Les Ballets de Monte Carlo
Encyclopedia
Les Ballets de Monte Carlo is a classical ballet
company established in 1985 by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Hanover
in accordance with the wishes of her mother, Princess Grace of Monaco
. It is the official, national company of the Principality of Monaco
.
, contemporary pieces from guest choreographer
s such as Kevin Haigen, John Clifford, Jean-Christophe Maillot
, Dieter Amman, Uwe Scholz. In 1989, Jean Yves Esquerre becomes artistic director, after the departure of Ghislaine Thesmar and Pierre Lacotte one year earlier.
In 1992, Jean-Christophe Maillot joined Ballets de Monte Carlo, first as artistic consultant. He was officially promoted to the rank of director-choreographer in September 1993. Four years later, thanks to his vision and his energy, the Ballets de Monte Carlo left the building that had been their historical home, which had by then become too small, and moved into their own dance center: L'ATELIER. Further, in December 2000, they inaugurated their first ballet season on the huge stage of the Salle des Princes at the brand new congress center in Monaco, the Grimaldi Forum
. These were two turning points in the modern history of the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, and the beginning of a new dance era in Monaco.
Classical ballet
Classical Ballet is the most formal of the ballet styles, it adheres to traditional ballet technique. There are variations relating to area of origin, such as Russian ballet, French ballet, British ballet and Italian ballet...
company established in 1985 by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Hanover
Caroline, Princess of Hanover
Caroline, Princess of Hanover, Hereditary Princess of Monaco , formally styled Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover , has been heiress presumptive to the throne of Monaco since 2005, a position which she previously held from 1957 to 1958.She is the wife of...
in accordance with the wishes of her mother, Princess Grace of Monaco
Grace Kelly
Grace Patricia Kelly was an American actress who, in April 1956, married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, to become Princess consort of Monaco, styled as Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco, and commonly referred to as Princess Grace.After embarking on an acting career in 1950, at the age of...
. It is the official, national company of the Principality of Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
.
History
The first performance for Les Ballets de Monte Carlo took place on 1985-12-21, casting among others several guest stars of the Paris Opera. Directed by Ghislaine Thesmar and Pierre Lacotte, the company rehearsed in the Diaghilev studio, performing on the stage of the Salle Garnier at the Monte Carlo Opera and immediately started touring. Their repertoire includes works from the Ballets RussesBallets Russes
The Ballets Russes was an itinerant ballet company from Russia which performed between 1909 and 1929 in many countries. Directed by Sergei Diaghilev, it is regarded as the greatest ballet company of the 20th century. Many of its dancers originated from the Imperial Ballet of Saint Petersburg...
, contemporary pieces from guest choreographer
Choreography
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
s such as Kevin Haigen, John Clifford, Jean-Christophe Maillot
Jean-Christophe Maillot
Jean-Christophe Maillot is a French dancer and choreographer born in Tours.- Early life & education :He studied at the dance conservatory in Tours before enrolling at the upper school of dance in Cannes, where Rosella Hightower was his primary teacher.- Career :Maillot was invited by John Neumeier...
, Dieter Amman, Uwe Scholz. In 1989, Jean Yves Esquerre becomes artistic director, after the departure of Ghislaine Thesmar and Pierre Lacotte one year earlier.
In 1992, Jean-Christophe Maillot joined Ballets de Monte Carlo, first as artistic consultant. He was officially promoted to the rank of director-choreographer in September 1993. Four years later, thanks to his vision and his energy, the Ballets de Monte Carlo left the building that had been their historical home, which had by then become too small, and moved into their own dance center: L'ATELIER. Further, in December 2000, they inaugurated their first ballet season on the huge stage of the Salle des Princes at the brand new congress center in Monaco, the Grimaldi Forum
Grimaldi Forum
Grimaldi Forum, Monaco is a conference & congress centre located on the seafront of Monaco's eastern beach quartier, Larvotto. Les Ballets de Monte Carlo and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra regularly perform here...
. These were two turning points in the modern history of the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, and the beginning of a new dance era in Monaco.