A season at the Paris Opera alongside Guillaume Diop and Sulivan Loiseau, two Black artists reflecting on the place of diversity within a historic institution.

On March 11, 2023, Guillaume Diop was named danseur étoile following a performance of Giselle in Seoul. He became the first Black man to receive this distinction at the Paris Opera. For the young mixed-race dancer, the pressure is twofold: he must live up both to his status as a principal performer and to the symbolic role he now represents. Having grown up without many role models who looked like him, he is deeply aware that he embodies hope for many children from diverse backgrounds. “I receive countless messages. I’m proud to represent that, but it also scares me. I’ve only just turned 23. I first need to understand who I am before I can represent others,” he reflects.

Guillaume Diop has accepted a role he never sought, while openly acknowledging his doubts and occasional feelings of impostor syndrome. “That’s why I worked unbelievably hard — I didn’t want people to say I was put there just because I’m Black,” he explains.

Meanwhile, Sulivan Loiseau, a young Martinican double bassist, has recently joined the Paris Opera orchestra, where she is currently the only person of color. She approaches the situation with a mix of composure and clear-eyed awareness, even encouraging her colleagues to avoid euphemisms such as “Black.” “Black isn’t an insult. It’s my skin color — and it looks great on me,” she says with a smile.

Through the stories of Sulivan and Guillaume emerges the portrait of a new generation of Black artists — one that embraces its pioneering role while also aspiring simply to be treated as normal.

Coproduction : Arte France, Izzy B. Productions et Opéra national de Paris – 2024