The other major events of the year

  • The Ballets de Monte-Carlo
    October 2024
  • Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival
    November 2024
  • Festival International du Cirque
    January 2025
  • WRC Monte-Carlo Rally
    January 2025
  • Rallye de Monte-Carlo Historique
    January 2025
  • Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
    April 2025
  • Monaco E-Prix
    May 2025
  • Top Marques Monaco
    May 2025
  • Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix
    May 2025

The Ballets de Monte-Carlo

Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo is among the Principality’s most prestigious artistic treasures.

Today, this art form in all its fleeting beauty is magnificently represented by the new Ballets de Monte-Carlo, which includes the Ballet Company itself, the Monaco Dance Forum Festival, and the Princess Grace Academy under the direction of Jean-Christophe Maillot

A celebration of creation

Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo's upcoming 2024/2025 season will feature no fewer than 15 different shows, in a celebration of new creation!

The Company's Director Jean-Christophe Maillot has adopted a policy of inviting guest choreographers from around the world will see three new worldwide creations performed in the Principality, with one new addition to Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo's repertoire. 

And when not in Monaco, the Company will of course be performing its role as a leading cultural ambassador for the Principality, by embarking on world tours to destinations ranging from Europe to Mexico, and from Cuba to China. 

 

Les Ballets: the early days

The beginnings of classical dance in Monaco: Les Ballets Russes
Monaco’s love affair with the choreographical arts began in 1909.  After presenting his Ballets Russe in Paris for the first time, Serge de Diaghilev brought his company to Monte-Carlo, where they established their creative workshop. Over the next two decades, Diaghilev and his associates reshaped every facet of ballet. The company was disbanded on his death in 1929. It was later revived under different names by various personalities and choreographers, but eventually disappeared for good in 1951.


The creation of the current Ballets de Monte-Carlo
In 1985, the Ballets de Monte-Carlo company was founded at the behest of H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover, who was keen to revive the classical dance tradition in Monaco. The new company was led by Ghislaine Thesmar and Pierre Lacotte, and later by Jean-Yves Esquerre.

Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo goes from strength to strength
In 1993, H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover appointed Jean-Christophe Maillot as the new director of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, . Drawing on his dancing experience with Rosella Hightower and John Neumeier, and choreographer and director of the French National Choreography Centre in Tours, Jean-Christophe Maillot set the company on a new path. He created more than 30 ballets, several of which have since become part of the repertoire of leading international companies. Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo are now invited to perform all over the world, treating international audiences to Jean-Christophe Maillot’s iconic ballets such as Vers un pays sage (1995), Roméo et Juliette (1996), Cendrillon (1999) La Belle (2001), Le Songe (2005), Altro Canto (2006), Faust (2007), and LAC (2011).

Jean-Christophe Maillot also added to the company’s repertoire by inviting not only leading contemporary choreographers but also emerging talents to work with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and its troupe of 50 exceptional dancers. Guest choreographers have included notable figures such as Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Shen Wei, Alonzo King, Emio Greco, Chris Haring, Marco Goecke, Lucinda Childs, William Forsythe, Jiri Kylian, Karole Armitage, Maurice Béjart, and Marie Chouinard.

In 2000, Jean-Christophe Maillot created the Monaco Dance Forum, an international showcase of dance in all its forms, featuring an eclectic array of performances, exhibitions, workshops, and talks. The company regularly takes part in the festival, along with the Princess Grace Academy.

The future of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
In 2011, under its President H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover, a new organisation was formed, bringing together all three institutions under the direction of Jean-Christophe Maillot. Today, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo boasts the excellence of an elite international ballet company, a successful multi-format dance festival, and the potential of a top-class academy. Every aspect of dance is concentrated here in Monaco, from creation, to training, to performance, in a unique structure devoted to the promotion of the choreographic art.

 

For full details of the upcoming season: balletsdemontecarlo.com

Photo credits: © Benjamin Vergély /Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo