James Bonas is a traditional storyteller for the modern age. His most recent operatic projects include staging Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos for the Theatre Magdeburg, the French premiere of Abrahamsen’s Snow Queen for Opéra national du Rhin and Bernstein’s Candide at Welsh National Opera. Bonas’ work with illustrator Grégoire Pont has also been particularly well-received, with their productions of Orff’s Der Mond, Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges and L’heure espagnole performed worldwide.
In ballet, Bonas’ recent successes include Emma Bovary at the National Ballet of Canada, The Crucible with Helen Pickett for Scottish Ballet, and Dive with Sophie Laplane, which featured at the Venice Biennale and won the Grand Jury Prize at Cinedans 2022. Plans further ahead include new creations for The Scottish Ballet and Dutch National Ballet.
At the BBC Proms, Bonas has staged Stravinsky’s L’histoire du soldat, Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique and a Glass/Handel project in collaboration with Anthony Roth-Constanzo. Their 2023 season saw Bonas return with Aurora Orchestra, staging Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.
Photo: Mihaela Bodlovic