A star among stars, it was only after a long and difficult road that Dorothée Gilbert succeeded in reaching the ultimate rank in November 2007 after a
performance of The Nutcracker.

Contrary to popular belief, she didn’t get into the prestigious Ecole de danse de l’Opéra national de Paris on the first try. It was only through hard work that she gained a place in the prestigious school on her second attempt, in 1995, at the age of 13. Like many other dancers who have gone on to become soloists or stars of the company, she spent two years as a Quadrille, i.e. replacing members of the corps de ballet.

She won prestigious awards in her first years as a professional dancer: firstly, the Prix AROP de la danse in 2003, then the Cercle Carpeaux in 2004 and the Prix Leonide Massine in Positano, Italy, as well as the Prix Ballet 2000 in Cannes in 2006. Much later, in 2022, she received the Prize for best choreographic performer from the Syndicat professionnel de la Critique Théâtre, Musique et Danse.

The duo she forms with Hugo Marchand, 10 years her junior, has also built a legend. Since their artistic encounter in 2015 during performances of Kenneth MacMillan‘s ballet Manon, the dancers have enchanted Parisian audiences with the intensity of their interpretation.

Dorothée Gilbert is a role model in the world of dance, thanks to her determination and hard work. After the performances of Giselle, she will be back in the Contrastes program with O złożony / O composite by choreographer Trisha Brown.

This is the last full season for the dancer, who turns 42 this season and will bid farewell to the stage in September 2026.

To see Dorothée Gilbert in Giselle, click here, and to see her in Contrastes, click here!

To find out more about the Paris Opera Ballet, click here!

Dorothée Gilbert in rehearsal and on stage in the ballet Giselle – c – Maria-helena Buckley & Agathe Poupeney

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This contemporary ballet, entitled Red Carpet, had its world premiere at the Palais Garnier on 10 June 2025. It marks an important stage in the choreographer’s career: it is his very first creation specially conceived for the Opéra national de Paris. True to his characteristic style, Hofesh Shechter has also created the soundtrack for Red Carpet, a haunting music with folkloric overtones that matches his “glamorous” and“punk” choreography.

In Red Carpet, the thirteen dancers of the Opera are not the only ones to occupy the stage. The emblematic red curtain and the majestic chandelier of the Palais Garnier also play a central role, almost as characters in their own right. But why this focus on the décor? When asked about the meaning of the title, Hofesh Shechter remains enigmatic: he simply wanted “to make a nod to the Opera“.

Red Carpet is set to seduce audiences across the Atlantic. The troupe will perform from 2 to 4 October 2025 at the Berkeley Theatre in San Francisco, then from 9 to 12 October 2025 at the New York City Center.

In the meantime, the creation continues to impress Parisian audiences. Red Carpet is on show at the Palais Garnier until 14 July 2025.

To see Hofesh Shechter’s creation at Garnier, click here!

To find out more about the latest news from the Paris Opera, click here.

Premiere of Red Carpet at the Palais Garnier – c – Julien Benhamou

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From 27 June to 14 July 2026, the Paris Opera Ballet will revive her masterpiece The Seasons’ Canon, a creation that has become iconic since its premiere in 2016.

Crystal Pite is one of the most beloved contemporary choreographers among Parisian audiences. Her monumental work Body and Soul, created in 2019 for the Paris Opera’s 350th anniversary, left a lasting impression with its dramatic intensity and groundbreaking choreographic storytelling.

With the return of The Seasons’ Canon, she invites spectators once more into her hypnotic world, set to Max Richter’s reimagining of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

The piece is renowned for its striking visual effect, with the dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet forming a human tide that moves in perfect unison, echoing the structure of a musical canon and creating the illusion of a constant flow. There are no solo stars here—only a celebration of the collective, where every body contributes to a living fresco in perpetual motion.

