Fernand Nault
Encyclopedia
Fernand Nault, OC
, CQ
(December 27, 1920 – December 26, 2006) was a Canadian
dancer and choreographer.
He was born Fernand-Noël Boissonneault in Montreal
. After he abandoned his original career choice to become a priest, he studied dance with Maurice Morenoff in Montreal and went on to study in New York City
, London
and Paris
. In 1944, Nault was hired by the American Ballet Theater at an audition in Montreal. He went on to become a ballet master with the company and later director for the company's school. After his return to Canada in 1965, he was resident choreographer and later assistant director for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens
.
His most well-known work is probably Les Grands' version of The Nutcracker
. Other ballets by Nault include the rock ballet Tommy, created in 1970 based on the rock opera
by The Who, and Carmina Burana, performed at Expo 67
. Nault was also choreographer and ballet master for l'École supérieure de danse du Québec. He has also been guest choreographer and artistic director for the Colorado Ballet
.
Nault was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
in 1977 and a Knight of the National Order of Quebec
in 1990.
He died in Montreal the day before his 86th birthday after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease
.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, CQ
National Order of Quebec
The National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
(December 27, 1920 – December 26, 2006) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
dancer and choreographer.
He was born Fernand-Noël Boissonneault in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. After he abandoned his original career choice to become a priest, he studied dance with Maurice Morenoff in Montreal and went on to study in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. In 1944, Nault was hired by the American Ballet Theater at an audition in Montreal. He went on to become a ballet master with the company and later director for the company's school. After his return to Canada in 1965, he was resident choreographer and later assistant director for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens
Les Grands Ballets Canadiens
Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal is a Canadian ballet company based in Montreal, Quebec.It was founded in 1957 by Ludmilla Chiriaeff. Conductor and composer Michel Perrault served as the organization's first music director. In 2000, Gradimir Pankov became Artistic Director...
.
His most well-known work is probably Les Grands' version of The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The libretto is adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann's story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King". It was given its première at the Mariinsky Theatre in St...
. Other ballets by Nault include the rock ballet Tommy, created in 1970 based on the rock opera
Tommy (rock opera)
Tommy is the fourth album by English rock band The Who, released by Track Records and Polydor Records in the United Kingdom and Decca Records/MCA in the United States. A double album telling a loose story about a "deaf, dumb and blind boy" who becomes the leader of a messianic movement, Tommy was...
by The Who, and Carmina Burana, performed at Expo 67
Expo 67
The 1967 International and Universal Exposition or Expo 67, as it was commonly known, was the general exhibition, Category One World's Fair held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, from April 27 to October 29, 1967. It is considered to be the most successful World's Fair of the 20th century, with the...
. Nault was also choreographer and ballet master for l'École supérieure de danse du Québec. He has also been guest choreographer and artistic director for the Colorado Ballet
Colorado Ballet
Colorado Ballet is a classical ballet company based in Denver, Colorado. Comprising two academies as well as a company, Colorado Ballet serves more than 110,000 patrons each year. The main performance venue is Ellie Caukins Opera House in downtown Denver....
.
Nault was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
in 1977 and a Knight of the National Order of Quebec
National Order of Quebec
The National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
in 1990.
He died in Montreal the day before his 86th birthday after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
.