Finally the coronation. Francois Alu was appointed, at age 28, Star Dancer du Ballet de the Paris Opera on Saturday April 23, following the performance of La Bayadère by Rudolf Nureyev, twelve years after he joined the institution.
His appointment was expected. Many regulars had gone to the Opéra Bastille on Wednesday April 20, hoping to attend the coronation of the dancer. Despite the presence of the entire management, the announcement does not come, and the public leaves empty-handed.
But this Saturday, the director of the Paris Opera Alexander Neef and the Director of Dance Aurélie Dupont go on stage after the performance, to consecrate François Alu to the rank of ” stars “ of the Paris Opera, the ultimate rank. A promotion that took place in front of a special audience: the evening was indeed reserved for families who had never been to the Paris Opera before.
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#Nomination #Star
On the proposal of Aurélie Dupont, Dance Director, Alexander Neef (aneef_opera) just named @FrancoisAlu Étoile dancer after the ballet performance #LaBayadère of Nureyev in which he interpreted the role of Solor. Cheer. ???? pic.twitter.com/AfMeyrGTlp— Paris Opera Ballet (@BalletOParis) April 23, 2022
Nicknamed « la rock star » of the Paris Opera Ballet, the new star dancer “did not have a straight course”écrit progress. However, he has always been a model student, who has always finished first in his division, at each exam.
“Transgressive” artist
He joined the corps de ballet at 16. Talented, he quickly climbed the ladder and became first dancer at 19, a rank that precedes the star. He then embodies many roles, but the ultimate consecration does not come.
Et “the arrival of Aurélie Dupont at the Direction de la Danse in February 2016 marks a violent shelving for the dancer: few casts, no major roles, even those he has already danced”describes the magazine Dance with the featherspecialized in the discipline.
He left the Paris Opera for six months. In particular, he puts on a show alone-on-stage, “Completely Thrown!” », which fills the halls. In 2021, it becomes sworn in ” Dance with the stars “TF1’s cult show.
The artist, transgressive, freed himself from certain codes, which probably slowed down his rise, writes progress. “When people say I’m not a good little soldier, that I’m transgressive, that I have character, yes, it’s true. But I will never change who I am”he explained to our colleagues.
On Wednesday, he made his big comeback on the stage of the Opera, after several months of absence in great classical roles. A successful comeback.