Lighting Designer

Experience the emotional depth and breathtaking beauty of "Giselle," performed by The National Ballet of Canada. This quintessential Romantic ballet, staged by Sir Peter Wright, captures the essence of love, deceit, and forgiveness through the tragic story of Giselle, a young country girl caught in a devastating love triangle. Set against Adolphe Adam's haunting score, the ballet unfolds in a world where the supernatural blends with the all-too-human, culminating in a powerful testament to the redemptive power of love.

Running from November 20 to 24, 2024, this production brings to life the tale of Giselle, who falls deeply in love with Albrecht, a nobleman disguised as a villager. Unaware of his true identity and his existing engagement, Giselle's heartbreak leads her to a tragic end, only to be summoned from the grave by the Wilis, vengeful spirits of women betrayed. In a dramatic twist, the purity of Giselle's love offers a chance for redemption in a story that has captivated audiences for centuries.

Featuring exquisite choreography, inspired by the original works of Jean Coralli and Marius Petipa, and set to the evocative music of Adolphe Adam, this production showcases the talents of The National Ballet of Canada's dancers, alongside stunning set and costume designs by Desmond Heeley, and atmospheric lighting by Gil Wechsler. 

Don't miss this timeless masterpiece, a highlight of the ballet season, and a testament to the enduring power of classical dance. Tickets are available now for this limited engagement. Join us for a performance that promises to be both a visual and emotional spectacle, celebrating the art of ballet at its most profound and moving.

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Giselle

Canadian Opera Company

La Bohème

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Franco Zeffirelli’s dazzling vision of mythic China retakes the stage, with soprano Elena Pankratova making her Met debut as the legendary—and lethal—title princess, opposite tenor SeokJong Baek as the valiant prince who puts his life on the line to win her love. Later in the spring, a pair of audience favorites, soprano Christine Goerke and tenor Roberto Alagna, assume the starring roles. Sopranos Gabriella Reyes, Aleksandra Kurzak, and Olga Kulchynska alternate as Liù, with basses Vitalij Kowaljow, Peixin Chen, and Soloman Howard as Timur. Maestro Oksana Lyniv makes her Met debut leading Puccini’s rousing score, sharing conducting duties with Marco Armiliato.

Turandot

Lincoln Center

Following his heroic performance as Siegfried in the Met’s 2019 Ring cycle, dashing Austrian tenor Andreas Schager returns as the knight Tannhäuser in Wagner’s ravishing opera of love, lust, and redemption. Soprano Elza van den Heever is the pure and virtuous princess Elisabeth, alongside mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova as the tempting goddess of love, Venus. Maestro Donald Runnicles takes the podium for Otto Schenk’s classic production, which also features baritone Christian Gerhaher in his Met debut as Tannhäuser’s companion knight Wolfram and bass Georg Zeppenfeld as Landgraf Hermann.

Tannhäuser

Puccini’s timeless tragedy returns with three dynamic duos as the bohemian lovers. Sopranos Federica Lombardi, Anita Hartig, and Elena Stikhina alternate as the heartbreaking seamstress Mimì, and tenors Matthew Polenzani, Stephen Costello, and Joseph Calleja share the role of the love-struck poet Rodolfo. Sopranos Olga Kulchynska, Heidi Stober, and Kristina Mkhitaryan and baritones Adam Plachetka and Alexey Markov are the tempestuous lovers Musetta and Marcello, and maestros Carlo Rizzi and Marco Armiliato take the podium to oversee Franco Zeffirelli’s magnificent production.

Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Puccini’s timeless tragedy for the first time at the Met, leading soprano Eleonora Buratto and tenor Stephen Costello as the bohemian lovers Mimì and Rodolfo, and soprano Kristina Mkhitaryan and baritone Davide Luciano as the on-again-off-again Musetta and Marcello. Later in the run, James Gaffigan takes the podium to conduct a second exceptional cast in Franco Zeffirelli’s beloved staging, with sopranos Susanna Phillips and Latonia Moore, tenor Charles Castronovo, and baritone Quinn Kelsey.

