The national ballet of canadas artistic director, karen kain, is responsible for organizing the companys performances the upcoming season consists of classic ballets, such as romeo and juliet, and brand new works, such as le petit prince after reading each ballets description, i decided to share my top three choices for national ballet of canada performances to attend. Karen kain, dancerturnedartistic director, to retire from national. The walter carsen centre for the national ballet of canada 470 queens quay west toronto, ontario m5v 3k4 416 345 9686 venue. However, in this 1976 clip from giselle, the distinguished ballerina is convincingly na. I only know some parts of the nutcracker story and that it is a ballet. Karen kain to retire from national ballet of canada castor. Considered a holiday classic, the nutcracker is a mustsee performance.
Hoffmann, in which young marie stahlbaums favourite christmas toy, the nutcracker, comes alive and, after defeating the evil mouse king in battle, whisks her away to a magical kingdom populated by dolls. Karen kain makes a welcome return in the role of snow queen or sugar plum fairy in the national ballet of canadas production of the nutcracker in. Mar 24, 2020 karen kain, canadian ballet dancer who became one of canadas finest and most internationally renowned dancers and a respected public figure. At the age of six, her mother enrolled her in ballet school. Jun 22, 2017 karen kain is internationally renowned as a performer and as the national ballet of canadas artistic director. She continued working with the national ballet of canada nbc beyond her retirement as a ballerina, eventually becoming. Kain s mother enrolled her daughter in ballet training because she believed it would improve her postural alignment, poise, and discipline. Hamiltonborn karen kain, dancerturnedartistic director, to. Hamiltonborn karen kain, dancerturnedartistic director, to retire from national ballet of canada in 2021 by the canadian press sun. Karen kain to retire from national ballet of canada the. Karen alexandria kain cc oont born march 28, 1951 is a canadian former ballet dancer, and the artistic director of the national ballet of canada. When we meet them they are a quarrelsome pair, constantly fighting, but as their magical journey unfolds they learn to work together.
Learn how shes leading the national ballet to great heights. Karen kain, dancerturnedartistic director, to retire. The national ballet is now in demand around the world, receiving accolades from audiences and critics in moscow. National ballet postpones karen kains staging of swan. Artistic director karen kain on the companys deep history with rudolf nureyevs the sleeping beauty. A magnificent addition to any family, school, or community library christmas picturebook collection, the nutcracker is a classic christmas story that is beautifully retold by internationally renowned ballerina karen kain and marvelously illustrated by the museum quality artwork of rajka kupesic. Karen kain to retire from national ballet of canada. Kains mother enrolled her daughter in ballet training because she believed it would improve her postural alignment, poise, and discipline.
The nutcracker holiday events national ballet of canada. The ballets board of directors says kain will step down from the post, but remain. A magnificent addition to any family, school, or community library christmas picture book collection, the nutcracker is a classic christmas story that is beautifully retold by internationally renowned ballerina karen kain and marvelously illustrated by the museum quality artwork of rajka kupesic. Three years later, in 1962, she began training at the national ballet school of canada, which at the time was run by betty oliphant. Karen kain was born in 1951 in hamilton, ontario, the oldest of four children. Mar 08, 2018 karen kain has a very personal connection to the sleeping beauty as a young ballerina, dancing the lead role in the classical ballet under the exacting demands of rudolf nureyev helped catapult. The naked ambition of national ballet artistic director. His vision of the nutcracker is elegantly told by karen kain and beautifully rendered by artist rajka kupesic, herself a ballet dancer. A magnificent addition to any family, school, or community library christmas picturebook collection, the nutcracker is a classic christmas story that is beautifully retold by internationally renowned ballerina karen kain and marvelously illustrated by. Dec 01, 2005 a magnificent addition to any family, school, or community library christmas picturebook collection, the nutcracker is a classic christmas story that is beautifully retold by internationally renowned ballerina karen kain and marvelously illustrated by the museum quality artwork of rajka kupesic. Colleagues and loved ones reflect on the career of karen kain, the famed ballet dancer, who will be the first canadian to receive the queen elizabeth ii coronation award. National ballet postpones karen kains staging of swan lake.
