Les Grands Ballets raises the curtain on their 2026–2027 season: a season firmly inspired by literature, in which each ballet draws on a classic tale from our childhood or a great novel. From love and sacrifice to enchantment and transformation, the company invites audiences to rediscover the pleasure of being told a story. Among the six productions, two will receive their world premieres: Midsummer Night Dreams by Guillaume Côté and Alice in Wonderland by André Santos, set to an original score by Montréal composer Airat Ichmouratov. The season will also mark the highly anticipated return of Cinderella by Jayne Smeulders, which was warmly received in 2023.
“I am very excited about this new season, which offers a wonderful balance between classical ballet and contemporary ballet, between original creations and repertoire works. These are ballets in which we see ourselves, and in which we want to lose ourselves,” notes Ivan Cavallari, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens’ Artistic Director. In this spirit, the 2026–2027 season unfolds through six emblematic stories, from the great novel to the foundational fairy tale, where gesture becomes language and emotion takes center stage.
From novel to dreamlike journey: an autumn shaped by three Canadian choreographers
The season opens with La Dame aux camélias by Peter Quanz, inspired by the novel by Alexandre Dumas fils, a powerful story of love and sacrifice centered on one of literature’s most moving heroines, Marguerite Gautier. Then, with his creation Midsummer Night Dreams, Guillaume Côté offers a sensitive and deeply human reinterpretation of Shakespeare. This will mark his first collaboration with Les Grands Ballets. Next comes The Nutcracker, the beloved family tradition of the holiday season, inspired by the tale by E. T. A. Hoffmann. It plunges us into the heart of a fantastical night where fearless toy soldiers and armies of mice clash, while young Clara journeys from one magical world to another.
Metamorphoses: a winter–spring season of courage and freedom
Beginning in February, to chase away the winter gloom, Cinderella, by Australian choreographer Jayne Smeulders, returns to the stage. Inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, this production reminds us that our dreams can change the course of our lives. In spring, the stage is set for Lady Chatterley by British choreographer Cathy Marston, inspired by the celebrated novel by D. H. Lawrence. A ballet of great intensity, where desire and freedom become acts of courage. Finally, to close the season and welcome spring, Les Grands Ballets is delighted to entrust company dancer André Santos with the creation of his very first full-length ballet. Drawing on Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll, he will present his own interpretation of Alice in Wonderland, set to an original score by Airat Ichmouratov, an enchanting work that is sure to delight audiences of all ages.
Six works, six must-see productions: a season rich in emotion, new creations, and great crowd-pleasing titles. Something to satisfy every taste, and perhaps even convince those who might imagine that ballet belongs to the past!
LA DAME AUX CAMÉLIAS
September 23-27, 2026
Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place des Arts
Choreographer: Peter Quanz
Pianist: Rosalie Asselin
MIDSUMMER NIGHT DREAMS
October 29-31, 2026
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
Choreographer: Guillaume Côté
With Les Grands Ballets Orchestra, conducted by Dina Gilbert
THE NUTCRACKER
December 5-30, 2026
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
Choreographer: Fernand Nault
With Les Grands Ballets Orchestra, conducted by Jean-Claude Picard
CINDERELLA
February 24–28, 2027
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
Choreographer: Jayne Smeulders
With Les Grands Ballets Orchestra, conducted by Dina Gilbert
LADY CHATTERLEY
April 22–25, 2027
Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place des Arts
Choreographer: Cathy Marston
With Les Grands Ballets Orchestra, conducted by Dina Gilbert
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
June 3–6, 2027
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
Choreographer: André Santos
With Les Grands Ballets Orchestra, conducted by Airat Ichmouratov
LES GRANDS BALLETS ON TOUR
The Nutcracker in Ottawa: November 26–29, 2026
Midsummer Night Dreams in Ottawa: February 4–6, 2027
Cinderella in Québec City: March 9–10, 2027
