Les Grands Ballets Canadiens

Dancing Beethoven

Québec’s first professional ballet company, Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, will perform Dancing Beethoven on Northrop’s stage in February. The program will feature two of the best known compositions in classical music: Beethoven’s highly recognized Symphony No.5, said to represent “fate knocking on Man’s door,” and Symphony No.7, called by German composer, Richard Wagner, the “apotheosis of dance” for its endless yet varied dance rhythms. 

• What opportunities and challenges do you imagine might present themselves when staging work to such well-known and celebrated symphonies?
• While Dancing Beethoven is not a traditional story ballet program, the music will anchor the performances. How do you imagine the dancers will further develop the themes of each symphony?

Ivan Cavallari has served as artistic director of Les Grands Ballets since 2017. With Cavallari at the helm, the company’s repertoire is ever-expanding to both showcase the great ballet classics and to explore uncharted territory in dance, alongside leading and emerging contemporary creators. Dancing Beethoven will feature choreography by Garrett Smith and the late Uwe Scholz, pieces which breathe new life into these over 200-year-old musical masterpieces.

• How might the decision to program choreography by a contemporary and recent choreographer illuminate Beethoven’s work?
• What challenges and opportunities do you imagine artistic directors like Cavallari might face in leading a company rooted in classical concert dance?

In Complete, featuring Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, choreographer Garrett Smith draws inspiration from the difference and uniqueness of each of us, creating a work that celebrates individuality and the freedom of letting oneself be seen. 

• What is the value of highlighting the individuality in a group of artists who are collaborating to perform the same piece?
• In a dance style like classical ballet where precision, execution, and choreographic unison are important, how do you think the uniqueness of individual dancers are highlighted?

For a decade, Les Grands Ballets has dedicated their time to providing access to the arts through their National Center for Dance Therapy, a sociocultural service dedicated to promoting the benefits of dance and making it more accessible to vulnerable and marginalized people. The Centre has also partnered with numerous researchers to help build knowledge on the effects of dance on well-being.

• Have you experienced benefits from dance or any other creative practice? If so, how have they impacted your life?
• The Centre’s Adaptive Dance practice focuses on the abilities and strengths of each participant, with the goal of improving mobility and body awareness. What is gained by focusing on someone’s strengths and abilities, rather than their limitations?
• How do you imagine this service has improved participants’ lives?