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