It was indeed in the costume of Albrecht – the lovesick suitor of the tragic Giselle – that, just over two years ago, the young dancer was promoted to Étoile. Alongside Dorothée Gilbert, who performed as Giselle, he wrote a new chapter in the history of the Paris Opera Ballet.

Yet at the time of this consecration, Guillaume Diop was still only a Sujet – in other words, a junior soloist promoted from the corps de ballet. Like several illustrious Étoiles before him, such as Hugo Marchand and Dorothée Gilbert, he failed his first promotion competition to the rank of Coryphée (a confirmed member of the corps de ballet). In June 2021, three years after joining the company, he landed his first true solo role while still just a Quadrille substitute in the corps de ballet. That year, he performed Romeo for the first time opposite Étoile Léonore Baulac in Rudolf Nureyev’s ballet set to Prokofiev’s sublime score.

It was partly due to a series of injuries suffered by other dancers during the 2022–2023 season – notably during performances of Swan Lake – that Guillaume Diop emerged as a potential future Étoile. When the company embarked on its tour in South Korea, he was chosen to perform Albrecht alongside the celebrated Dorothée Gilbert, nearly twenty years his senior. It was then that he was officially named Étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet.

Today, he reprises this iconic role in the Paris Opera Ballet’s 2025–2026 season, on October 18 and 28, 2025. In addition, he will appear in the contemporary dance program Contrastes, running from December 1 to 31, 2025.

Pour découvrir Guillaume Diop dans Giselle, cliquez ici !

Et pour le voir dans le programme Contrastes, c’est ici !

Et pour en savoir plus sur l’actualité de l’Opéra de Paris, cliquez ici !

Guillaume Diop – c – Virginie Ribaut / Musée Grévin

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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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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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Some were lucky enough to immerse themselves in the magical universe of the Ballet of the Paris Opera alongside Bleuenn Battistoni, the renowned Étoile dancer. To mark the revival of The Sleeping Beauty, Rudolf Nureyev’s legendary ballet, the artist engaged in an extraordinary exchange with children aged 6 to 10. In a video published on YouTube and Instagram, she takes them behind the scenes at the Opera Bastille, introducing them to the secrets of ballet and giving them a taste of the challenging art of dancing en pointe!

Bleuenn Battistoni reveals to her young audience the original story of the ballet, far removed from the version popularized by Walt Disney. Inspired by the tale of Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm, the ballet unfolds in a prologue, three acts, and five scenes. It premiered at the renowned Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg on January 15, 1890, set to Tchaikovsky’s music and choreographed by Marius Petipa, whose work has inspired generations of choreographers.

Starting on April 3 2025, Bleuenn Battistoni will step into the role of Princess Aurora, sharing the stage with Guillaume Diop as Prince Désiré. Their duet will once again grace the stage of the Opera Bastille on April 7 and 10.

To se the Ballet of the Sleeping Beauty at the Opera Bastille, go to our website here!

To know more about the Paris Opera, click here!

“L’Opéra de Paris vu par les enfants avec Bleuenn Battistoni” – c – Vidéo YouTube de l’Opéra de Paris

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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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On March 1st, Mathieu Ganio bid farewell to the Parisian stage after a final performance as Onegin in John Cranko’s ballet.

A few weeks later, in April, Ludmila Pagliero will also take her leave from the Palais Garnier stage following a performance of a contemporary program featuring choreographies by Mats Ek and Sharon Eyal. As the first Argentine Étoile of the company, appointed in 2012, Ludmila Pagliero has enriched the institution’s history with her unique journey and commitment on stage.

These departures are part of the natural renewal of the Paris Opera Ballet, creating opportunities for a new generation of dancers to rise on the stages of the Palais Garnier, the Opéra Bastille and worldwide.

This cycle will continue in 2026 with the departure of another emblematic figure, Dorothée Gilbert. After a career filled with major roles, she will take her final bow in a performance of Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon, following in the footsteps of Aurélie Dupont. She will likely be joined by her longtime partner, Hugo Marchand.

