World premiere: Junior Ballet of the Paris Opera dances in Neunkirchen!

World premiere: Junior Ballet of the Paris Opera dances in Neunkirchen!

On June 6, 2025, the Junior Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris will experience its Western European premiere in the Gebläsehalle in Neunkirchen. This performance marks a significant step for Junior Ballet, founded in 2024, and represents a milestone in the Paris Opera's ballet tradition, which dates back to the Académie Royale de Danse, founded by Louis XIV in 1661. The Junior Ballet is dedicated to promoting young talent from all over the world and provides a platform to bring new perspectives to the art of classical ballet.

After a preview in Athens, 18 selected young dancers have the opportunity to show their skills at the highest level. This group formation is the result of several hundred applications and offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate one's own talent internationally. José Martinez, who directs the Junior Ballet and is a former “Danseur Étoile” of the Paris Opera, has made it his mission to provide the dancers with excellent training and a diverse repertoire.

Diverse repertoire

The premiere program includes three works: “Allegro Brillante” by George Balanchine, danced to the music of Peter Tchaikovsky, “Cantate 51” by Maurice Béjart, which the dancers perform to a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach, and “Mi Favorita”, a creation by José Martinez. These pieces serve not only for entertainment, but also for artistic exploration and expansion of the dancers' knowledge of various choreographic styles.

Additionally, Junior Ballet's programming provides progressive training that refines over the first few months of each season. The dancers learn numerous classical and contemporary works, including “Le Grand Pas Classique” by Raymonda and works by renowned choreographers such as William Forsythe and Uwe Scholz. In the second season, the repertoire will be expanded to include works by young choreographers created specifically for the Junior Ballet, offering additional opportunities for those involved.

Performance opportunities and specialist training

A central aspect of the training is the practical experience that the dancers can gain during their engagements in productions and tours starting in the second half of the season. As early as January 2025, the young dancers will appear in the performance of “La Belle au bois dormant” (choreographed by Rudolf Noureev) and will thereby benefit from the real conditions and the exchange with experienced colleagues.

The premiere in Neunkirchen is not only an opening for the stage, but also a sign of the great interest from cultural institutions in welcoming the Junior Ballet. The performances become a unifying element that combines classical ballet art with an industrial atmosphere. Tickets for the event are available at prices between 20 and 50 euros.

For more information about the performances and to book tickets, visit the Saar Music Festival 2025 event page.