Guillaume Côté, a distinguished ballet dancer and choreographer from Quebec, is set to bid farewell to the National Ballet of Canada tonight after a remarkable 26-year career. Known for his exceptional fusion of technical mastery and artistic expression, Côté’s magnetic stage presence has captivated audiences, making even the most iconic roles like Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet” and Prince Siegfried in “Swan Lake” feel rejuvenated.
On a recent episode of “Commotion,” host Elamin Abdelmahmoud delved into Côté’s legacy with two of his longtime collaborators, dancer Greta Hodgkinson and choreographer Anisa Tejpar. They discussed Côté’s impact on Canadian ballet and pondered whether he could be considered one of the greatest in the country’s ballet history.
Greta, who trained at the National Ballet school and rose to become a principal dancer alongside Côté, praised his generosity as a partner and his boundless energy on stage. She highlighted his exceptional partnering skills, emphasizing his ability to understand and support his fellow dancers effortlessly.
Anisa shed light on Côté’s transition from performer to choreographer, noting that his extensive experience interpreting renowned choreographers’ works inspired him to explore his creative voice. She described Côté as a visionary artist with a relentless drive to innovate and create, making his foray into choreography a natural progression in his illustrious career.
The full interview with Greta and Anisa discussing Côté’s legacy is available on the “Commotion” podcast. It offers further insights into Côté’s artistic journey and his enduring impact on the ballet world.
Panel production courtesy of Jess Low.
