The Paris Opera and its Director Alexander Neef and the Grand Théâtre de Provence and its Director Dominique Bluzet are delighted to pursue their three-year partnership for the 2023/24 season with, among other projects, a series of performances by the Ballet - which will present a classical and neoclassical programme during four performances on the 27, 28, 29 and 30 September 2023 at the Grand Théâtre de Provence.

Between May and July 2023, two social centres of the northern districts of Marseille had access to a “discovery” session with several workshops to introduce dance to an audience of 40 people from 12 to 18 years old, which will be maintained throughout September during the Ballet’s residency.

An exceptional performance given by the Paris Opera Orchestra and soprano Julie Fuchs is also scheduled for April, 5 2024 at the Grand Théâtre de Provence, with a programme dedicated to French composers Claude Debussy, Joseph Canteloube, Edgard Varèse and Maurice Ravel.

With the Étoiles, the Premières Danseuses, the Premiers Danseurs and the Paris Opera Corps de Ballet

• Discussion with José Martinez, Dance Director of the Paris Opera Ballet, in the Grand Théâtre’s lobby. This meeting will be the occasion to discover the Paris Opera Ballet in a different light and to answer all the audience’s questions.
  On 29 September at 7pm in the Grand Theatre Hall - Meeting hosted by journalist Mélanie Masson.
  

  
  

• Installation of a giant barre on the Grand Théâtre’s terrasse - classical ballet dance class given by a teacher of the Paris Opera Ballet. The Grand Théâtre de Provence and the Paris Opera Ballet organise a ballet introduction class for all.
  Barre given by Andrey Klemm, with pianist Naruko Tsuji, on Saturday 30 September from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.

• Masterclass by Elisabeth Platel to Conservatoire students and young professionals
  Wednesday 27 September from 4.30pm to 5.30pm in the studio of the Grand Théâtre de Provence
  Piano : Naruko Tsuji

  
  

• Classes on stage for school groups and dance school students
  School groups and dance school students are invited to attend the classes on stage on 28 and 29 September from 11.30am to 1pm. The class may be followed by a discussion with a teacher or dancer.
  
  

Reaching out to audiences who would not otherwise enter a theatre remains a major challenge for cultural institutions. A 'discovery' programme of several workshops to introduce dance and guide an audience of 40 people from 12 to 20 years old will be offered at two social centres in the northern districts of Marseilles (14th arrondissement).

Thanks to last season's experience, the two institutions are committed to continuing their work to share and promote artistic excellence. Following Apolline Anquetil and Andrea Sarri in Septembre 2022, Julien Guillemard and Marion Gautier de Charnacé, dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet, taught their technique and passion to young amateur dancers at the Saint-Gabriel social centre and the Agora social centre (Busserine space), during three workshops held between May and July 2023. Together, they compared their aesthetics: classical, hip-hop, Afro-urban dance... and worked on a choreographic phrase from the performance ‘Gala d'Etoiles’, which they will attend on 29 September 2023 at the Grand Théâtre de Provence.

This programme will then continue throughout Septembre 2023 with visits to the Theatre and its backstage areas, and meetings with the artists and the crew during the residency of the Paris Opera Ballet.

Live streaming of the 30 September performance (2pm) for hospital patients, retirement homes and palliative care centres in the Aix-en-Provence region (La Maison and La Villa Izoï in Gardanne, the geriatrics department of the Pertuis Hospital, the addiction department of the Montperrin Hospital, the oncology department of the Provence Private Hospital, Saint Thomas Hospital, in Aix-en-Provence, La Bosque d’Antonelle in Célony).