Featuring nearly 40 of the world’s most exquisite dancers, Compañía Nacional de Danza de España takes center stage in the latest episode of our original series, Luckman Sessions.

Our team began production on this episode at CND’s headquarters in Madrid, later concluding in Los Angeles at The Luckman. It marks the fourth country where the series has been filmed and the first with scenes filmed bi-nationally. The episode includes an interview with CND’s artistic director, Joaquín De Luz, plus a behind-the-scenes look at the ensemble’s rehearsals ahead of the North American tour that culminated in their performance on our stage.

Under the artistic direction of Joaquín De Luz (former principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet), CND’s sublime choreography and flawless execution fuse into a breathtaking spectacle that ignites the stage and leaves audiences spellbound in a tapestry of beauty, grace, and emotion. For over 45 years, the Madrid-based company has placed particular emphasis on opening doors for trailblazing choreographers, such as George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, and Ray Barra.

The premiere of this episode coincides with the end of Mr. De Luz’s prolific tenure at the helm of Compañía Nacional de Danza de España. In this role, he created some of CND’s most celebrated ballets, including Passengers Within and a new version of Giselle, inspired by the poems of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer. Among his multitude of achievements as artistic director, he spearheaded and realized efforts for the company to embark on major international tours – most recently throughout North America on a tour that included the performance at The Luckman captured in this episode.