Gods and Dogs

Stepping Stones

Petite Mort

Sechs Tänze

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5 Stories about Jiří Kylián

Filled with eerie images on the border of reality and dream, Jiří Kylián's work blends oneirism and wry humour. Set to music by John Cage and Anton Webern, Stepping Stones pays tribute to the memory and heritage of dance. On stage, Egyptian cats are the guardians of tradition.Three new pieces by Kylián enter the Ballet's repertoire this season. Petite Mort poetically explores the double theme of death: the lesser one symbolising orgasm and the greater one that brings life to a close. Pas de deux and swordplay alternate against a backdrop of Mozart concertos.Sechs Tänze extends the Mozartian universe and caricatures it in a series of dances with a quirky sense of humour, while Gods and Dogs explores the borderline between normality and madness: when dogs become gods and vice versa. In a midnight blue light, the dancers perform in front of delicate strings that recall those of a Beethoven quartet. The Étoiles, the Premières Danseuses, the Premiers Danseurs and the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet Recorded music   Director: Floris Bernard Production exécutive BEL AIR MEDIA © Opéra national de Paris - 2023

ann-ray-jiri-kylian-0896_PETITE MORT_J Kylian_L Baulac B Battistoni A Philbert L Devignes S Saint-Martin (cà ann ray OnP

Stepping Stones (Jiri Kylian) © Icare - OnP 7924-7 2004

Jiří Kylián_trailer

Jiří Kylián

Filled with eerie images on the border of reality and dream, Jiří Kylián's work blends oneirism and wry humour. Set to music by John Cage and Anton Webern, Stepping Stones pays tribute to the memory and heritage of dance. On stage, Egyptian cats are 

Stepping Stones, Gods and Dogs, Petite Mort, Sechs Tänze

Jirí Kylián was born in Prague in 1947, the son of a banker and a dancer. He began studying dance at the age of nine and at the age of fifteen he entered the Conservatory in the Czech capital, where, in addition to his classical lessons (given by Zora Semberová), he took modern dance (the Graham technique) as well as folk dancing. He also studied the piano. In 1967, he received a grant from the British Council and went to the Royal Ballet School in London. The choreographer John Cranko urged him to join his company in Stuttgart some day. In the summer of 1968, Kylián left Prague when the Soviet tanks rolled in and he found fitting refuge in Germany at the Stuttgart Ballet. Once there, he quickly became a soloist and made his first forays into choreographing for the Noverre Society Matinées (it was a career path similar to John Neumeier who also had been noticed by Cranko a few years earlier). A guest choreographer at the Nederlands Dans Theater in The Haig in 1973, he joined the team of the artistic director (with Hans Knill), ultimately becoming the NDT’s the director in 1978. He was just 28 years old. His incredible aptitude for choreography and his talents as an artist generated the enthusiasm and loyalty of the NDT’s members and made the company a unique enterprise in terms of its productions and its triple-strand structure (NDT1 –the principal troupe, NDT2 – the junior troupe, NDT3, the senior group). Even though Jirí Kylián chose to step down as general director of the NDT in June 1999, he still remains the Company’s choreographer and artistic advisor. He has created some sixty choreographic works—works that are charmingly engaging, musical, sometimes tinged with a scathing humour and often interspersed with strange images which skirt the borders of dream and reality, but always infused with a gravity which bears witness to his unceasing ability to question our era. Jirí Kylián has received the Carina Ari Medal in Stockholm, the West End Theatres Award in London, the Sonia Gaskell Prize in Amsterdam, the Andersen Prize for Choreography in Copenhagen, the International Grand Prize for video-dance in Nîmes (1988), the coveted Prix Benois de la Danse on two occasions (first in Moscow in 1993, and then in Berlin in 1999 for One of a Kind), and the Critics’ Prize at the Edinburgh Festival in 1996 and 1997. In 1995, he was made an Officer of the Royal Order of Orange-Nassau. He is also an Officier des Arts et Lettres (courtesy of the French Ministry of Culture), and a Doctor Honoris Causa of the Juilliard School in New York. In February 2000, the choreographer and the company as a whole received the Laurence Olivier Award for their “exceptional service”. The production Arcimboldo 2000 also earned The Hague’s City Prize. At the Paris Opera, Kylian created two works for the company: Doux mensonges (1999) and Il faut qu’une porte… (2004). Several of his other works have also entered the Paris Opera Ballet’s repertoire: Bella Figura, Kaguyahime, Nuages, Sinfonietta, Stepping Stones, Symphony of Psalms, Tantz-Schul and Tar and Feathers.

