A Portrait of Power, inspired by the Passion of Evita

Message from Alberta Ballet

CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON | Artistic Director

Welcome to our 2023/24 Season - a brilliant array of iconic tales and innovative new interpretations.

This season was conceived with all of Alberta in mind, and we are thrilled to start things off with the incredible Ballet Hispánico dancers under Eduardo Vilaro's artistic direction.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to welcome this leading Latinx arts organization to our stage, both for the artistry of this sharp and striking work and for the powerful mission guiding their activity. For over 50 years, Ballet Hispánico has been providing space for Latinx dance and dancers to flourish, using training, authenticity of voice and power of representation to fuel the organization’s trajectory. These goals come together powerfully in Doña Perón.

Doña Perón is a beautiful example of the type of new narratives being created right now. Powerful stories with thick and complex emotional undercurrents are excellent starting points for choreographers, and the internationally-acclaimed Annabelle Lopez Ochoa was an inspired choice to choreograph the dance that brings Eva Peron’s story to life. Alberta Ballet’s May production, BOTERO, was also choreographed by Annabelle, and I’m thrilled that we can share more of her limitless imagination with Alberta audiences!

I hope you enjoy the performance and encourage you to share your experience with us afterwards.

Message from Ballet Hispánico

EDUARDO VILARO | Artistic Director & CEO

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome! 

It is such a joy to be here in Canada - we are thrilled to bring our Doña Perón to you. I would like to take a moment to share my sincerest gratitude to the Alberta Ballet, Chris George, Christopher Anderson, Ashley McNeil, and all the Jubilee Auditorium staff for making this performance possible.

Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (who also created Alberta Ballet’s BOTERO from the 2022/23 season) has brought us Doña Perón, which furthers my vision to give place and voice to Latine choreographers. Annabelle’s work is an explosive portrait of Eva "Evita" Perón, one of the most recognizable and controversial women in Argentinian history. The illegitimate daughter of a prosperous farmer, Evita concealed her past as she rose from dancehall performer to Argentina's First Lady before her untimely death at the age of 33. Doña Perón brings to light the extremes of power at the forefront of Evita's life. Annabelle's first evening-length work for the Company, Doña Perón reclaims the narrative of the iconic Latina figure by a Latina choreographer; it’s a seminal work for Ballet Hispánico. 

So many thanks to all of you for joining us on this special night to celebrate our incredible artists. Your support of Ballet Hispánico is invaluable as we continue our work to build an inclusive community that celebrates and uplifts diversity, equity, and inclusion through our artistic practice.

¡Disfruten!

  • “...this turned out to be a milestone, a breakthrough: the company’s first evening-length production, and a striking one at that.”

    - The New York Times

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Synopsis

THE ICON

Evita delivers her final speech to the Descamisados. Suddenly, a vision of a young Evita takes us back in time. Faced by her Father and his other family, Evita is forced to relive the rejection and shame she faced early on in life.

ASCENSION

Evita arrives in Buenos Aires and dances seductively with several men, each more powerful than the last. As she climbs the social ladder, she transforms from a simple small-town girl to an elegant star, hungry for more. 

HIS MILITARY WORLD 

Evita attends a benefit surrounded by Argentina's powerful military and elite. The vision of the Young Evita appears again. Evita rushes to hide her from sight just in time to meet Juan Perón for the first time. 

EVITA'S WORLD OF RADIO 

Evita’s power increases as her popularity grows on the radio. She is in her element as a voice for the people. 

BUILDING PERÓN'S IMAGE 

Evita welcomes Juan Perón into her world using her access to the radio and prowess as a speaker to rally support around him. As he becomes more powerful, those against him rebel. The attempt to place Perón in political power fails, and Juan Perón ends in jail.

THE DESCAMISADOS - PERÓN IS FREED 

The Descamisados unite and give strength to a struggling Evita. She is emboldened by their calls and rises as an advocate. The support of the Descamisados free Perón from prison and starts a new chapter of power for the Peróns. They marry and Evita becomes the first lady of Argentina. As the Peróns' power grows they stifle and destroy all opposition. 

THE OLIGARCHS REJECT EVITA 

Evita tries to blend in amongst Argentina's oligarchs and aristocracy, all of whom reject her. The vision of Young Evita comforts the humiliated Evita and empowers her. 

GATHERING POWER 

Evita builds her popularity, giving out shoes to the Descamisados. She calls them to arms and to fight for their rights, acting out against the oligarchs and upper class who rejected and humiliated her. 

THE FINAL MOMENT 

Succumbing to cancer, Evita dies in the arms of Perón. The Descamisados lead the funeral procession. 

THE LEGACY 

Evita and the Descamisados are engulfed by the iconography of her life. Evita's legacy remains. Even in death she is triumphant.

Choreography | Annabelle Lopez Ochoa

Artistic Collaborator | Nancy Meckler

Music | Peter Salem

Lighting, Set, and Video Design | Christopher Ash

Costume Design | Mark Eric

Ballet Hispánico Dancers

Nightly Casting

Subject to Change

Evita Perón | Amanda del Valle

Juan Perón | Antonio Cangiano

Young Evita | Amanda Ostuni

Parents and Child | Isabel Robles and Omar Rivéra with Isabella Vergara

The Descamisados | Fatima Andere, Amir Baldwin, Leonardo Brito,
Daryn Diaz, Ana Estrada, Paulo Hernandez-Farella,
Cori Lewis, Dylan Dias McIntyre, Adam Dario Morales, Omar Rivéra,
Isabel Robles and Isabella Vergara

MUSICIANS

MUSIC DIRECTOR/BANDONEONIST | Hector Del Curto

PIANIST/CONDUCTOR |Ahmed Alom Vega

PERCUSSIONIST | Brian Shankar Adler

VIOLINIST | Sami Merdinian

CELLIST | Jisoo Ok

Thank you to Land Rover Royal Oak for their Support

Creative Team for Doña Perón

Ballet Hispánico Artistic Team

Ballet Hispánico Production Team

Company Manager | Lauren Evans

Production Director | Adrian White

Technical Director & Lighting Supervisor | Caitlin Brown

Stage Manager | Morgan Lemos

Wardrobe Supervisor | Olivia Kirschbaum

Audio Supervisor | Brian McCorkle

Join Us!

Forever Moved

Alberta Ballet’s Endowment Campaign

ALBERTA BALLET DONORS 2023/24

We’ve prepared a full calendar of inspiring activity for our donors in 2023-24 season!

​Our Donor Programs include Dance Circle and the Patron Program, and all membership donations through these program are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.*​​

Dance Circle – As a Dance Circle member, you help shape the future of Alberta Ballet with voting rights at our AGM and a deeper connection to our work. Plus, a Dance Circle membership enhances your subscription experience with special performance night benefits. 

Patron Program – Looking for ways to get closer to the art and artists you love? Alberta Ballet’s new patron program elevates experience in the theatre and beyond:​

​Tier 1: Connect with a community of dance lovers at events where you learn more about the artists in Alberta Ballet​​

Tier 2: The ultimate behind-the-scenes experience. Tier 2 Patron Program members gain insights all along the creation journey, from the studio to the stage​.

If you’re a passionate Alberta Ballet subscriber, consider taking part in our donor activities!

To find out more, email us at donate@albertaballet.com.

A whole community is working behind-the-scenes,
helping us inspire you with dance!

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2023/24 GOVERNMENT FUNDERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS