Béatrice Matet / VOZ'Image

Ballet

George Balanchine

Palais Garnier

from 08 February to 10 March 2023

1h45 with 1 interval

George Balanchine

Palais Garnier - from 08 February to 10 March 2023

Synopsis

Created in 1970 by the New York City Ballet, Who cares? is a suite of dances to songs by George and Ira Gershwin – including the “classic” that gives the piece its name and I Got Rhythm – against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. Who cares? combines an ensemble of dancers in various formations, followed by four soloists. All come together in a playful finale in which Balanchine wanted to show the ’musical genius and melodic beauty of Gershwin’s compositions through classical dance’. of Gershwin’s compositions through classical dance’. A tribute to the grandeur of Imperial Russia, Ballet Impérial was created in 1941 by the American Ballet Caravan to Tchaikovsky’s Second Piano Concerto. A work in which George Balanchine brilliantly celebrates the technical virtuosity of academic ballet in the style of Petipa – his “spiritual father” – and the great St Petersburg tradition.

Duration : 1h45 with 1 interval

  • Opening

  • First part 40 min

  • Intermission 20 min

  • Second part 45 min

  • End

Artists

Creative team

Cast

  • Monday 06 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Wednesday 08 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Thursday 09 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Friday 10 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Monday 13 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Wednesday 15 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Thursday 16 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Saturday 18 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Saturday 25 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Sunday 26 February 2023 at 16:00
  • Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Wednesday 01 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Thursday 02 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Friday 03 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Saturday 04 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Tuesday 07 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Wednesday 08 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Thursday 09 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Friday 10 March 2023 at 20:00

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Creative team

Cast

  • Monday 06 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Wednesday 08 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Thursday 09 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Friday 10 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Monday 13 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Wednesday 15 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Thursday 16 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Saturday 18 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Saturday 25 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Sunday 26 February 2023 at 16:00
  • Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 20:00
  • Wednesday 01 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Thursday 02 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Friday 03 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Saturday 04 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Tuesday 07 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Wednesday 08 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Thursday 09 March 2023 at 20:00
  • Friday 10 March 2023 at 20:00

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 March 2023, cast is likely to change.

Les Étoiles, les Premières Danseuses, les Premiers Danseurs et le Corps de Ballet de l’Opéra.
Orchestre de l’Opéra national de Paris

Ce spectacle fait l’objet d’une captation, réalisée par Vincent Bataillon et coproduite par l’Opéra national de Paris et Telmondis, avec la participation de France Télévisions, le soutien du CNC et de la Fondation Orange, mécène des retransmissions audiovisuelles de l’Opéra national de Paris.

Ce spectacle sera retransmis en direct le 7 mars 2023 à 20:00 sur France.tv/Culturebox et également, avec le concours de FRA cinéma, dans les cinémas UGC, dans le cadre de leur saison Viva l’Opéra ! et dans des cinémas indépendants en France et en Europe, et sera proposé en différé dans le monde entier. Le spectacle George Balanchine sera également diffusé le 5 avril 2023 à 19:00 dans les cinémas CGR et ultérieurement sur une chaîne de France Télévisions et sur l'Opéra chez soi.

Media

  • Balanchine and the Paris Opera

    Balanchine and the Paris Opera

    See the slideshow

  • A jazzy musical comedy

    A jazzy musical comedy

    Watch the video

© Agathe Poupeney / OnP

See the slideshow

a Photo retrospective

02 min

Balanchine and the Paris Opera

By Octave

The Paris Opera has always had a special relationship with George Balanchine. In 1947, the choreographer was invited to stage three of his ballets: the same year, he created Le Palais de cristal for the Company. Today, the Ballet repertoire includes more than thirty of his pieces, all of them reflecting the different styles and inspirations of this neoclassical master. This season, Who Cares? and Ballet Imperial are entering the Opera’s repertoire, the first being about Broadway and musicals to Gershwin's songs and the other about the imperial Russia of Balanchine’s childhood. 

From narrative ballets to abstract pieces, the choreographer’s body of work is rich and varied. Always in total symbiosis with the score, his ballets allow us to hear the dance and see the music. Balanchine's style - he was trained in the Russian technique by the greatest ballet masters - is not monolithic and contains numerous references, evoking both the Imperial Ballet and character dances. 

Balanchine also retained a penchant for a corps de ballet made up of numerous performers; he liked the interlacing arms that linked the dancers together as their legs criss-crossed across the stage. The skillful convolutions of his pas de deux are also evident in his “black and white” ballets. Here, there are no sets or costumes: purity of movement has pride of place.

“It can never be said that my ballets are abstract. They are immersed in the utilisation of the body, the person and the human soul.” George Balanchine, conversation with Violette Verdy

© Agathe Poupeney / OnP

A jazzy musical comedy

Watch the video

Roxane Stojanov rehearses Who Cares?

5:10 min

A jazzy musical comedy

By Antony Desvaux, Thida Thongsoume

Created in 1970 by the New York City Ballet, George Balanchine's Who Cares? plunges into the vibrant atmosphere of Broadway musicals. The ballet, composed of a suite of dances to songs by George Gershwin - including the "standard" that gives the piece its name - enters the repertoire of the Paris Opera Ballet this season. 

On this occasion, Première danseuse Roxane Stojanov talks about the romantic and jazzy atmosphere of the ballet and her work during rehearsals. She details the singularity of Balanchine's choreographic language, and in particular the musicality dear to the choreographer. Finally, she shares her experience with Sandra Jennings, a former dancer with the New York City Ballet, who came to pass on Who Cares? to the Company's dancers.

  • TOÏ TOÏ TOÏ I 5 questions sur WHO CARES? avec LÉONORE BAULAC

Access and services

Palais Garnier

Place de l'Opéra

75009 Paris

Public transport

Underground Opéra (lignes 3, 7 et 8), Chaussée d’Antin (lignes 7 et 9), Madeleine (lignes 8 et 14), Auber (RER A)

Bus 20, 21, 27, 29, 32, 45, 52, 66, 68, 95, N15, N16

Calculate my route
Car park

Q-Park Edouard VII16 16, rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris

Book your parking spot
  • Cloakrooms

    Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.

  • Bars

    Reservation of drinks and light refreshments for the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.

  • Restaurant

    CoCo is open every day from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am. More information on coco-paris.com or at +33 1 42 68 86 80 (reservations).

  • Last-minute tickets

    €10 for seats with a limited view of the stage and special reduced rates are available. 

    LEARN MORE.

  • Parking

    You can park your car at the Q-Park Edouard VII. It is located at Rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris (in front of 23 Rue de Caumartin).

    BOOK YOUR PARKING PLACE.

At the Palais Garnier, buy €10 tickets for seats in the 6th category (very limited visibility, two tickets maximum per person) on the day of the performance at the Box offices.

In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:

  • €25 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
  • €40 tickets for senior citizens over 65

Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.

Palais Garnier
  • Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until performances end
  • Get in from Place de l’Opéra or from within the theatre’s public areas
  • For more information: +33 1 53 43 03 97

Palais Garnier

Place de l'Opéra

75009 Paris

Public transport

Underground Opéra (lignes 3, 7 et 8), Chaussée d’Antin (lignes 7 et 9), Madeleine (lignes 8 et 14), Auber (RER A)

Bus 20, 21, 27, 29, 32, 45, 52, 66, 68, 95, N15, N16

Calculate my route
Car park

Q-Park Edouard VII16 16, rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris

Book your parking spot
  • Cloakrooms

    Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.

  • Bars

    Reservation of drinks and light refreshments for the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.

  • Restaurant

    CoCo is open every day from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am. More information on coco-paris.com or at +33 1 42 68 86 80 (reservations).

  • Last-minute tickets

    €10 for seats with a limited view of the stage and special reduced rates are available. 

    LEARN MORE.

  • Parking

    You can park your car at the Q-Park Edouard VII. It is located at Rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris (in front of 23 Rue de Caumartin).

    BOOK YOUR PARKING PLACE.

At the Palais Garnier, buy €10 tickets for seats in the 6th category (very limited visibility, two tickets maximum per person) on the day of the performance at the Box offices.

In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:

  • €25 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
  • €40 tickets for senior citizens over 65

Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.

Palais Garnier
  • Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until performances end
  • Get in from Place de l’Opéra or from within the theatre’s public areas
  • For more information: +33 1 53 43 03 97

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9 min

George Balanchine

Choreographer: George Balanchine

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Partners

  • With the support of The American Friends of the Paris Opera & Ballet

  • Mécène du rayonnement international de l'Opéra

  • Sponsor of Soirée Balanchine

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