The Paris Opéra Ballet Is Coming, And There's No Excuse To Miss Them
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 25, 2012 4:00PM
You’ve seen the posters around town: “The French Are Coming” complete with a bold image of red-pointed shoes. Well they’re almost here, and it will be their first time visiting Chicago. (Ed Note: The Tribune says the Paris Opéra Ballet performed in Chicago once before, in 1948, though the ballet says they have no knowledge of this.—CS) It’s been 15 years since the Paris Opéra Ballet performed anywhere in the U.S., and they return with a repertoire of three programs, plus the American debut of Giselle.
The Paris Opéra Ballet is the epitome of classic ballet with roots extending all the way back to the reign of King Louis XIV (for you history buffs, that’s the mid-15th and early 16th century). In fact, Giselle was written specifically for the Paris Opéra Ballet in 1841 by poet Theophile Gautier. But that doesn’t mean they’re stuck in the stuffy past. The Company has, since its inception, considered itself a “center for creation” as well as a “repository for the repertoire.” The three pieces in their mixed repertoire, Epic French Masterpieces, “offer a journey into three eras of dance - romanticism, neo-classicism and modern dance—all three artistic orientations being representative of our Company,” says Brigitte Lefèvre, Paris Opéra’s Director of Dance. The three diverse 20th century pieces include Serge Lifar’s Suite en blanc, Roland Petit’s L’Arlesienne and Maruice Bèjart’s version of Bolèro.
In a special, first time collaboration for Harris Theater, the Paris Opéra Ballet will be accompanied by our city’s very own Grant Park Orchestra. “I am committed to making Chicago a worldwide destination for arts and creativity," says Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who will be hosting a black-tie dinner after the opening night gala. “...this will be a unique opportunity for Chicago’s world class arts community to collaborate with the world-famous Paris Opéra Ballet.” Another special first for the city will be a simulcast presentation of Giselle on a state-of-the-art 18’ x 32’ LED screen on the Pritzker Pavilion stage on Wednesday, June 27. This free outdoor event is the first time a performance by an international ballet company will be simulcast in this way in the US (the night before, they will also be screening the 1951 film An American in Paris on the same screen).
The Paris Opéra Ballet’s week-long stay begins tomorrow, June 26. Tickets range from $55 to $135. Tickets to the opening night gala, which include a champagne reception before the performance, start at $125.