Founded in 1957 by Ludmilla Chiriaeff, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens made its U.S. debut at Jacob’s Pillow just two years later, and has returned many times since under subsequent directors. The performance seen here was the company’s third and final Pillow appearance under the direction of Macedonian-born Gradimir Pankov, who took the reins in 2000. Pankov continued the company’s dedication to the development of ballet in all its forms, bringing works such as Nacho Duato’s Without Words into the repertory. Mauro Bigonzetti’s Four Seasons was commissioned especially for the dancers of Les Grands, as was the same choreographer’s Cantata in 2001, and the two works comprised an all-Bigonzetti program at the Pillow.
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