Nice Ballet season to begin this weekend

The ballet 'Oceana' will form part of this season's artistic calendar. Copyright D.Jaussein

With a diverse range of performances interpreted by choreographers Maurice Béjart, Lucinda Childs and Nacho Duato, this year’s show unites an array of cultures with a variety of musical creations including pieces from the Spanish golden era.

First created in 1947 by then deputy mayor of Nice Pierre Pasquini, le Ballet de l’Opéra de Nice’s first production, ‘Madame Françoise Adret’ was a resounding success. Until 1959, the dancing gems of Nice Ballet created masterpiece after masterpiece, and it was not until September 2009, after the company underwent a huge image revitalisation, that the ballet house took to the stage once again.
 
Held over 5 days, ‘Chorus in Spiritus’ will follow three separate stories. ‘Cantante 51’, performed to the sublime music of Bach, depicts the fight between good and evil as Archangel Gabriel reveals the new life of the Virgin Mary. After its storming success at Théatre de Verdure last July, ‘Oceana’ will also feature, a performance inspired by the music of composer Osvaldo Golijov and the integration of cultural identities. Finally, ‘Por Vos Mueros’ looks at contemporary dance alongside history. Set in the 15th and 16th centuries, the dance portrays life and emotion from all levels of society. This year’s season runs until April 2012.

Monte Carlo Ballet will kick off next Friday 21st October at 8:30pm. Directed by Jean-Christophe Maillot, the show will run over three days until Sunday 23rd October with prices ranging from 10 to 33 euros.

Louise Kirby