17th at 12:00 noon PDT) (3 pm EDT)."



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Monday, March 23, 2015

New Kylian documentary


KYLIÁN, J.: The Choreographer (Documentary) Concetti, Peretyatko, Siragusa, Barcellona, Pratt, Mihai, Ulivieri, Carignani, Mariotti, Jurowski, Pier'Alli, Pasqual, Livermore, Michieletto Arthaus Musik 108152 [Blu-ray] also available on DVD.
Release date March 31, 2015 The acclaimed Czech choreographer Jíri Kylian has worked with the Nederlands Dans Theater as artistic director and house choreographer continuously since 1975. From “a bunch of rebels, afraid of drowning in a lake of swans”, the company and Kylian have gained an international reputation placing them at the heart of the established art world. This intimate portrait follows Kylian as he travels to Prague for the first time since the change of government and to rehearsals in Stuttgart, where he began his career as a dancer with John Cranko and choreographed his first ballet. Many extracts from Kylian’s ballets are included, illustrating the breadth and diversity of his work to date, archive film that should prove fascinating, and interviews with colleagues.

If you love ballet, please check out my season of outstanding ballet trips by clicking here.

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Sunday, March 22, 2015

Royal Ballet Osipova Golding Swan Lake to be released on DVD


Natalia Osipova as Odette in Swan Lake. © ROH 2015. Photo by Alice Pennefather 2015 
Anthony Dowell's Royal Ballet production of Swan Lake is to be released on DVD for the first time since the remarkable 2009 performance by Marianela Nuñez and Thiago Soares.
The performance scheduled for release was captured during this week's live cinema relay. It stars Royal Ballet Principals Natalia Osipova and Matthew Golding, who form a formidable partnership as Odette/Odile and Prince Siegfried. 
‘I don’t imagine Odette as a magnificent swan’, says Natalia. ‘She is fragile and vulnerable, like a flower that has bloomed and you want to protect it. She wants to believe the Prince will save her from the curse, but she can’t. I haven’t danced Swan Lake with Matthew before – our artistic partnership has only just begun – but he’s a fabulous, incredible dancer.’
The relay featured a series of backstage films, including rehearsal footage and interviews with members of the cast and creative team.
Download our Swan Lake Digital Programme, which contains specially selected features to bring you closer to the production.
The date of the DVD release has yet to be agreed and will be announced in due course.

For North American live broadcast dates, please click here:
http://toursenlair.blogspot.ca/2015/03/golding-osipova-swan-lake-broadcasts.html


If you love ballet, please check out my season of outstanding ballet trips by clicking here.

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Saturday, March 21, 2015

Meet Evan McKie

New Video: Meet Principal Dancer Evan McKie
Today marks Principal Dancer Evan McKie's debut as the Knave of Hearts in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Born in Toronto, Evan McKie joined the National Ballet as a Principal Dancer in 2014. A former Principal Dancer with Stuttgart Ballet, Evan is acclaimed around the world for his elegant, nuanced performances. This season he made exciting debuts in several roles such as Diaghilev in Nijinsky, Peter/The Nutcracker in The Nutcracker.

Friday, March 20, 2015

National Ballet of Canada Firebird available on DVD



STRAVINSKY, I.: Firebird (The) (National Ballet of Canada) (NTSC)
    

 



STRAVINSKY, I.: Firebird (The) (National Ballet of Canada) (NTSC)


  Igor Stravinsky
THE FIREBIRD

also available on Blu-Ray
Release Date March 31, 2015

The Firebird - Greta Hodgkinson
Prince Ivan - Aleksandar Antonijevic
Princess Vasilisa - Rebekah Rimsay
Kastchei - Rex Harrington
Kastchei’s Wife - Victoria Bertram

National Ballet of Canada
James Kudelka, choreographer

Studio Production, 2003

Kirov Orchestra
Valery Gergiev
, conductor


Picture format: NTSC 16:9
Sound format: PCM Stereo
Region code: 0 (worldwide)
Booklet Notes: English, German, French
Running time: 53 mins
No. of DVDs: 1


https://youtu.be/fv0DENyD5Fk


Order here from amazon.ca:
Blu-Ray:
http://www.amazon.ca/Firebird-BluRay-Blu-ray-Hodgkinson/dp/B00SM43D5K/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1426870649&sr=1-1&keywords=firebird

DVD:
http://www.amazon.ca/Firebird-Hodgkinson/dp/B00SM43DFA/ref=sr_1_2?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1426870649&sr=1-2&keywords=firebird

Also available worldwide through your local supplier.

If you love ballet, please check out my season of outstanding ballet trips by clicking here.

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Thursday, March 19, 2015

Videos: Balanchine's Ballo della Regina

Some nice clips from Houston Ballet's recent performances of Balanchine's Ballo della Regina

https://youtu.be/6wAlOSfQUHk



https://youtu.be/oQyPC_AMznA


https://youtu.be/JBY-DRK0054



If you love ballet, please check out my season of outstanding ballet trips by clicking here.

