Ballet Preljocaj

Ballet Preljocaj
Name	Ballet Preljocaj
Founded	1985
Founder	Angelin Preljocaj
Location	Aix-en-Provence, France

Ballet Preljocaj is a contemporary dance company founded in 1985 by choreographer Angelin Preljocaj. The company is based in Aix-en-Provence and has been resident at the Pavillon Noir since 2006. It is known for blending elements of ballet technique with contemporary dance vocabularies, creating works that have toured internationally to venues such as the Lincoln Center, Teatro alla Scala, and Theatre du Châtelet.

History

Angelin Preljocaj established the company in 1985 after training influenced by institutions like the Paris Opera Ballet and figures such as Maurice Béjart and Pina Bausch. Early seasons included performances at festivals such as Festival d'Avignon and collaborations with presenters like the Théâtre National de Chaillot and the Opéra national de Paris. In 2006 the company moved into the Pavillon Noir, a building designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti, adjacent to institutions such as the University of Provence and cultural sites like the Musée Granet. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s the company expanded its touring circuit to include engagements with ensembles and venues including the Royal Opera House, Bolshoi Theatre, Sydney Opera House, and festivals such as the Edinburgh Festival and the Biennale de Venice.

Artistic Direction and Style

Under Angelin Preljocaj's leadership, the company's artistic direction synthesizes classical lines with influences from choreographers such as George Balanchine, Merce Cunningham, William Forsythe, and Jerome Robbins. The aesthetic often references visual artists like Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and Marina Abramović, and composers including Igor Stravinsky, John Cage, Philip Glass, and Arvo Pärt. Costume and stage collaborations have involved designers associated with Yves Saint Laurent, Issey Miyake, and scenographers working for institutions like the Comédie-Française. The company's repertory demonstrates affinities with companies such as Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, National Ballet of Canada, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Repertoire and Notable Works

Signature works by Angelin Preljocaj include creations that reference literary and musical canons like adaptations of Giselle themes, reinterpretations of works by Homer and Ovid, and original pieces set to music by Maurice Ravel, Ludwig van Beethoven, and contemporary composers associated with ensembles like the London Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre National de France. Notable premieres appeared at venues such as Palais Garnier, Carnegie Hall, and the Schauspielhaus Zürich. Repertory items have been staged alongside works by choreographers affiliated with American Ballet Theatre, Dutch National Ballet, and the Kirov Ballet to situate Preljocaj within an international contemporary-ballet dialogue.

Collaborations and Commissions

The company has collaborated with a wide range of artists and institutions: choreographic exchanges with William Forsythe-linked companies, musical commissions for composers connected to Deutsche Grammophon, and audiovisual projects with filmmakers associated with festivals like Cannes Film Festival. Residencies and commissions have been supported by cultural bodies such as the Ministry of Culture (France), the European Commission, the CNC (France), and municipal partners in cities like Aix-en-Provence and Marseille. Collaborative projects have included work with opera houses including the Opéra-Comique and orchestras like the Orchestre de Paris.

Company Structure and Dancers

The company maintains a roster of dancers drawn from conservatoires and schools including the Conservatoire de Paris, the École de Danse de l'Opéra de Paris, and international academies such as the Royal Ballet School and the Juilliard School. Administrative and artistic staff have often included alumni of institutions like the Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques and managers formerly connected to companies such as Béjart Ballet Lausanne and Birmingham Royal Ballet. The Pavillon Noir houses rehearsal studios comparable to those at the Maison de la Danse and provides production facilities used in co-productions with theaters like the Théâtre du Châtelet.

Tours and International Reception

Ballet Preljocaj has toured extensively across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, performing at international festivals such as Festival de Cannes (for film-dance projects), the Lincoln Center Festival, the Spoleto Festival, and the Hong Kong Arts Festival. Reviews and programming have appeared in media outlets alongside coverage of companies like Royal Ballet and Paris Opera Ballet, and the company's performances have been presented at historic venues including Teatro Colón, Bunkamura, and the Bolshoi Theatre. Cultural exchanges have involved partnerships with diplomatic cultural services such as the Institut Français and national arts councils like the Arts Council England.

Awards and Recognition

The company and Angelin Preljocaj have received awards and honors from cultural institutions such as the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, prizes at competitions like the Prix Benois de la Danse, and recognition from municipal and national entities including the Ministry of Culture (France). Critical acclaim has placed the company alongside recipients of awards given to peers such as Pina Bausch, Maurice Béjart, and William Forsythe in international dance prize circuits and festival accolades.

Category:French contemporary dance companies Category:Companies established in 1985