National Ballet of Canada

National Ballet of Canada, the leading Canadian ballet company. Based in Toronto, it was founded (1951) by Celia Franca (1921–2007) and modeled on Sadler's Wells (now the Royal Ballet). Its repertoire is grounded on classics in the tradition of Sergei Diaghilev and Sir Frederick Ashton but it also presents and encourages the development of contemporary works. Karen Kain has been artistic director since 2005; since 2006 the company's home performance hall has been the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Canada's National Ballet School is it's teaching arm.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Dance