Poulenc’s devastating tragedy returns, with soprano Ailyn Pérez as the young woman at the center of the harrowing, quasi-historical tale of an order of Carmelite nuns martyred in Paris during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. The remarkable cast also features soprano Sabine Devieilhe in her Met debut as Blanche’s fellow novice Constance, soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek as the unshakeable Madame Lidoine, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton as Mère Marie, and mezzo-soprano Alice Coote in her role debut as Madame de Croissy. Maestro Bertrand de Billy conducts John Dexter’s striking and timeless staging.

Dialogues des Carmélites

The mighty walls and towering monuments of ancient Egypt once again fill the Met stage, as Verdi’s great spectacle returns. Soprano Latonia Moore—hailed for her performances in Porgy and Bess and Fire Shut Up in My Bones—stars as the Ethiopian princess torn between love and country, sharing the role with rising soprano Michelle Bradley. Mezzo-sopranos Anita Rachvelishvili and Olesya Petrova alternate as Aida’s implacable Egyptian counterpart Amneris, with tenors Brian Jagde and Marcelo Álvarez as the warrior Radamès, the object of both of their affections. Baritones George Gagnidze, Quinn Kelsey, and Luca Salsi portray Aida’s father, Amonasro, and bass-baritone Christian Van Horn is the iron-fisted priest Ramfis. Maestro Paolo Carignani conducts.

Aida

The opera that announced the young Mozart’s genius to the world returns to the Met stage, with acclaimed maestro Manfred Honeck making a notable company debut on the podium. A distinguished cast of leading Mozarteans comes together to bring the moving drama and dazzling arias to life, with tenor Michael Spyres in the title role of the ancient Cretan king, alongside mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey as the noble prince Idamante and soprano Ying Fang as his conflicted beloved, Ilia. Soprano Federica Lombardi is the jealous Elettra, who loses her senses in a mad scene of virtuosic rage.

Idomeneo

Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska stars in the title role of the legendary cold-hearted princess—seen live in cinemas on May 7. Tenor Yonghoon Lee is the bold prince determined to win Turandot’s love, alongside soprano Ermonela Jaho as the devoted servant Liù legendary bass Ferruccio Furlanetto as the blind king Timur. Marco Armiliato conducts Puccini’s stirring score.

Experience the ethereal beauty and emotional depth of classical ballet with The National Ballet of Canada's production of "Giselle." This quintessential Romantic ballet, a masterpiece of love, deceit, and redemption, is set to captivate audiences in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre from January 30 to February 1, 2025.

"Giselle" tells the poignant story of a young country girl caught in a tragic love triangle, leading to her untimely death and transformation into a Wili, a spirit seeking vengeance. Yet, it is the purity of her love that ultimately brings about forgiveness and salvation. This production, celebrated for its emotional intensity and psychological drama, showcases Sir Peter Wright's acclaimed staging and the evocative score by Adolphe Adam, promising a ballet experience that is as moving as it is beautiful.

Under the choreography and production of Sir Peter Wright, after the original works of Jean Coralli and Marius Petipa, and set to the music of Adolphe Adam, this staging of "Giselle" has been hailed as a timeless masterpiece. The performances are supported by the exquisite set and costume design of Desmond Heeley, with lighting by Gil Wechsler, ensuring that every moment on stage is visually stunning.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the National Ballet of Canada's rendition of "Giselle," a ballet that continues to resonate with audiences for its profound narrative and breathtaking dance. Stay tuned for ticketing information and be sure to sign up for the Ballet News email newsletter to be the first to know when casting is announced. Join us for a memorable journey through love and redemption in the haunting world of "Giselle."

Gil Wechsler

Lighting Designer

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 13, 2024 - Jun 6, 2025

La Bohème · The Metropolitan Opera

20 - 24 Nov, 2024

Giselle · The National Ballet of Canada

Jan 30 - Feb 1, 2025

On Tour: Ottawa National Arts Centre · The National Ballet of Canada

Past events

20 - 24 Nov, 2024

Giselle · The National Ballet of Canada

Nov 13, 2024 - Jun 6, 2025

La Bohème · The Metropolitan Opera

About

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