1998 : Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.2006 : Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.2010 : Promoted to « Coryphée ».2011 : Promoted to « Sujet ».2013 : Promoted to « Première danseuse ».Valentine Colasante is made an "Étoile" on January 5th 2018, following the performance of Don Quixote (Rudolf Nureyev), a ballet in which she performed the role of Kitri.As part of the Paris Opera Ballet’s official tours, she has performed in Australia (Sydney, 2007), China (Beijing, 2008), Russia (Novosibirsk, 2010), Malaysia (Singapore, 2011), the United States (New York, 2017) and Spain (Madrid, 2019).

Valentine Colasante

2010 Médaille d’Or et bourse du Concours international Civitanova Danza Per Domani. Entre à l’École de Danse de la Scala de Milan.2012 Entre à l’École de Danse de l’Opéra national de Paris.2015 Est engagé dans le Corps de Ballet de l’Opéra national de Paris.2017 Promu « Coryphée ».2018 Promu « Sujet ». Médaille de Bronze (catégorie Sénior) du XXVIIIème Concours international de danse de Varna (Bulgarie) Prix du Cercle Carpeaux.2020 Promu « Premier danseur ».

MURA_Francesco-100

2018: Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.2019: Promoted to "Coryphée".2023: Promoted to "Sujet". AROP Dance award.2025: Promoted to "Première danseuse".

KANG_Hohyun-57

2008 : Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.2014 : Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.

GUILLEMARD_Julien-8603

2004: Joins the Paris Opera Ballet School.
2011: Joins the Paris Opera Corps de ballet.2018: Promoted to "Coryphée".2020: Promoted to "Sujet".

OSMONT_Caroline-62

2002 : Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.2008 : Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.

COSTE_Takeru_6 (c) Julien Benhamou OnP

2008: Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.
2019: Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.2021: Promoted to "Coryphée".2024: Promoted to "Sujet" following the annual promotion competition 2023.

SEROPIAN_Nine-53

2008:&nbsp;Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.

2016:&nbsp;Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.

2019:&nbsp;Promoted to "Coryphée".

2021:&nbsp;Promoted to "Sujet".2023: AROP dance award.2025: Promoted to "Premier danseur".

SARRI_Andrea-25

1993/1999 : Pursues her studies at the Colón Theatre Superior Institute of Art in Buenos Aires, Argentina.2000 : Joins the Santiago Ballet of Chili.2002 : Promoted to a soloist.2003 : Receives the Igor Youskevitch Award and at the 7th New York International Ballet Competition, she earns the Silver Medal as well as an engagement at the American Ballet Theatre. She joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.2007 : Promoted to « Coryphée ».2008 : Promoted to

 « Sujet ». 2009 : The Konex Award (Argentina). 2010 : Promoted to

« Première Danseuse ». 2017 : Prix Benois de la Danse (Moscou)2019 : The Konex Platinium Award (Argentina)2021 : LATFRAN Award of Excellence (France)Ludmila Pagliero was named "Danseuse Étoile" on March 22nd 2012, following a performance of the ballet La Bayadère (Rudolf Nureyev) in which she performed the role of Gamzatti.As part of the Paris Opera Ballet’s official tours, Ludmila Pagliero has performed in Russia (Moscow, 2013; Novosibirsk, 2018), Japan (2017), Spain (Madrid, 2019), France (Brest, 2016; Mulhouse 2020). Ludmila Pagliero has made her official farewell to the stage on April 17th 2025 at the Palais Garnier, following the performance of Mats Ek's ballet Appartement.

LUDMILA PAGLIERO_2019_08_OPERA_DE_PARIS_11_0005 bis (c) Matthew Brookes OnP

Studies dance at the Kishibe Ballet Studio (Tokyo) and the Australian Ballet School.
2009: Lausanne Prize.

2013: Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.

2014: Promoted to "Coryphée". Silver medal at the Varna Competition. Prix du Cercle Carpeaux.

2015: Promoted to "Sujet".

2016: Promoted to "Première danseuse". Prix Benois de la Danse. 2023: Hannah O'Neill is named "Danseuse Étoile" on March 2nd 2023, following the performance of Ballet impérial (George Balanchine) in which she performed the first principal soloist.

