Page 342 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

340  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Dance

When it comes to dance, Paris is more a cultural crossroads innovative theatre is also
than a cultural centre. Due to a deliberate government policy staged. Many directors and
of decentralization, many of the top French dance companies companies start here, then
are based in the provinces, although they frequently visit the go on to international fame.
capital. In addition, the greatest dance companies from all The Centre National de la
Danse in Pantin, a north eastern
over the world perform here. Paris has a well-deserved suburb of Paris, is France’s
reputation as a centre of excellence for modern and national conservatoire. It hosts
experimental dance, and has numerous workshops and workshops, talks and
places in which to learn its many forms. performances, from classical
ballet to experimental dance.
Classical Ballet which has remained open
The opulent Opéra National de during the main house’s closure. Events Listings
Paris Garnier (see p219) is the The Maison des Arts et de la To find out what’s on, read the
home of the Ballet de l’Opéra de Culture de Créteil presents inexpensive weekly entertain-
Paris which enjoys a reputation some of the most interesting ment guides Pariscope and
as one of the world’s best dance works in Paris. It is L’Officiel des Spectacles. Posters
classical dance companies. located in the modern, advertising dance performances
Since the Opéra National de concrete, mid-20th-century are widely displayed in the
Paris Bastille opened in 1989, Paris suburb of Créteil, southeast Metro and on the streets,
the Opéra National de Paris of the city. Under artistic director especially on the green
Garnier has been used for dance Didier Fusillier, dance at MAC advertisement columns,
as well as for opera. Extensively is part of an ambitious the colonnes Morris.
restored both inside and out, it programme of avant-garde
is one of the largest theatres in theatre, installations and Ticket Prices
Europe, with performance performance as showcased at
space for 450 artists and a its annual festival EXIT, which Expect to pay €10–€195 for
seating capacity of 2,200. is held in March. Acclaimed tickets to the ballet or opera at
Modern dance companies French choreographer Maguy Opéra National de Paris Garnier,
such as the Martha Graham Marin was MAC’s resident €6–€75 for the Théâtre des
Company, Paul Taylor, Merce dance guru for some years. Champs-Élysées, and anything
Cunningham, Alvin Ailey, Jerome Set amid the opulent couture from €9 to €30 for other venues.
Robbins and Roland Petit’s Ballet shops and embassies, the
de Marseille also regularly elegant Art Deco Théâtre des Dance Venues
perform here. The Opéra National Champs-Élysées has 1,900 seats.
de Paris Garnier also shares It is frequented by an upmarket Centre National de la Danse
operatic productions with the audience who watch major 1 Rue Victor Hugo 93507 Pantin.
Tel 01 41 83 98 98. ∑ cnd.fr
Opéra National de Paris Bastille. international companies perform
here. It was here that Nijinsky first Maison des Arts et
danced Stravinsky’s icono clastic de la Culture de Créteil
Modern Dance 1 Pl Salvador Allende 94000
The Rite of Spring, which led to
Paris’s Théâtre de la Ville is rioting among the audience. Créteil. Tel 01 45 13 19 19.
scheduled to reopen in 2018 The theatre is more famous ∑ maccreteil.com
following extensive renovations. as a classical music venue, but Opéra National de
Once run by Sarah Bernhardt, it visitors have included the Paris Bastille
is one of Paris’s most important Dance Theatre of Harlem and See p339.
venues for modern dance. London’s Royal Ballet, plus a Opéra National de
Through performances at the strong Russian presence, notably Paris Garnier
Théâtre de la Ville, modern the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre. See p339.
choreographers such as Jean- The lovely old Théâtre du
Claude Gallotta, Regine Chopinot, Châtelet is a renowned opera Théâtre de la Bastille
76 Rue de la Roquette 75011.
Maguy Marin and Anne Teresa and classical music venue, but Map 14 F3. Tel 01 43 57 42 14.
de Keersmaeker have gained it is also host to interna tional ∑ theatre-bastille.com
international recognition. contemporary dance companies
Music performances also run such as the Tokyo Ballet and the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées
throughout the season and Birmingham Royal Ballet. It is See p339.
include chamber music, world due to reopen following Théâtre du Châtelet
music and jazz. Some events renovation work in 2019. See p339.
take place at the theatre’s second, Experimental dance Théâtre de la Ville
smaller venue in Montmartre, companies perform in the See p339.
the Théâtre des Abbesses, Théâtre de la Bastille, where

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.3)
Date 17th October 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm