Described as “simply breathtaking” by The Chicago Sun-Times, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet brims with the expansive spirit of the American West. Making its NAC debut, ASFB performs three works commissioned by the company and developed on its dancers. Repertoire includes Square None, by award-winning young dancemaker Norbert De La Cruz III, Last by Alejandro Cerrudo, and The Heart(s)pace by Nicolo Fonte. Aspen Santa Fe Ballet performs in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on Saturday May 23 at 8 p.m.

ABOUT SQUARE NONE
Square None was commissioned by the company from Norbert De La Cruz III, who was discovered at The Juilliard School when he was just 22 years old. Square None is vibrant, with quick and intricate choreography, the mood sometimes whimsical, sometimes austere. The piece has neo-Baroque costumes (by Austin Scarlett of Project Runway) and is set to glorious arias by Handel as well as contemporary electronica. Cruz’s choreography fits the dancers like a glove, showing them as supple, athletic, and larger-than-life. This piece was an instant hit, winning De La Cruz the coveted 2012 Princess Grace Foundation award for choreography.

SQUARE NONE (2012)
CHOREOGRAPHY Norbert De La Cruz III
MUSIC Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto, Michelle Ross, George Frederic Handel, Aphex Twin
COSTUME DESIGN Austin Scarlett
LIGHTING DESIGN Seah Johnson
DURATION 19 minutes
 

ABOUT LAST
Last is an entertaining, abstract piece of poetic, sculptural stillness, introverted and mysterious, featuring deeply romantic duets using a characteristic glide, feigning flight across a frictionless floor. Last was commissioned by ASFB from Alejandro Cerrudo, resident choreographer for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Inspired by the natural beauty of Aspen, the choreographer set the lyrical ballet to the dramatic "Kleines Requiem fur eine Polka" by Polish composer Henryk Górecki. 

LAST (2012)
CHOREOGRAPHY Alejandro Cerrudo
MUSIC Henryk Górecki
COSTUME DESIGN Branimira Ivanova
LIGHTING DESIGN Seah Johnson
DURATION 19 minutes

ABOUT THE HEART(S)PACE
When Nicolo Fonte’s The Heart(s)pace premiered on Valentine's Day 2014, he called it a love letter to the company, a warm and exuberant statement of appreciation to the ensemble that has supported his artistic vision for almost 15 years. The Heart(s)pace addresses all aspects of the heart, love, life, and light – the love of humankind and compassion as well as the physical organ in the body. The ballet was inspired by the death of Fonte’s father, of heart failure, and of the yoga practice of heart-based openings and spiritual connection. Set to an energetic score, it’s a joyful, upbeat, and complex work, flooded with the golden glow of sunlight informing movement that is beautifully flowing and lyrical.

THE HEART(S)PACE (2104)
CHOREOGRAPHY Nicolo Fonte
MUSIC Ezio Bosso
COSTUME DESIGN Christine Joly De Lotbinière
LIGHTING DESIGN Seah Johnson

ABOUT ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET
Exuding tremendous musicality and Olympian athleticism, 12 versatile young dancers display the confident technique and electrifying energy of the next generation of contemporary ballet. Aspen Santa Fe Ballet stands out as a model of what a small ballet company should be, performing an eclectic repertoire of pieces by some of the world’s foremost choreographers. The company exudes a European aesthetic charged with American vigour. ASFB's commitment to commissioning new works has forged the company's unique identity for 18 years. Since 1996, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet has commissioned over 27 new works from Jorma Elo, Nicolo Fonte, Trey McIntyre, Moses Pendleton, Dwight Rhoden, and Cayetano Soto, among others.

 

ACTIVITIES FOR DANCE STUDENTS

Masterclass with Jean-Philippe Malaty, Executive Director of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet.
Saturday, May 23 from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
For intermediate/advanced-level ballet students (aged 14 and up).
Register online at http://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12053

Sponsors
NAC Dance would like to thank Hotel Partner, the Lord Elgin Hotel, and Performance Sponsor, Julie Teskey Re/Max Metro City Realty Ltd.

 

TICKETS AND PERFORMANCES
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet perform Last, Square None, and The Heart(s)pace in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on Saturday May 23 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $41, $56, $70, and $85 for adults and $22.50, $30, $37, and $44.50 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card).
Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices; to reserve your seats, call 613 947-7000 x634, or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

Tickets are available for purchase:

• in person at the NAC Box Office
• at all Ticketmaster outlets *
• by telephone from Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS)
• online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca) *

* A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster.