Angelin Preljocaj

Angelin Preljocaj
Name	Angelin Preljocaj
Birth date	1957
Birth place	Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
Occupation	Choreographer, dancer
Years active	1984–present
Known for	Contemporary ballet, Ballet Preljocaj

Angelin Preljocaj is a French choreographer and dancer noted for founding Ballet Preljocaj and for pioneering a synthesis of classical ballet and contemporary dance. He has created repertory for major international companies and collaborated with institutions across Europe and the United States. His work often engages with literature, visual art, and music, bringing together diverse artistic partners from opera houses, museums, and festivals.

Early life and education

Born in Arles in 1957 to a family of Albanian origin, Preljocaj spent his formative years in Provence and studied in regional conservatories associated with the French Ministry of Culture, including institutions linked to Paris Opera Ballet School alumni and networks like the Conservatoire de Paris. He trained in classical ballet techniques while encountering contemporary dance through teachers connected to Merce Cunningham and Martha Graham traditions, and later attended workshops influenced by choreographers from the Cunningham Dance Foundation and the Nederlands Dans Theater. His early exposure to theatrical institutions such as the Comédie-Française and venues like the Théâtre National de Chaillot informed his interdisciplinary outlook.

Dance career

Preljocaj began his professional trajectory in the 1970s and early 1980s amid a European scene shaped by figures such as Maurice Béjart, Pina Bausch, Rudolf Nureyev, and companies like the Ballets de Monte-Carlo. He founded Ballet Preljocaj in 1984 in Aix-en-Provence, positioning the company within circuits that include the Opéra National de Paris, the La Scala Theatre Ballet, the Royal Ballet, and the American Ballet Theatre. Touring extensively, his company appeared at festivals such as the Festival d'Avignon, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Salzburg Festival, and venues like the Tate Modern and the Lincoln Center. Preljocaj has also collaborated with directors from the Comédie-Française, conductors from the Orchestre de Paris, and designers who have worked with the Centre Pompidou and the Musée d'Orsay.

Choreographic style and influences

Preljocaj’s choreography merges elements from classical ballet repertoires associated with companies like the Ballets Russes and innovations from contemporary creators such as William Forsythe and Ohad Naharin. His movement vocabulary often references the codified techniques of the Paris Opera Ballet while incorporating contemporary approaches seen in works by Alvin Ailey and Trisha Brown. He draws dramaturgical inspiration from writers and playwrights linked to Jean Racine, Samuel Beckett, Arthur Rimbaud, and contemporary authors whose texts have been staged at institutions like the Comédie-Française and the Théâtre de la Ville. Visual and musical collaborations with figures from the École des Beaux-Arts, composers affiliated with the IRCAM, and filmmakers who worked with the Cannes Film Festival further shape his aesthetic.

Major works and commissions

Preljocaj’s repertory includes notable pieces staged by major houses: his adaptation of Romeo and Juliet for companies influenced by William Shakespeare sources, a reinterpretation of Giselle resonant with productions at the Opéra National de Paris, and original ballets premiered at the Festival d'Avignon and the Théâtre National de Chaillot. He has been commissioned by institutions such as the Paris Opera, the Ballet du Rhin, the Kirov Ballet (now Mariinsky Ballet), the Royal Swedish Ballet, and the Metropolitan Opera. Film and media projects brought him into collaboration with festivals like the Cannes Film Festival and broadcasters connected to Arte and the BBC. His museum projects have involved partnerships with the Musée du Louvre, the Centre Pompidou, and the Fondation Cartier.

Awards and recognition

Preljocaj has received honors from French and international bodies including distinctions similar to those awarded by the Ministry of Culture (France), and prizes presented at events like the Molière Awards and the Laurence Olivier Awards-level ceremonies. He has been recognized by institutions such as the Académie des Beaux-Arts and arts councils associated with the European Commission and cultural programs of the Council of Europe. His company has earned critical acclaim at festivals including the Avignon Festival and the Venice Biennale.

Personal life and legacy

Preljocaj’s personal life has been shaped by his Albanian heritage and his long-term residence in Provence, while his legacy is preserved through Ballet Preljocaj, archives held in collaboration with municipal entities like the City of Aix-en-Provence, and partnerships with organizations such as the Institut Français and cultural networks tied to the European Union. His influence is evident in choreographers trained at conservatories such as the Conservatoire de Paris and in repertories of companies like the National Ballet of Canada and the Dutch National Ballet. Ongoing retrospectives and commissions ensure his presence within programs at the Opéra Bastille, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, and international festivals, sustaining dialogues with contemporary dance, ballet institutions, and the wider performing arts community.

Category:French choreographers Category:1957 births Category:Living people