Béjart Ballet Lausanne

Béjart Ballet Lausanne
Name	Béjart Ballet Lausanne
Founded	1987
Founder	Maurice Béjart
Location	Lausanne
Venue	Théâtre de Beaulieu
Artistic director	Gil Roman (former), currently restructured
Repertoire	Modern ballet, neoclassical works, contemporary dance-theatre

Béjart Ballet Lausanne is a Swiss-based ballet company founded in 1987 by choreographer Maurice Béjart. The company emerged from the legacy of the Théâtre du Soleil and the Ballet of Maurice Béjart in Brussels, developing a repertoire that integrates music by composers such as Igor Stravinsky, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Sergei Prokofiev, while collaborating with artists linked to institutions like the Paris Opera Ballet, Royal Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre.

History

The troupe traces roots to Maurice Béjart and his earlier companies in Brussels and Marseille, connected to figures such as Georges Balanchine, Rudolf Nureyev, and Margot Fonteyn, and influenced by venues like Théâtre de la Monnaie, La Scala, and Opéra-Comique. Founding in Lausanne followed interactions with entities including the Canton of Vaud, City of Lausanne, and Théâtre de Beaulieu, alongside cultural policies aligned with UNESCO and the European Cultural Foundation. Key moments intersected with festivals such as Festival d'Avignon, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Salzburg Festival, while tours brought the company to landmarks like Lincoln Center, Palais Garnier, Bolshoi Theatre, and Teatro alla Scala. Leadership transitions involved Gil Roman and successors who engaged with choreographers from Pina Bausch's Tanztheater Wuppertal, Ohad Naharin's Batsheva Dance Company, and William Forsythe's Frankfurt Ballet. Historical collaborations referenced the influence of Maurice Ravel, Hector Berlioz, and Maurice Jarre in musical programming and partnerships with institutions like Swiss National Ballet, Théâtre du Châtelet, and Centre Pompidou.

Artistic Direction and Repertoire

Artistic direction emphasized works by Maurice Béjart alongside pieces by choreographers related to the Royal Opera House, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, and Berliner Philharmonie. The repertory combined ballets set to scores by Johann Sebastian Bach, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Philip Glass, presented in contexts linked to conductors from Wiener Philharmoniker, London Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestre de Paris. Staging and design often involved collaborators from Atelier Versace, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and François-Xavier Roth, and featured scenography referencing Musée d'Orsay exhibitions and Palais des Festivals. The company mounted large-scale productions that dialogued with works by Michel Fokine, Antony Tudor, and Jerome Robbins, while exploring contemporary pieces inspired by Marina Abramović, Robert Wilson, and Jonas Kaufmann. Repertoire programming engaged with festivals such as La Biennale di Venezia, Montreux Jazz Festival, and Aix-en-Provence Festival.

Company Structure and Dancers

The organizational structure paralleled companies like Paris Opera Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, and Nederlands Dans Theater, with ranks comparable to principal dancers of American Ballet Theatre and San Francisco Ballet. Dancers recruited included artists trained at Vaganova Academy, Bolshoi Academy, Royal Ballet School, and Julliard School, and have worked with instructors from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, School of American Ballet, and Martha Graham Dance Company. Notable guest artists shared stages with performers from NDT, Staatsballett Berlin, and Stuttgart Ballet. Administrative links involved unions and agencies such as International Federation of Actors, Association of British Orchestras, and Swiss Performers’ Guild.

Collaborations and Outreach

Collaborations extended to composers like Maurice Ravel, Arvo Pärt, and John Adams, and musicians from Kronos Quartet, Vienna Boys' Choir, and Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. The company engaged in outreach with conservatories such as Conservatoire de Paris, Hochschule für Musik, and Royal Conservatory of The Hague, and educational projects in partnership with schools affiliated to UNESCO, UNICEF, and European Commission cultural initiatives. Cross-disciplinary projects brought together filmmakers like Jean-Luc Godard, choreographers from Pina Bausch and Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, visual artists connected to Centre Pompidou and Tate Modern, and fashion houses including Chanel and Dior for costume collaborations. Residency programs connected to Fondation Beyeler, KKL Luzern, and Maison de la Culture facilitated community engagement and masterclasses alongside institutions like Teatro Real and Komische Oper Berlin.

Tours and International Recognition

Touring history involved engagements at venues such as Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, and Teatro Colón, and participation in festivals including Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and Warsaw Autumn. Reviews and press coverage appeared in publications like Le Monde, The New York Times, The Guardian, Die Zeit, and Corriere della Sera, while broadcasts were carried by Arte, BBC, NHK, and PBS. International cultural diplomacy linked performances to events organized by embassies of France, Switzerland, and Japan, and collaborations with state institutions like Ministry of Culture of France, Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, and European Commission cultural programs enhanced recognition.

Awards and Legacy

Awards and honors referenced include distinctions akin to Prix Benois de la Danse, Laurence Olivier Awards, and Japan Art Association prizes, as well as civic recognitions from City of Lausanne, Canton of Vaud, and Swiss cultural institutions. The company's legacy intersects with the histories of Maurice Béjart, Teatro alla Scala, and Sadler’s Wells, influencing subsequent generations associated with institutions like CNDC Grenoble, Centre National de la Danse, and the international contemporary dance network. Archives and collections connected to Bibliothèque nationale de France, Swiss Film Archive, and Musée de la Danse preserve documentation and recordings, reflecting an enduring impact on stages from Royal Albert Hall to Théâtre du Châtelet.

Category:Ballet companies