Ballerina Chan Hon Goh Dances Final Giselle
Principal Dancer Retires from the National Ballet
Chan Hon Goh marks her final farewell as a Principal Dancer in the National Ballet’s classic production of Giselle in late May 2009. Goh, a celebrated dancer with the National Ballet in Canada (www.national.ballet.ca) for 20 years, announced her retirement in the early spring of the same year. Artistic director Karen Kain said she will greatly miss Goh’s talent and energy on the stage.
Partner Zdenek Konvalina
Goh’s frequent partner over the past few years, Zdenek Konvalina, will miss their special bond. “I suppose trust is the most important element to any partnership. It gives us the freedom to forget about the technicalities of the choreography and focus on the roles and the connection. Of course, with a bit of chemistry, that all comes together much easier. With Chan, the chemistry was very easy to find because all the necessary aspects were there from beginning," he says.
Konvalina was a Principal Dancer with the National Ballet of Moravia-Silesia and the Houston Ballet before moving to the National in 2006. From the moment he was paired with Goh, he says it was like magic. “The first time I danced with Chan was actually my first performance with the company. It was in Nureyev's production of The Sleeping Beauty. Before joining the National Ballet I knew of Chan and so when I found out that I was paired with her I was very flattered. She was wonderful from the first rehearsal.”
Paying Tribute to Chan Hon Goh
From then on, they danced together in many ballets includingThe Merry Widow and Symphony in C. Konvalina says each partnering brought them to a new level of understanding. “All the ballets we have danced together were so different from each other. Because we developed trust, we could build on that and take the dancing further each time. Giselle is probably the most open to interpretation of them all.” Many consider Giselle to be one of the most complex roles for any ballerina, portraying a young woman’s innocence, then descent into madness and finally, forgiveness.
Konvalina calls Goh, not just a wonderful talent, but also a wonderful person. “I admire Chan for her humility. I think throughout her career she has achieved wonderful artistry and knowledge of her craft but yet remained humble and gracious.”
Goh’s Final Giselle
Although Konvalina says he always has a great experience working with Goh as a partner, he’ll miss her even more in the studio during rehearsal where he’s discovered her great sense of humour. And likely, it’ll be emotional knowing they’re on the stage together for the last time. He says “She has a very distinct aura about her and that gives her this amazing look on stage. Giselle is probably the best example of her artistry. I think it's going to be the most refined performance of her career and she is leaving the stage at the height of her artistry.”
Giselle runs May 27 to 31, 2009 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. Goh’s final performances are May 27 and 31.
Goh and Konvalina in rehearsal
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Goh and Konvalina in rehearsal
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