CALGARY - Francesco Ventriglia has been selected as the Alberta Ballet’s next artistic director. Alberta Ballet is one of the oldest resident companies of the Jubilee Auditoria and its standing company of 40 professional dancers attracts talent from around the world. The company performs its mainstage season in Calgary and Edmonton and is proud to fulfill a provincial mandate.

A choreographer of classical and contemporary ballet, Ventriglia has had works performed internationally by companies such as La Scala Ballet, Arena di Verona, Bolshoi Theatre, the Mariinsky Ballet, Grande Théâtre du Genève, Royal New Zealand Ballet, the National Ballet of Uruguay, and at the Venice Biennale. As Artistic Director of New Zealand Ballet (2014-17), he expanded and mounted The Wizard of Oz, a work regarded as one of the most successful productions created for the company.

Of his appointment to Alberta Ballet, Ventriglia said: “I am thrilled and deeply honored to join Alberta Ballet as the next Artistic Director. Having come to know this company, I eagerly anticipate collaborating with its remarkably talented artists. I am grateful for this opportunity to bring to fruition some incredible dreams alongside the company, where we can honor the past while crafting an extraordinary future together. The future shines brightly for Alberta Ballet, and I couldn't be more excited to be part of it. I am eager to explore Canada and the remarkable stories that hold a special place in the hearts of Albertans.”

The assignment is immediate, from this January, Ventriglia will work with the company where rehearsals are underway for Alberta Ballet’s March and May performances: Hansel and Gretel, followed by Der Wolf and The Rite of Spring.

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