Hannah-O'Neill-james-bort-nb (c) James Bort OnP

2007 : After winning the First Prize at the CNR (national conservatory) in Nantes, he enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.
2011 : He joins the Paris Opera Corps de ballet.
2014 : Promoted to "Coryphée". Bronze medal at the Varna International Dance competition.
2015 : Promoted to "Sujet". Cercle Carpeaux Prize. AROP Dance Prize. Nominated for the Benois de la Danse Prize.
2016 : Promoted to "Premier danseur".
2017 : Benois de la Danse Prize, "best dancer" category. 2018 : Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe: Arts & Culture.

Following a performance of La Sylphide (Lacotte, after Taglioni) in which he perfoms the role of James on the stage of the Bunka Kaikan in Tokyo (Japan) on March 3rd 2017, he is named "Étoile".As part of the Paris Opera Ballet’s official tours, he has performed in Spain (Madrid/ 2019), the United States (New York/ 2017), Japan (Tokyo/ 2017 and 2020).

Hugo Marchand

1992 - 1999 : He trains at the École Nationale Supérieure de danse in Marseille, where Roland Petit chooses him for his version of The Nutcracker.1999 : Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.2001 : Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.2003 : Promoted to "Coryphée". 2004 : Promoted to "Sujet".

2005 : Prix Benois de la Danse (Moscou)Mathieu Ganio is made an "Étoile" on May 20th 2004, following the performance of the ballet Don Quichotte (Rudolf Noureev) in which he danced the role of Basilio.As part of the Paris Opera Ballet's official tours, Mathieu Ganio has performed in Switzerland (Geneva, 2009), Japan (Tokyo 2010, 2013 and 2020/ Nagoya, 2013), Australia (Sydney, 2012), the United States (Chicago/ Washington/ New York, 2012), and Malaysia. (Singapore, 2012), United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, 2019). 

Mathieu Ganio was named Officier des Arts et Lettres.Mathieu Ganio will bid farewell to the stage on Saturday March 1st, 2025, following the performance of John Cranko's ballet Onegin in which he portrays the title role.

Ganio Mathieu

2003 Entre à l’École de Danse de l’Opéra national de Paris.2009 Engagé dans le Corps de Ballet de l’Opéra national de Paris. Prix « Jeune espoir » de l’AROP.2010 Promu « Coryphée ».2011 Promu « Sujet ». Prix du Cercle Carpeaux.2013 Prix AROP de la Danse. Promu « Premier Danseur ».

RAVEAU_Arthus-55

2007 Entre à l’École de Danse de l’Opéra national de Paris.2013 Est engagé dans le Corps de Ballet de l’Opéra national de Paris.2016 Promu « Coryphée ».2018 Promu « Sujet ».2020 Promu « Premier danseur ».

LEGASA_Pablo-101

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg. A child prodigy (he took his first harpsichord lessons when he was 4 and began composition at 6), he quickly became famous, thanks to the many tours he made with his father, Leopold, who was himself vice chapel-master at the court of the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, as well as a mentor and teacher to his son. At the age of 16, Mozart was appointed concertmaster to the new Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, Hieronymus von Colleredo. He was commissioned to compose works to the tastes of his day and asked to perform. But he quickly grew tired of the confining environment of Salzburg and, in 1777, he resigned his position at the court. In 1779, he became the resident organist at the Salzburg cathedral, then settled in Vienna. He performed for the Court, gave music lessons and piano concerts, while being vice chapel-master at the cathedral. His Don Giovanni was a huge success in Prague but was poorly received in Vienna. Mozart's health was declining and he spent the last years of his life in poverty. He died on the night of 5 to 6 December 1791: he was not yet 35 years old. He was buried in a common grave, due to sanitary measures but also because of his family's destitution. In spite of his early death, Mozart created in 30 years one of the greatest legacy in music history, comprising classical masterpieces in almost every musical genre: opera, sacred music (including his famous Requiem), symphonic, concert or chamber music... His operas include some early works such as La Finta semplice, Mitridate re di Ponto, Lucio Silla, or La Finta giardiniera. Composed in 1781 Idomeneo started to reveal Mozart's personality. Then Il Seraglio, composed the next year, marked his true independence as an artist and the beginning of his mature masterpieces: Le Nozze di Figaro in 1786, Don Giovanni in 1787, The Magic Flute in 1791. With La Clemenza di Tito Mozart returned to the seria genre.

2005 : Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.

2008 : Joins the Corps de ballet.

2014 : Becomes a “Coryphée”. She receives the Prix AROP de la Danse.

2015 : She is made a “Sujet”.