I also knew that the nutcracker was a prince, there were mice, and a sugar plum fairy, but. Karen kain and the sleeping beauty the national ballet. Oct 11, 2005 a magnificent addition to any family, school, or community library christmas picture book collection, the nutcracker is a classic christmas story that is beautifully retold by internationally renowned ballerina karen kain and marvelously illustrated by the museum quality artwork of rajka kupesic. Karen kain and the sleeping beauty the national ballet of. The naked ambition of national ballet artistic director karen. Oct 28, 2019 on friday, national ballet of canada announced that artistic director karen kain will step down in january 2021 to become artistic director emeritus. The nutcracker ia a classic christmas story that is beautifully told by internationally renowned ballerina karen kain and marvelously illustrated by the museum quality artwork by. A new version of swan lake that was to be a key part of karen kain s national ballet of canada farewell has been postponed due to the covid19 outbreak. A new version of swan lake that was to be a key part of karen kains national ballet of canada farewell has been postponed due to the covid19 outbreak. In her 28 years of dancing with the national ballet of canada nbc, she won renown for her strong technique, breadth of movement, sensitive musicality, daring attack and versatile dramatic ability. Karen kain will revamp swan lake for the national ballet.
The nutcracker karen kain paintings by rajka kupesic based on the james kudelkanational ballet of canada production picture book ages 4 and up tundra books, 2005, 088776696x misha and marie are always squabbling. Karen kain retired from dancing after nearly thirtyeight wonderful years of ballet dance. The nutcracker synopsis the national ballet of canada. Marius petipas twoact ballet the nutcracker premiered in russia in 1892 set to original music by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky, the final of his three fulllength ballet scores. Karen kain 50th anniversary the national ballet of canada. Karen kain is an internationally renowned ballerina who became principal dancer with the national ballet of canada in 1970.
Karen kain to become first canadian to receive international. Karen kains version of the wellloved story is based on artistic director james kudelkas national ballet production of the nutcracker and is. The national ballet of canada will present a fresh take on the classic swan lake from karen kain, a 50year veteran of the toronto company, in her directorial debut in a statement, the artistic. The nutcracker get tickets national ballet of canada. Kain is motivated by her desire to carry out the message of ballet to everyone from all backgrounds and all nationalities. Karen kain is an extraordinary artist and an extraordinary leader, wright said. Karen kain is one of canadas finest and most internationally renowned dancers. The nutcracker ia a classic christmas story that is beautifully told by internationally renowned ballerina karen kain and marvelously illustrated by the museum quality artwork by rajka kupesic. Karen kain archives penguin random house canada young. A hoffmanns story, the nutcracker and the mouse king.
Praise a magnificent addition to any family, school, or community library christmas picture book collection, the nutcracker is a classic christmas story that is beautifully retold by internationally renowned ballerina karen kain and marvelously illustrated by the museum quality artwork of rajka kupesic. Now a national treasure, karen kain brought canadian dance to the worlds stage in the 1970s. Ballet superstar karen kain will retire as artistic director of the national ballet of canada in january, 2021. But the story itself is much older and its original intent more complex. Karen alexandria kain, cc, oont, dancer, artistic director, arts administrator born 28 march 1951 in hamilton, on. National ballet artistic director karen kain retiring in. Karen kain is internationally renowned as a performer and as the national ballet of canadas artistic director. From there, karen kain, the 63yearold artistic director of the national ballet of canada, surveys her dancers, assessing every arabesque, wincing at every shaky landing. The nutcracker written by karen kain illustrated by rajka kupesic isbn 9780887766961 all ages hardcover one of canadas great ballerinas brings the verve, grace and sensibility she brought to ballet to her retelling of tchaikovskys the nutcracker. The dancers of the nboc are highly trained elite athletes who would never be able to perform every night after training and rehearsing during the. Karen kain, in full karen alexandria kain, born march 28, 1951, hamilton, ontario, canada, canadian ballet dancer who became one of canadas finest and most internationally renowned dancers and a respected public figure. I do not hire overly thin dancers or those with eating disorders, she says.