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35% off Opera Atelier Orpheus & Eurydice (Toronto)

Travelzoo has the following special offer:
Opera Atelier presents the Berlioz version of Gluck's "Orpheus and Eurydice" as their second work this season, with music by Toronto's renowned Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Tickets are now up to 35% off at the Elgin Theatre.
Discounted tickets are available for 7:30 p.m. performances on April 9, 11, 14 and 17, in the following sections:
  • Rear Orchestra & Side Mezzanine (Section C) … $49 (reg. $78)
  • Middle Centre/Sides Orchestra and Centre Mezzanine (Section B) ... $79 (reg. $116)­
"Orpheus and Eurydice" is a timeless love story based on the Greek myth where Orpheus, through his anguish, descends into the underworld on a heroic mission to return his beloved to the land of the living. The opera will be performed at the ornate, Edwardian-style Elgin Theatre downtown.

Book by April 16.


How to book


Click
Click here to book online at Opera Atelier
  1. Click "Got an Offer Code?" and enter code TZOO and click "Apply." 
  2. Choose a quantity of tickets and seating section from the drop-down menu and click "Find Tickets." 
  3. Enter Security Check word and click "Continue." 
  4. Review order and click "Buy."
  5. Choose ticket delivery method and click "Continue." 
  6. Log in or create an account to finish your purchase.

Fees: $7-$8 per ticket and $4 per order



If you love ballet, please check out my season of outstanding ballet trips by clicking here.

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Royal Ballet Osipova Golding Swan Lake at Bloor Cinema



The Bloor Cinema in Toronto has announced that it will be showing the Royal Ballet's Swan Lake  with Matthew Golding and international superstar Natalia Osipova on Tuesday 21 April at 630 pm.  This performance was recorded live at the Royal Opera House on March 17, 2015.
For other broadcast locations in Canada and the US, see this post:
http://toursenlair.blogspot.ca/2015/03/golding-osipova-swan-lake-broadcasts.html

A DVD will also be available in due course.

 Natalia Osipova as Odette/Odile
Matthew Golding as Prince Siegfried
Elizabeth McGorian as The Princess/Siegfried's Mother
Gary Avis as An Evil Spirit/Later Von Rothbart
Alastair Marriott as The Tutor
Valeri Hristov as Benno




For more about Canadian star Matthew Golding, see this post:

http://toursenlair.blogspot.ca/2013/08/who-is-matthew-golding.html
















If you love ballet, please check out my season of outstanding ballet trips by clicking here.

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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Discounts on tickets for National Ballet Alice

The National Ballet of Canada is drastically discounting its orchestra and Grand Ring seats for Saturday (matinee and evening) and  Sunday of this week (March 21 and 22) for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
ALL ORCHESTRA SEATS NOW $95 (regular $188) (plus $10 service charge), rear side orchestra $65 (regular $131) with very good availability. An opportunity to see a great production from a better seat than you might be able to afford otherwise!
To book:
http://national.ballet.ca/Productions/2014-2015-Season/Alice

If you love ballet, please check out my season of outstanding ballet trips by clicking here.

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WIN! a ticket to National Ballet Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

For a chance to win one ticket to Christopher Wheeldon's very entertaining Alice's Adventures in Wonderland at the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto on Wednesday March 25 at 730 pm:

Lead Casting (subject to change)

Alice: Jillian Vanstone
Carroll/White Rabbit: Dylan Tedaldi
Jack/Knave of Hearts: Naoya Ebe
Mother/Queen of Hearts: Greta Hodgkinson 
 
To enter:

Subscribe to updates from toursenlair.blogspot.com before midnight on Tuesday, March 24. To do so, email 
toursenlair@gmail.com with the subject line SUBSCRIBE CONTEST and confirm your subscription (you will be given instructions on how to do this). 


https://youtu.be/nu5YCQUZs4c


If you love ballet, please check out my season of outstanding ballet trips by clicking here.

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Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Erik Bruhn Competition Repertoire

Repertoire Announced for The Eleventh International
Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize
Hosted by Guillaume Côté and Heather Ogden
March 17, 2015... Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the repertoire for The Eleventh International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize, which takes place Tuesday, March 24, 2015 in Toronto at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Ms. Kain has commissioned a new work, The Wild Space Between Two Hearts, from Choreographic Associate Robert Binet to be performed by National Ballet competitors Hannah Fischer and Ethan Watts.They will also perform a pas de deux from Act III of The Sleeping Beauty for the classical portion of the competition.

Ji Young Chae and Junxiong Zhao from Boston Ballet will dance a pas de deux from Act II of The Nutcracker and District by Yury Yanowsky. The Hamburg Ballet’s Futaba Ishizaki and Christopher Evans will perform a pas de deux from Act II of Giselle and Memories of the Future by Hélias Tur-Dorvault. Stephanie Chen Gundorph Møller  and Sebastian Haynes from The Royal Danish Ballet will dance Grand Pas Classique and Iguazú Falls by Alban Lendorf. San Francisco Ballet’s WanTing Zhao and Carlo Di Lanno will perform a pas de deux from Act III of The Sleeping Beauty  and Frayed by Myles Thatcher.

