Founder of the National Ballet of Canada dies at age 85
{{date|February 20, 2007}}
{{Canadian news}}

[[w:Celia Franca|Celia Franca]], founder of the [[w:National Ballet of Canada|National Ballet of Canada]] and its training ground, the [[w:National Ballet School of Canada|National Ballet School of Canada]], died at age 85 Monday in [[w:Ottawa|Ottawa, Ontario]].

She is reported to have died in an Ottawa Hospital and her cause of death is not known. She went to the hospital last week and stayed there until she had died.

"Celia was more than the National Ballet's founder. She was its presiding spirit, its most stalwart supporter and the embodiment of its ideals and values," said Karen Kain, the National Ballet of Canada's current artistic director. "She inspired generations of dancers by her example and her devotion to the art of ballet. And most importantly, she made us believe in ourselves and that no goal was ever out of reach."

Franca, born 1921 in [[w:London, England|London, England]], came to Canada in 1951 to found the National Ballet of Canada. Franca choreographed ballets in Canada such as the famous "Cinderella" and "The Nutcracker." She was artistic director of the National Ballet of Canada for 24 years. 

In 1967, Franca was named an officer of the [[w:Order of Canada|Order of Canada]], then named a Companion of the order in 1985.

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=aFqHpR6NqW50&refer=canada
|title=Celia Franca, Founder of the National Ballet of Canada, Dies 
|author=Ryan Flinn
|pub=Bloomberg L.P.
|date=February 19, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070219/franca_obit_070219/20070219?hub=CTVNewsAt11
|title=National Ballet founder Celia Franca dies at 85
|author=
|pub=CTV
|date=February 19, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070219.wfranca0219/BNStory/Entertainment/home
|title=National Ballet founder dies at 85
|author=Sandra Martin 
|pub=The Globe and Mail
|date=February 19, 2007}}

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[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Canada]]
[[Category:Obituaries]]
[[Category:Dance]]
[[Category:Culture and entertainment]]
Celia Franca, founder of the National Ballet of Canada and its training ground, the National Ballet School of Canada, died at age 85 Monday in Ottawa, Ontario.

She is reported to have died in an Ottawa Hospital and her cause of death is not known. She went to the hospital last week and stayed there until she had died.

"Celia was more than the National Ballet's founder. She was its presiding spirit, its most stalwart supporter and the embodiment of its ideals and values," said Karen Kain, the National Ballet of Canada's current artistic director. "She inspired generations of dancers by her example and her devotion to the art of ballet. And most importantly, she made us believe in ourselves and that no goal was ever out of reach."

Franca, born 1921 in London, England, came to Canada in 1951 to found the National Ballet of Canada. Franca choreographed ballets in Canada such as the famous "Cinderella" and "The Nutcracker." She was artistic director of the National Ballet of Canada for 24 years. 

In 1967, Franca was named an officer of the Order of Canada, then named a Companion of the order in 1985.
North America Canada Obituaries Dance Culture and entertainment