The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
National Ballet of Canada
the leading Canadian ballet company. Based in Toronto, it was founded (1951) by Celia Franca (19212007) and modeled on Sadlers 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. Since 2006 the companys home performance hall has been the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.