2016 : She is promoted to “Première danseuse”. On Decembre 31st 2017, Léonore Baulac is made an « Étoile » following a performance of Swan Lake (Noureev) in which she performed the role of Odette / Odile.

Léonore Baulac (c)James Bort OnP

2013: Enters the Paris Conservatoire (CNSMD).
2014: Joins the Paris Opera Ballet School.
2017: Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet. Performs in The Seasons’ Canon (Crystal Pite).
2021: Promoted to “Coryphée”. Receives the Cercle Carpeaux Dance Prize. Performs the Act III pas de deux in The Sleeping Beauty, the First Bridesmaid, a friend of Kitri, and a Gypsy in Don Quixote (Rudolf Nureyev), as well as the Flower Festival in Genzano pas de deux (August Bournonville).
2022: Promoted to “Sujet”. Receives the AROP Dance Prize. Performs Gamzatti and the 2nd Shade Variation in La Bayadère (Rudolf Nureyev), the title role (Act II) and the Peasant Pas de deux in Giselle (Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot), Helen in The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude (William Forsythe), and Mitzi Caspar in Mayerling (Kenneth MacMillan).
2023: Promoted to “Première Danseuse”. Performs the Mistress of Lescaut in Manon (Kenneth MacMillan), the pas de six in Raymonda (Rudolf Nureyev), the Ballerina in The Concert (Jerome Robbins), Lise in La Fille mal gardée (Frederick Ashton), the 3rd pas de deux in In the Night (Jerome Robbins), Petite Mort (Jiří Kylián), and the pas de six in Raymonda (Rudolf Nureyev).
Bleuenn Battistoni was named “Étoile” on March 26, 2024, following the performance of La Fille mal gardée (Frederick Ashton), in which she danced the role of Lise.
Since then, she has added to her repertoire: the title role in Paquita (Pierre Lacotte, 2024), Odette-Odile in Swan Lake (Rudolf Nureyev, 2024), Blake Works I (William Forsythe, 2024), Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty (Rudolf Nureyev, 2025), and Grand Pas classique (Victor Gsovsky, 2025).
Main creations and additions to the repertoire of the Paris Opera Ballet: Mary Vetsera in Mayerling (Kenneth MacMillan, 2022), Francesca in The Dante Project (Wayne McGregor, 2023), Sylvia (Manuel Legris, 2024).
As part of the Company’s official tours, she has performed in Russia (Novosibirsk, 2018), Spain (Madrid, 2019), Asia (Shanghai and Singapore, 2019), Japan (Tokyo, 2020 and 2024), France (Aix-en-Provence, 2022 and 2023), Korea (Daejeon and Seoul, 2023), and Italy (2025).

DSC09019_NB_BLEUENN BATTISTONI (c) James Bort OnP

2002:&nbsp;Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.

2008:&nbsp;Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.

2011:&nbsp;Promoted to Coryphée. Prix du Cercle Carpeaux

2012:&nbsp;Promoted to Sujet.

2020:&nbsp;Promoted to Première danseuse.

SAINT-MARTIN_Silvia-105

1999: Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.

2004: Joins the Paris Opera Corps de ballet.

2010: Promoted to "Coryphée".

2018: Promoted to "Sujet".

PHILBERT_Aubane-68

1998: Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.2007: Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.2008: Promoted to « Coryphée ».

DEMOL_Yvon-88

2011 : Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.2018 : Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet. Receives the Young Hope Award from the Fondation pour le Rayonnement de l’Opéra national de Paris.2023 : "Coryphée".2024: Promoted to « Sujet » following the annual promotion competition 2023.

BOCCARA_Alexandre-61

2005: Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.
2013: Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.
2019: Promoted to "Coryphée".2021: Promoted to "Sujet".

GROSS_Clemence-84

2022:&nbsp;Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.&nbsp;&nbsp;2024: Promoted to « Coryphée » following the annual promotion competition 2023.

MARYIANOWSKI-Alexander-8538

1998: Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.
2007: Joins the Paris Opera Corps de ballet.
2011: Promoted to "Coryphée".
2021: Promoted to "Sujet".

GASSE_Alexandre-28

2014 : Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.2018 : Joins the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet.

DEVIGNES_Lucie-8512

1993:&nbsp;Enters the Paris Opera Ballet School.
2001:&nbsp;Joins the Corps de Ballet.
2008:&nbsp;Promoted to Coryphée.Grégory Dominiak left the Paris Opera Ballet company in 2024.

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5 Stories about Jiří Kylián

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Gods and Dogs

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