Three internationally-renowned choreographers return to Ballet BC in Trace, a triple-bill program playing at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre March 26-28, 2015. This evening of works includes the Canadian Premiere of William Forsythe’s workwithinwork, a World Premiere by Walter Matteini, and the return of audience-favourite Petite Cérémonie by Medhi Walerski.

William Forsythe galvanized the dance world with his brilliant, innovative thinking, catapulting him into the international spotlight with his dynamic, 21st century approach to the art form. Set to the intimate Duo for two Violins by Luciano Berio, workwithinwork is a superb example of Forsythe’s iconic style – using craft and imagination to interpret space with sophistication and curiosity. Forsythe’s works are featured in the repertoire of virtually every major company in the world and Ballet BC is proud to bring workwithinwork to Canadian audiences.

Walter Matteini’s World Premiere plays with the light and dark sides of human nature, with Matteini describing his work as living “near the border where everything takes a new form. One step moves you from the light into the darkness...where whispers take volume and become music [creating] the soundtrack of our most hidden thoughts and intimate hopes.” One of Italy’s most dynamic dancemakers, Matteini is an important voice who has worked with many international companies, including Aterballetto, National Ballet of Marseille, Monte Carlo Ballet, and the Lyon Opera Ballet.

Medhi Walerski’s Petite Cérémonie first captivated Vancouver audiences when it premiered in 2011 and has delighted audiences across North America, ever since. Included in Ballet BC’s 2015 Eastern Canadian tour, Petite Cérémonie returns to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre to complement the Trace program. A surprising mix of dance and theatre, resulting in a dazzling landscape of movement and ideas, Petite Cérémonie is, at once, thought provoking and humorous. An imaginative comment on relationships and the proposition of ‘life in a box’, critics applauded Walerski’s work, calling it “the talk of the night” and “a delirious mix of everything ... an absurd and sublime dance [where] every component [is] seemingly incongruous yet part of a satisfying whole.”

Each of these works within the Trace program exemplifies Ballet BC’s commitment to creating innovative and vital contemporary ballet with an international perspective. Ballet BC Artistic Director, Emily Molnar, states, “We are proud to have built important relationships with revered choreographers from around the world. As a result, we bring a diversity of choreographic voices to Ballet BC whose works create an intriguing dynamic within our repertoire. Trace is another example of our commitment to international collaborations, delivering unique experiences to Vancouver audiences.”

About Ballet BC

Combining classical integrity with a contemporary sensibility, Ballet BC is a company of 18 talented dancers from Canada and around the world that is committed to the ballet of today. Solidly grounded in the rigour and artistry of classical ballet, with an emphasis on innovation and the immediacy of the 21st century, the company presents a distinct and diverse repertoire of the most sought-after Canadian and international contemporary ballet choreography. Ballet BC continues its commitment to perform highly acclaimed productions on regional, national and international tours in addition to its regular performance season at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. For more information, visit balletbc.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter @balletbc.