This much-anticipated revival already promises to be one of the standout events of the 2025–2026 season. Fans of contemporary dance and loyal followers of the Paris Opera alike are sure to snap up tickets to (re)discover the brilliance of Crystal Pite.

To be the first to have your tickets for the performance, click here!

The Season Canon by le Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris & Crystal Pite – c – Julien Benhamou & Anoush Abrar

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To be fair, José Martinez, the company’s Director of Dance, has pulled off quite the coup: the first cast brings together no fewer than five Étoiles of the Paris Opera Ballet on the Garnier stage — a rare and resplendent event within the company’s historic walls. The tale of Diana’s nymph will be brought vividly to life by Amandine Albisson in the title role, with Germain Louvet as Aminta, Guillaume Diop as Eros, and Marc Moreau as Orion. As for Diana, goddess of the hunt, she will be portrayed by Roxane Stojanov — newly promoted to Étoile at the dawn of 2025!

Manuel Legris, a former Étoile of the company and now a distinguished choreographer, offers a faithful revival of Louis Mérante’s original version, set to the luminous score by Léo Delibes. Faithful, however, does not mean static — Manuel Legris has infused the work with the elegance of the French ballet tradition, combined with a thoroughly modern technical rigour.

And with a five-star cast already in place, José Martinez has entrusted the supporting roles to the company’s virtuoso Premiers Danseurs — Florent Mélac will dance Endymion, Francesco Mura becomes the Faun, and the radiant young Inès McIntosh, full of promise, will perform the Naiad. By spotlighting soloists beloved by audiences — some already prizewinners — José Martinez signals his intention to shake up the company’s famously hierarchical system by offering rising stars a chance to shine now, not later.

The premiere of Sylvia, now entering the Paris Opera Ballet’s repertoire, is already nearly sold out — but this same dazzling constellation of dancers will return for performances on 10, 21 and 23 May 2025.

Secure your seats now — before they vanish!

CLICK HERE FOR THE LAST REMAINING TICKETS!

To learn more about this new production, click also here!

Amandine Albisson, Marc Moreau, Germain Louvet, Guillaume Diop & Roxane Stojanov – c – James Bort & Matthew Brookes (source : OnP)

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Recognised as a prima ballerina assoluta, Alessandra Ferri has left an indelible mark on the stages of the Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theater, and La Scala. Beyond her international acclaim as a dancer, she has also distinguished herself as a répétiteur and mentore, guiding some of today’s most prominent stars in the ballet world. Her appointment heralds a new era and a daring artistic vision for Vienna’s ballet scene.

And she isn’t wasting any time: Alessandra Ferri has already enticed three principal dancers from the Bayerisches Staatsballett — Madison Young, António Casalinho, and Margarita Fernandes — to follow her to Vienna. This high-profile transfer, orchestrated from the company led by Laurent Hilaire (the former dazzling étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet), underscores the new director’s ambition to elevate the artistic excellence of the Wiener Staatsballett.

Before handing over the reins, Martin Schläpfer will unveil his final creations. From 21st April 2025 through to June, ballet lovers will witness Pathétique, a programme that places Schläpfer’s choreography alongside works by George Balanchine and Merce Cunningham.

These performances will mark the end of one era and the stirring dawn of another — a new era we imagine to be deeply inspired by the poetic and visionary spirit of Alessandra Ferri.

To attend the programme of the Wiener Staatsballett, click here!

Alessandra Ferri & Laurent Hilaire – c – Amber Hunt & Julian Baumann

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Designed as a springboard into professional life, the Junior Ballet’s mission is to train and support a new generation of dancers selected to follow a two-year programme at most. By offering a carefully supervised stage experience, it enables these young artists to develop autonomy, physical stamina, and stage presence – all essential qualities for eventually joining a major company such as the Paris Opera Ballet.

Unlike the main troupe, the Junior Ballet does not perform in Paris’s iconic venues like the Palais Garnier or the Opéra Bastille, but instead focuses on a broader reach, both across France and internationally.