A new chapter will then begin for the company, carried forward by the legacy of these stars who continue to shape its history.

To go seeing Ludmila Pagliero before she bid farewell to the parisian stage, click here! 

Mathieu Ganio & Ludmila Pagliero –  c – IkAubert

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For ballet, it is indeed at the Palais Garnier that we will admire great titles like Onegin, the masterpiece by the great choreographer John Cranko, or Sylvia in Manuel Legris‘s new classical choreography, and the moving Mayerling by Kenneth MacMillan. Garnier will also host the magnificent choreographers of the season: Maurice Béjart, William Forsythe, Mats Ek, Sharon Eyal, Hofesh Shechter, and Alexander Ekman, not to be missed. However, the grand stage of the Opéra Bastille welcomes two absolute masterpieces of white ballet with Paquita by Pierre Lacotte for the 2024 year-end holidays and the immortal Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky. With choreography by Rudolf Nureyev, these are two shows that must be seen at least once in a lifetime. It is highly recommended to book these dance shows as soon as possible because demand is always very high for the Paris Opera Ballet.

Alexander Neef marks this 2024-2025 season at the Opéra Bastille with originality. As he did with Beatrice di Tenda or La Vestale last season, long-forgotten great titles return, such as Castor et Pollux by Rameau or Les Brigands by Offenbach, which are on the bill at the Palais Garnier. The new productions at Bastille are particularly anticipated, notably Puccini’s Il Trittico. Three operas in one evening to move from laughter to tears with a major international star finally on the bill at the Paris National Opera. The well-known soprano Asmik Grigorian will draw crowds, and it is best to book tickets in advance to avoid missing the event. Another new production will make a big splash this 2024-2025 season. One of the greatest events of the season is undoubtedly Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande, with staging by the well-known theater director Wajdi Mouawad. The cast is exceptional, featuring the incandescent Sabine Devieilhe in one of her greatest roles, the superb Huw Montague Rendall (also Gordon Bintner, Sophie Koch, and Jean Teitgen) with direction by the exciting conductor Antonello Manacorda. Although we always lament the incomprehensible absence of Karine Deshayes at the peak of her vocal powers, many French colleagues are on the bill, such as Ludovic Tézier. One of the greatest baritones of his generation, he is a regular at Bastille, but this time he embodies his very first Wotan in Das Rheingold, the first episode of a long-announced tetralogy finally on the bill! (tickets to be reserved as soon as possible).

By inviting great French opera stars, Alexander Neef has undoubtedly learned the lesson of the immortal Régine Crespin, who was celebrated everywhere else in her time except on the stage of the Paris National Opera. Do not miss the invaluable Julie Fuchs and the boisterous Lawrence Brownlee and Lionel Lhote in Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment, with two other adored stars, Susan Graham and Felicity Lott, in Laurent Pelly’s perfect production. Opera tickets will quickly be snapped up to see Roberto Alagna or Benjamin Bernheim as Chevalier Des Grieux in Massenet’s Manon. The greatest tenors of their generation have partners like Amina Edris and Nadine Sierra. There are many eventful operas this season at the Opéra Bastille because among the revivals, there is, for example, Bellini’s I Puritani with a dream cast (Lisette Oropesa and Lawrence Brownlee). Ambrogio Maestri is an invaluable Falstaff to see absolutely, as is Pene Pati in this very successful production of Faust (Tobias Kratzer); as we can see, the great voices are well represented at Bastille with also the splendid soprano Elena Stikhina in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, celebrated in 2024 for this anniversary season. Verdi’s Don Carlos is worth seeing for its exceptional cast as the greatest artists are gathered, including Charles Castronovo, Marina Rebeka, Ekaterina Gubanova, and Christian Van Horn. There is no shortage of opportunities to book seats at the Paris National Opera this 2024-2025 season, which promises to be truly magnificent.

Book your tickets now for the new 2024-2025 season at the Opéra Bastille

© Christian Leiber

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