Ballet School demonstrations

In 1987, the Paris Opera Ballet School left the Palais Garnier, where it had been located since 1876, to move to a new building in Nanterre designed and built by the architect Christian de Portzamparc. In 2017, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of this place of art in movement, Élisabeth Platel, director of the School, discusses Claude Bessy's influence on the soul of the building which accompanies the students throughout their studies. Élisabeth Platel also talks about a second anniversary, that of the 40th anniversary of the "Demonstrations". A unique public event inaugurated in 1977 and an important moment in the life of the School, presented each year on the stage of the Palais Garnier it highlights the breadth and depth of dance studies at the Paris Opera.

20:55 Le défilé du corps de ballet (15 min)
21:10 The school of dreams (1h40)
22:55 Passage des arts, the treasures of the Paris Opera (51 min)  

The Paris Opera Ballet School is truly the dream school for students who all wish to become dancers in the Opera's ballet! We discover their daily training, their passion and their hopes, and their work with their teachers to become, one day perhaps, an Étoile. We also attend the "Classes" demonstrations composed of exercises that highlight the art of classical dance. Accompanied on the piano, the students from each level, to whom the teachers provide advice and corrections, are keen to further their technique and bring the repertoire to life as they work on variations from the ballets of the past.

Director: Miguel Octave
A Bel Air Media and Paris Opera coproduction, with the support of France Télévisions

Duration: 80 min approx.