This initiative is also a wonderful opportunity for ballet enthusiasts and world-renowned dance companies to scout the talents and future stars of tomorrow. After a stop in Greece, the Junior Ballet will take to the stage of the Royal Opera of Versailles from 12 to 14 June 2025, presenting a programme that brings together leading names in neo-classical and contemporary choreography, such as George Balanchine, Maurice Béjart, and José Martinez himself.

A unique chance to witness the next generation of dance in a truly exceptional heritage setting.

Prenez-vite vos places pour voir le Junior Ballet, en cliquant ici !

Junior Ballet with José Martinez – c – Julien Benhamou

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This revival is all the more symbolic as Sylvia was the very first classical ballet choreographed at Garnier in 1876, just one year after the inauguration of this true cultural temple and one of Paris’ most iconic landmarks.

Created by Louis Mérante, a former Étoile dancer who became the ballet master of the prestigious institution, it is one of the great classical ballets that defined its era. Despite its renown, this work remains rare and is seldom performed in the repertoire of the Paris Opera Ballet.

Long forgotten, Sylvia experienced a resurgence in 1952 thanks to the choreography of Frederick Ashton, artistic director of the Royal Ballet. His version quickly became a staple in the repertoire of the world’s leading ballet companies.

Today, Manuel Legris carries the torch for the Paris Opera Ballet. Created in 2018 for La Scala Ballet in Milan, his choreography now officially enters the repertoire of the Paris Opera Ballet.

With a renewed approach while remaining deeply faithful to classical dance, Manuel Legris brings a deeper dimension to the characters, particularly Diana, goddess of the hunt, and Sylvia, a prisoner of her own laws. This enriched vision adds an extra layer of dramatic intensity to a work that has left its mark on Garnier’s stage history. Like Rudolf Nureyev before him, Manuel Legris gives greater prominence to male roles, elevating them to the same technical level as the female characters.

An event not to be missed, where the grace and power of ballet promise to captivate the audience at the Palais Garnier!

To book your tickets, click here!

Affiche Sylvia – c – OnP

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After 26 years on British soil, Marianela Nunez, the star of the Royal Ballet, has been yet awarded with another medal!

In 2023, following the first performance of Frederick Ashton‘s Cinderella, she was rewarded for her 25 years with the famous English company. On 1 January 2025, the Argentine ballerina was awarded the title of “Officer of the British Empire“. Equivalent to the French “Legion of Honour“, this prestigious title is conferred honorarily on the subjects of King Charles III.

Since 2000, when she became Principal dancer of the Royal Ballet, the artist has gradually established herself as one of the symbols of British art. Over the course of her brilliant career, she has been voted Best Dancer 4 times by the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards. Invited to perform on every continent, she has appeared in Giselle in Paris, as Aurora in the Sleeping Beauty in Buenos Aires and Manon in Milan, becoming the ambassador of British ballet around the world.

Following her series of performances of Cinderella, she will be Tatiana in John Cranko‘s ballet Onegin at Covent Garden in 2025.

To assist at the performance of Marianela Nunez in Onegin, go to our website !

Marianela Nunez – c – Manuel Cascallar

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At the end of the performance on Saturday 28 December 2025 at the Opéra Bastille, the young dancer was nominated to the  applause of the audience, who were always very moved by her performance. At less than 30 years old, the artist has been recognised for the excellence of her work by Alexander Neef and Jose Martinez, who took to the stage to announce the promotion.

Roxane Stojanov‘s fine career now continues as an Etoile who will shine in February and March 2025 as Olga in John Cranko‘s ballet Onegin. The dancer will then appear in Appartement, a masterpiece by Mats Ek, also scheduled for April 2025 at the Palais Garnier.

To book your tickets for a performance of the Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris, go to our website !

Roxane Stojanov promoted Etoile – c – Maria-Helena Buckley (Onp)

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