New Forsythe work for the Paris Opéra Ballet

Posted on September 5, 2014

William Forsythe is to create a new work for the Paris Opéra Ballet, Stéphane Lissner has told Le Monde. The world premiere will be created for the 2015-2016 season, Benjamin Millepied’s first as director of dance at the Paris Opéra.

Lissner, who has been appointed director of the Opéra, spoke as the Paris Opéra Ballet prepares a revival of two Forsythe works, Pas./parts and Woundwork 1, opening on September 20. The choreographer is also celebrated in this year’s Festival d’Automne in the French capital. Lissner praised Forsythe as the embodiment of modernity, and remembered the growing success of his regular seasons at the Théâtre du Châtelet. “At the start, the theatre was half empty, and you would hear, ‘Forsythe, go home!’ And now I will give you a scoop: Forsythe will return to the Paris Opéra with a world premiere during the first season of the director of dance, Benjamin Millepied”.

Forsythe has created several works for the Paris Opéra Ballet, including In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, the 1987 ballet that made him an international choreographic star. Earlier this year, Forsythe announced that he would be stepping down as director of his own company. 

Picture: dances of the Paris Opéra Ballet in Pas./Parts. Photograph: Anne Deniau/Opéra national de Paris

Zoe Anderson

Zoë was born in Edinburgh, and saw her first dance performances at the Festival there. She is the dance critic of The Independent, and has also written for The Independent on Sunday, The Scotsman and Dancing Times. In 2002, she received her doctorate from the University of York for a thesis on “Nationhood and epic romance: Ariosto, Sidney, Spenser”. She is the author of The Royal Ballet: 75 Years and The Ballet Lover’s Companion.