It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Dulcinea (Dulcy) Langfelder, a socially engaged artist, and a pioneer of the interdisciplinary arts. After a courageous battle with ovarian cancer since 2018, she passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025, just days before her 70th birthday on February 6.
A New Yorker by birth, a Montrealer by adoption, Dulcinea’s exceptional career was marked by her unwavering commitment to a humanist mission: addressing human dilemmas and breaking down barriers to improve the world. When she founded her company in 1985, her creations defied classification, blending dance, theatre, song, mime, video projection and multimedia. But for Dulcinea, the human imagination didn’t fit into a box, and she employed various techniques, wherever her imagination led her.
In her work, Dulcinea tackled delicate subjects in a bold and sensitive way . Her art, characterized by inner strength, humour, and keen intelligence, served as a bridge that fostered tolerance, inter-religious reconciliation, and generational unity. Her universal artistic vision had a profound international impact, representing Québec in theatres and festivals worldwide on over 125 tours. The power of her work left deep and unforgettable emotional impressions on thousands of audience members.
Dulcinea, a recipient of numerous awards including the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec, created eight original works: Vicious Circle (1985), The Lady Next Door (1989), Hockey! OK? (1991), Portrait of a Woman with Suitcase (1994), Victoria (1999), Dulcinea’s Lament (2008), Pillow Talk, an essay on dreaming (2013). And, finally, Cheek to Cheek – love with a capital C (2018), a moving reflection on her career that openly addressed her battle with cancer.
In addition to her shows, Dulcinea gave talks to relatives of people with Alzheimer’s and people at risk of ovarian cancer, fostering dialogue and sharing experiences.
In 2022, with her flagship show, Victoria, still captivating audiences after two decades, Dulcinea took the bold step of adapting it into a film to ensure its enduring legacy.
More recently, Vicious Circle, her debut work from 1985 that introduced her as an interdisciplinary artist, was adapted into a 360° format to be projected in a dome. It will be released in 2025, bringing her career full circle.
Dulcinea will remain a luminous source of inspiration for thousands of spectators, peers, colleagues and loved ones. Her artistic and humanist legacy will continue to shine and touch our hearts. She will be deeply missed.
To receive information about the upcoming tribute and commemoration event, send your details to info@dulcinee.org.
We invite you to leave a testimonial in the guestbook in her memory.
If you wish, and in continuity with our dear Dulcinea’s approach, we invite you to make a donation in her honour to Ovarian Cancer Canada.