Judges for the competition are Artistic Directors Mikko Nissinen (Boston Ballet), John Neumeier (The Hamburg Ballet), Nikolaj Hübbe (The Royal Danish Ballet), Karen Kain (The National Ballet of Canada) and Helgi Tomasson (San Francisco Ballet).

The evening will be hosted by Principal Dancers Guillaume Côté and Heather Ogden.

Since it began in 1988, the competition has showcased the talents of many of the finest young dancers from companies around the world. Competitors for the prize must be between 18 and 23 years old and are selected by the Artistic Directors of their respective companies. Each pair performs a classical pas de deux and variation and a specially commissioned contemporary pas de deux or solo work.

More information about the competitors >

If you love ballet, please check out my season of outstanding ballet trips by clicking here.

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Monday, March 16, 2015

Ballet Newsletter March

Katherine Barber
Tours en l'air Ballet Holidays
201 Hanson St, Toronto, ON Canada M4C 1A7 416.693.4496
BALLET MAKES LIFE BETTER
GET MORE BALLET OUT OF LIFE WITH TOURS EN L'AIR

9 March 2015
Dear Balletomane,
In this newsletter:
  1. Rollicking Story of the English Language Course
  2. Videos

Bear in mind that this is a great Ballet Bargain. You get to see one of the world's top companies in many different ballets without paying Manhattan prices. Always Tours en l'air's most affordable ballet trip!
New York City Ballet
in
Saratoga Springs, NY
10-12 July 2015
3 days, 2 nights
3 ballet performances
Works by Balanchine, Wheeldon, Ratmansky, Peck, and Robbins
BALLET BUCKET LIST*
New York City Ballet performing Balanchine and Robbins
The unique experience of seeing ballet in the outdoor setting of Saratoga Springs,
in a theatre designed to George Balanchine's own specifications
For more info, click here.

**Please let me know (email toursenlair@gmail.com) NOW if you are interested in this trip
AND
** if so, whether you would be able to commit to it by May 11 this year.
Even if you can't commit by May 11 but are still interested, please let me know that. 
 
Saturday 2 April - Wednesday 13 April

Paris and Amsterdam

Paris Opera Ballet
Seven Sonatas (Ratmansky), Duo Concertant (Balanchine), Other Dances (Robbins), In Creases (Peck)Romeo and Juliet (Nureyev)Dutch National Ballet Apollo, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Tarantella, Theme and Variations (all Balanchine)Metaforen, Two, Two, Gold Variations, Adagio Hammerklavier (all van Manen)
The itinerary would be very similar to the Paris Amsterdam trip we did in 2014, click here. Price will be different because of one extra ballet performance, one day longer trip, possible increases in trip components, and changes in the exchange rate (although if you are American this is in your favour), but this will give you a ballpark idea.

One of Canada's greatest ballerinas, renowned for her sublime artistry, Evelyn Hart is launching a summer intensive program July 6 to August 1, Mon-Fri: 10 - 6 pm Sat: 10 - 1 pm. An incredible opportunity for any teenagers who are serious about ballet. For info, visit her website, http://www.evelynhart.ca/curriculum.html

 Thursday 19 March at 730 pm Russian time, there will be a live ballet stream from the Mariinsky in St. Petersburg over the following link: http://mariinsky.tv/n/e
St Petersburg is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Time at the moment, so this will start at 1230 pm in Toronto. The webcasts seem to be archived for a short while after the live transmission. For program click here
 
Please inquire if you missed the deadline but would like to join 14 other balletomanes on this trip. For more info, click here.
 

Justin Peck's Ballet 422 screening in Toronto and the US

This film depicting the collaborative creative enterprise taking a ballet from nothing to opening night is fabulous, and its run has been extended. Go see it. For more info, click here. Justin Peck's choreography will be featured on both my NY May trip and the Saratoga Springs trip. 
 

Mark Morris's L'Allegro... on PBS Great Performances March 27

Set your digital recorders! Do not miss this amazing life-affirming dance work. Broadcast times may (almost certainly will) vary according to your PBS station.

For more info, click here.


Casting for National Ballet of Canada Alice's Adventures in Wonderland


You can help support a short dance film of the 2013 creation Being and Nothingness (Part 1), set on Greta Hodgkinson and choreographed by Guillaume Côté, by contributing to their Kickstarter campaign before March 31, donations start at only $10. For more info, click here.

Rollicking Story of the English Language Course
If you loved my ballet appreciation courses, just imagine how much fun the English language can be! For more info about my very popular “Story of English” course this spring, click here.

Video
The fabulous Joaquin de Luz of New York City Ballet, whom you can see in either New York or Saratoga Springs:


Katherine Barber
Tours en l'air Ballet Holidays
201 Hanson St, Toronto, ON Canada M4C 1A7 416.693.4496
BALLET MAKES LIFE BETTER
GET MORE BALLET OUT OF LIFE WITH TOURS EN L'AIR

Privacy policy: we will not sell, rent, or give your name or address to anyone. You can unsubscribe at any point by emailing me with the subject line UNSUBSCRIBE.