Royal Winnipeg Ballet

The longest continuously running ballet company in North America, Royal Winnipeg Ballet is one of the leading ballet companies in Canada. Known for their technical superiority, spectacular dancing and versatile performances, the productions from the company are a delight to watch. For a chance to see their fabulous shows get Royal Winnipeg Ballet tickets.
 
The foundations for the present day organization were laid in 1939 by two talented dance teachers Gweneth Lloyd and Betty Farrally. First performance by the company was in a 1939 pageant planned for British Royal family’s visit to Canada. The distinguished company was granted the official title of royal in 1953, a first for a ballet company in British Commonwealth. With history spanning over seventy years Royal Winnipeg Ballet has given various commendable productions which include Svengali, Rose Latulippe, Wonderland, The Shinning People of Leonard Cohen, Swan Lake, Giselle and Moulin Rouge-The Ballet.
 
Starting off under the name Winnipeg Ballet Club, the company changed its name in 1941 to Winnipeg Ballet. Performing at regular performances and national tours soon the company won over audience with its short ballets. Since then the company has created a niche for itself and has build a profile as one of the major ballet companies in the world. To date the extravaganza of the company with graceful and passionate performances is bringing pleasure to the audience. Earlier the company was being run by its founders but in 1949 due to financial reasons the company had to be reorganized and came to be governed by a board of directors. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet saw some setbacks in the complete destruction of its sets, costumes, music and choreographic score in 1954. After effective fundraising the company was back in business in 1955 but further setbacks came when one after the other three directors left due to conflicts with the board of directors.
 
These setbacks were short lived and Arnold Sphor after being appointed as the director in 1958 took the success of the company to new heights. It was under his direction that the company found international recognition in the sixties and seventies. Instilling high standards in the company Sphor in his more than thirty year long career also expanded the company’s selections within the genre of ballet. The quality standards set by the director have stayed with the company and are still evident in the creativity and technical superiority of the productions which are par excellence. Many notable dancers have been linked with the company which includes David Peregrine, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Alicia Markova. The very talented ballerina Evelyn Hart also started her career at the company in 1976 and went on to win worldwide acclaim and awards for her performance.
 
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet has played an important role in restoring of ballet in Canada. A step towards this was the company taking the lead in 1948 for the establishing of the Canadian Ballet Festival. The prestigious company set up its own dance school in 1962 and also set up a professional training division in 1970. The company has built its legacy hiring master choreographers like Jorden Morris, Brian McDonald, John Neumeier, Agnes de Millie and Hans van Mane. These choreographers have brought supreme quality and unique range to the productions. The company’s productions having variety in style and theme demonstrate the professional excellence which is trademark of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. The powerful music, awe inspiring dances, spectacular dresses, and captivating choreography all make any performance by the Winnipeg Royal Ballet a treat.
 
Broadening the sphere of their field the Royal Winnipeg Ballet has successfully taken the work of the famous Leonard Cohen’s to the stage. The company’s version of Dracula after winning acclaim has been very successful adapted for television and has also been released theatrically. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet has had the honor of commissioning two pieces for the British Queen on her visit to Canada in 2000. These two pieces of work were well received and also broadcast on television.
 
The company producing more than seventy shows a year ranging from contemporary to classic has something for everyone. Get cheap Royal Winnipeg Ballet tickets to enjoy the artistic offerings of the company.