With roots in the royal court of Louis XIV, the Paris Opera Ballet has been a dance monolith for over three centuries. The world’s oldest national ballet company returns to China for the first time in seven years, presenting a gala showcase at Shanghai Oriental Art Center from January 15-16.
“The show will present several facets of the Paris Opera Ballet,” explains tour organizer Catherine Saramite. “We’ll be showing our classical works but will also include some of the more contemporary pieces that are being done today.”
She assures us that the company’s famed Pas de Deux will be included. Excerpts of classic works highlight the long line of iconic choreographers that have flourished with the company like Rudolf Nureyev (Raymonda, Don Quixote and Romeo and Juliet), Pierre Lacotte (Paquita), Harald Lander (Études), Roland Petit (L’Arlésienne) and Kenneth MacMillan (Manon).
Karl Paquette and Myriam Ould-Braham lead the cast of 18. A Beijing favorite who worked with the National Ballet of China on 2014’s Sylvia, Paquette has been with the Paris Opera Ballet since attending the school as a 10-year-old.
“We might not be the biggest company,” he says. “But every year our students have to pass exams, which makes everyone try their best. This is the only way to become an étoile.”
Despite their rich history and a school system that produces excellence, the Paris Opera Ballet continues to innovate. In a surprising decision, Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied took over as director last year.
Saramite also notes that their “ballets and lyric operas are filmed and played directly in cinemas across France’s big cities, as well as several across the world.”
The company’s international appeal is starting to be reflected in its members. Despite accepting only 15 students out of around 800 candidates each year, the Paris Opera Ballet recently welcomed its first Chinese dancer, Chung Wing Lam.
“I met him in Hong Kong when he was 10 years old at a ballet school were I was giving a master class,” Samarite recalls of the now 18-year-old.
“Immediately, it was easy to see that he would be a professional dancer. He had the proper techniques that we teach at the Paris Opera Ballet school as a base.”
As a former dancer with the company, Saramite understands that the great honor comes with a grueling schedule. The China tour takes place during the dancers' official vacation period. Since October, the performers have been rehearsing for three hours a day for the gala shows, in addition to their obligations to ongoing shows at the Paris Opera Ballet.
It was near the end of a performance of La Bayadère at the Opéra Bastille, when the horrific November 13 Paris attacks took place a couple of hundred meters away.
“We didn’t know what was happening, but security let all these people into the theater,” Saramite recalls. “A lot of the dancers slept in the venue because it was very dangerous outside. It was a violent shock for everyone.”
After four days of mourning, the company reopened its doors for performances. “We have to show the people that art is beauty, happiness and liberty of expression,” says Paquette with resolve. “We won’t stop!”
“There’s now airport-level security at the Paris Opera House,” Samarite adds. “People are confident and all the shows are full.”
> Guangzhou: Jan 8, 8pm, RMB180-1,280. Guangzhou Opera House, tickets.
> Shanghai: Jan 15-16, 7.15pm; RMB180-880. Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, tickets. See event listing.
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