Ballet Vancouver opens its 2026/27 inaugural season with a panoramic triple invoice spanning extraordinary inventive vary and putting virtuosity in Balanchine’s Apollo & Different Works, on stage September 11, 2026 at 7:30pm and September 12, 2026 at 2pm and seven:30pm, on the Vancouver Playhouse.
This system is anchored by internationally acclaimed Principal dancers Heather Ogden of The Nationwide Ballet of Canada, and Sasha de Sola and Francesco Gabriele Frola of San Francisco Ballet. It additionally marks the corporate debuts of former Royal Winnipeg Ballet Second Soloist Amanda Solheim, former Alberta Ballet dancer Mya Kresnyak, former Royal New Zealand Ballet artist Harry Peterson, former Ballet BC artist Jordan Lang and rising artist Nathan Bear, and former Ballet Edmonton dancers Paula Cobo Botello and Nolan Fahey.
The blended program consists of probably the most carried out and revered works in ballet historical past, Balanchine’s Apollo, a neoclassical staple that has not been carried out in Vancouver in practically 4 a long time; the spellbinding Black Swan Pas de Deux, probably the most iconic scenes from the beloved traditional Swan Lake; and the Canadian premiere of Jorma Elo’s trendy masterpiece Slice to Sharp.
“Our first program of our first full season is, in some ways, a homecoming,” says Ballet Vancouver Creative Director Joshua Beamish. “Heather Ogden and lots of of our new firm artists started their coaching proper right here in Vancouver earlier than ascending to among the world’s most celebrated phases, and it means a lot to welcome them again to town the place their tales started. This program is an announcement of what’s doable — that Vancouver is usually a place the place world-class ballet is created, not simply admired from afar. For too lengthy, classically-trained dancers within the metropolis have needed to go away dwelling to pursue an expert profession, and we’re proud to be altering that.”
Balanchine’s Apollo & Different Works opens with the uncommon alternative to see Balanchine’s Apollo, a neoclassical masterwork that provides a technically rigorous ballet detailing the God of Music’s ascent to Mount Olympus, set to a melodic rating by Stravinsky. Initially created for Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes earlier than getting into the repertoire of New York Metropolis Ballet, Apollo has been a staple of main ballet firms worldwide for practically a century — and returns to Vancouver for the primary time since Ballet BC carried out the work 38 years in the past, and the primary Balanchine work seen within the metropolis since Miami Metropolis Ballet’s go to in 2015.
Ballet Vancouver’s presentation is staged by Creative Director Peter Boal of Seattle’s Pacific Northwest Ballet, a former New York Metropolis Ballet Principal dancer, and options visitor Principal dancer Heather Ogden of The Nationwide Ballet of Canada — a Richmond Academy of Dance alumna. The Vancouver reprise can even be carried out by Jonatan Lujan (Met Opera Ballet, Ballet Argentino, Ballet Zurich) and Stephanie Petersen (previously of American Ballet Theatre); in addition to by Amanda Solheim — a Surrey-raised dancer who just lately left her put up as Second Soloist with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet to return dwelling and be part of Ballet Vancouver — alternating with firm member Paula Cobo Botello, previously of Ballet Edmonton.
This system continues with the Black Swan Pas de Deux, choreographed by Marius Petipa. Well-known for the ballerina’s 32 fast fouetté turns, this thrilling Swan Lake duet shall be carried out by San Francisco Ballet Principal dancers Sasha de Sola and Francesco Gabriele Frola. Collectively, they create a uncommon convergence of technical mastery and inventive depth. Set to Tchaikovsky’s electrifying rating, the Black Swan Pas de Deux is a mesmerizing show of technical brilliance, because the Black Swan seduces Prince Siegfried together with her magnetic energy.
This system will conclude with the Canadian premiere of Jorma Elo’s Slice to Sharp, lauded by The New York Occasions as an “exhilarating train in flat-out virtuosity.” Elo, the Finnish-born resident choreographer of Boston Ballet, initially created the work for New York Metropolis Ballet’s Diamond Undertaking –– the corporate’s prestigious choreographic initiative for brand spanking new works. This high-energy ballet pushes its eight dancers to the sting of risk, as Elo defies expectation by setting his pulsing, frenetic motion to Baroque melodies from Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber and Antonio Vivaldi. Ballet Vancouver’s forged is led by Stephanie Petersen and Jonatan Lujan, with full casting to be introduced at a later date.
Ballet Vancouver will host pre-showtalks forward of all three performances within the higher foyer of the Vancouver Playhouse, moderated by Pia Lo. Opening evening, Friday, September 11 at 6:45pm, will characteristic Peter Boal, Jorma Elo, Nancy Euverink, and Joshua Beamish; Saturday, September 12 at 1:45pm, will characteristic Peter Boal and Joshua Beamish; and Saturday, September 12 at 6:45pm, will characteristic Ainslie Cyopik and Joshua Beamish.
For tickets and extra info, go to balletvancouver.com.
