Marion Barbeau enters the famous Paris Opera Ballet School in 2002 to launch an exciting career in the ballet world. The struggles and selection process to get into this prestigious school have been scrutinized several times but persistence and perseverance took Marion Barbeau into the main stage to dance classical and contemporary dance works. She joined the Corps de Ballet with Paris Opera Ballet in 2008 and was promoted in 2012 to Coryphée. In 2018, she was again promoted, this time to first dancer. We have a rare chance to see her dancing this weekend at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
I would like to understand what it was like to learn and dance The Seasons’ Canon from Crystal Pite?
The Season’s Canon is a new creation. However, Crystal Pite had already imagined it all before reaching us at Paris Opera Ballet, since we had a very short time to work together. She wished us to be at ease with her style, at the same time in harmony with all dancers as well as with the music. Her style is very much « on the floor », with lots of pliés and powerful gestures. Much importance is given to the handwork (both fingers and palms) too, as well as to the precision of canon work. Lastly, there is much attention paid to the way dancers travel across space and run.
Can you please give us an idea of what we will be seeing on stage? Particularly how Pite tackles the music for this piece?
Max Richter’s music adds power and strength in a composition by four different themes which are cleverly bond together. Crystal Pite has suggested the image of particles under the microscope and which move frantically together.
We are curious to understand what your ‘typical’ day on tour looks like?
At Paris Opera Ballet we have class at 11 am, followed by rehearsal in the afternoon. 2 hours before show time there is a meal and some rest time, followed by a warm-up before going on stage.
What can we expect from this triple bill?
This programme spans through intimate classical with In The Night, by Jerome Robbins, to neo-classical with Blake Works I up to contemporary with the Season’s Canon by Crystal Pite. From duet to solo and ensemble work. From pointes up to the most contemporary work. This perfectly mirrors the versatility of Paris Opera Ballet dancers, accompanied by a rich and varied musical program moving from Chopin to James Blake and Max Richter.