Les Grands Ballets Canadiens at Center for the Arts at George Mason University

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens marries technical novelty with theatrical verve for an enchanting
evening of dance. As Québec’s first professional ballet company, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens
has been one of Canada’s best contemporary ballet companies for more than six decades. In
2024, the company embarks on its first tour of the U.S. in 10 years. For its Center for the Arts
debut, the ensemble pays tribute to the awe-inspiring and monumental works of Beethoven with
two inventive pieces. Dancing Beethoven opens with one of the world’s most recognizable
symphonies, Symphony No. 5. American choreographer Garrett Smith uses the iconic opening—
four striking notes that symbolize fate knocking at the door—to express the joys and liberation of
accepting our individuality. Completing this double bill is a work set to Beethoven’s stirring
Symphony No. 7, featuring choreography by the late Uwe Scholz and showcasing the
ensemble’s precision, energy, and artistry.