THE INTERNET BALLET DATABASE

Ballet of the Opera national du Rhin

Founded in 1972, the Ballet du Rhin, which has since become the Ballet of the Opéra national du Rhin, has journeyed far. From Strasbourg to Mulhouse firstly where it settled in its premises in 1974. In Alsace, France and then the world, it has travelled as an acknowledged ambassador for dance, ever growing through the talent of its successive "bosses": Jean Babilée, Denis Carey, Peter Van Dyk, Jean Sarelli, Jean-Paul Gravier and now Bertrand d'At. Through their personal influence and artistic choices, they have all contributed to turning this company into a dance troupe whose expertise and quality is unanimously acclaimed.
The Ballet of the Opéra national du Rhin is one of the rare French companies to move seamlessly from baroque to modern and from classical to contemporary styles, so that every mode of dance can be appreciated to the full. The long list of choreographers from Bournonville to Jo Strømgren, not forgetting Balanchine, Kylián, Béjart, Forsythe and Lucinda Childs, merely serves to illustrate this illustrious journey. Its repertoire also includes classic ballets such as La Sylphide and Giselle and re-interpretations of iconic masterpieces such as Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker Suite and Coppelia, which act as landmarks for the great 20th-century choreographers, and creations solicited of both young choreographers and seasoned artists.
The company consists of a troupe of 33 permanent dancers from the world over, who, in addition to their solid academic training, must be able to take on board and explore in depth a broad variety of styles.