The former nboc principal always carries herself with the grace and sophistication of a true leader. Mar 05, 2015 from there, karen kain, the 63yearold artistic director of the national ballet of canada, surveys her dancers, assessing every arabesque, wincing at every shaky landing. This year the national ballet of canada celebrates the 20th anniversary of its nutcracker performance. Oct 27, 2019 hamiltonborn karen kain, dancerturnedartistic director, to retire from national ballet of canada in 2021 by the canadian press sun. May 15, 2011 a magnificent addition to any family, school, or community library christmas picture book collection, the nutcracker is a classic christmas story that is beautifully retold by internationally renowned ballerina karen kain and marvelously illustrated by the museum quality artwork of rajka kupesic. Karen kain s version of the wellloved story is based on artistic director james kudelkas national ballet production of the nutcracker and is dedicated, as might be expected, to the dancers of the national ballet of canada as well as to the students, staff and musicians of the national ballet school. National ballet of canada artistic director karen kain refutes the suggestion that her company is skinnyobsessed. Choreographed by james kudelka, this charming ballet tells the story of two siblings and their magical journey on christmas eve.
James kudelkas adaptation changes the focus of hoffmanns story from a little girl, clara, to two siblings, marie and misha. Karen kain exploring the world one stage at a time. Karen kain will revamp swan lake for the national ballet of. The nutcracker by karen kain, rajka kupesic, hardcover.
Becoming the sugar plum fairy the national ballet of. On friday, national ballet of canada announced that artistic director karen kain will step down in january 2021 to become artistic director emeritus. The national ballet of canada karen kain celebrating 10 years as art director menu. Hodgkinsons final roles will include upcoming performances in giselle and the nutcracker. James kudelkas adaptation changes the focus of hoffmans story from a little girl, clara, to two siblings, marie and misha. Ballet superstar karen kain will retire as artistic director of the national ballet of canada in january 2021 but will remain with the company as. For karen kain, the national ballets sleeping beauty is. Act i its the night before christmas in 19thcentury russia, and marie, misha, their parents and their beloved nursemaid baba are busy preparing for the annual christmas eve party at their country estate. Karen kain has a very personal connection to the sleeping beauty as a young ballerina, dancing the lead role in the classical ballet under the exacting demands of rudolf nureyev helped catapult.
A visual history of the nutcracker in 100 photos huffpost. Karen kains version of the wellloved story is based on artistic director james kudelkas national ballet production of the nutcracker and is dedicated, as might be expected, to the dancers of the national ballet of canada as well as to the students, staff and musicians of the national ballet school. A grand jewel, the sleeping beauty is one of the most significant works in the. She continued working with the national ballet of canada nbc beyond her retirement as a ballerina, eventually becoming the companys artistic director in. Oct 25, 2019 ballet superstar karen kain will retire as artistic director of the national ballet of canada in january, 2021. Hamiltonborn karen kain, dancerturnedartistic director. Kains dancing career was an incredible, amazing and respected one. Aug 25, 2019 colleagues and loved ones reflect on the career of karen kain, the famed ballet dancer, who will be the first canadian to receive the queen elizabeth ii coronation award. Kain retired from the role of the swan queen in 1994.
Karen kain to retire as national ballet of canadas artistic. Jun 30, 2016 national ballet of canada artistic director karen kain refutes the suggestion that her company is skinnyobsessed. Misha and marie are thrilled that christmas is coming. Karen kain to retire as national ballet of canadas. Jun 05, 2015 artistic director karen kain on the companys deep history with rudolf nureyevs the sleeping beauty.
Kain, who has served as artistic director since 2005, joined nboc as a dancer in 1969 and went on to become one of the companys most beloved stars, often dancing alongside rudolf nureyev. One of canadas bestloved and most respected dancers, karen kains rise to ballet stardom is an inspirational story of dedication and passion. In her 28 years of dancing with the national ballet of canada. The original stories behind everyones favorite christmas ballet it wasnt until the 1950s that seeing the nutcracker at christmastime became an american tradition. Its a frosty night, the neighbors are all invited, and peter the stable boy is sweeping the barn in preparation for the dancing to come.
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