“Spectacle de Ballets” (chor. Maurice Béjart) June 13, 17, 19 at 7:30pm. At 76, the eternally youthful and ever prolific choreographic crusader Maurice Béjart, is once again featured at the Paris Opera with a four-ballet program spanning nearly 40 years of his career. Opéra National de Paris-Bastille, Paris Opera Ballet Company, pl de la Bastille, 12e, M° Bastille, tel: 08 92 89 90 90

“Buenos Aires Tango II” June 13-29 (times vary). Festively closing the season, the Théâtre National de Chaillot presents its second tango fest, which will feature the world’s most renowned dancers and musicians in that field via four exciting programs, over a two-week period. Théâtre National de Chaillot, 1 pl du Trocadéro, 16e, M° Trocadéro, tel: 01 53 65 30 00

“L’Histoire de Manon” (chor. Kenneth MacMillan) June 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 25 & 27 at 7:30pm, June 22 at 3pm. English choreographer Kenneth MacMillan’s now classic work, which premiered in 1974, based on the novel by the Abbé Prévost, tells the story of the Romantic heroine Manon Lescaut, whose seductive charms lead her from wealth and glory to a tragic end, in a libertine society dominated by money and greed. Opéra National de Paris-Palais Garnier, Paris Opera Ballet Company, pl de l'Opéra, 1er, M° Opéra, tel: 08 92 89 90 90

“Ni dieu ni maître” (chor. Marie-Claude Pietragalla) June 16-20 at 8:30pm. Former Paris Opera étoile, 39-year-old Marie-Claude Pietragalla has been choreographing brilliant new works for her youthful company non-stop, rather than reviving dusty Romantic ballets. This is a tribute to Léo Ferré, the legendary artist who died ten years ago. L’Olympia, 28 bd des Capucines, 9e, M° Madeleine, tel: 0 892 68 33 68

“Relation publique” (chor. Caterina Sagna) June 17-21 at 8:30pm. In recent years, Italian dancemaker Caterina Sagna has become a regular guest at the Théâtre de la Ville. Set apart from other performing artists, Sagna constantly questions the real essence of dance. In her new work for seven dancers, “Relation publique,” her anti-theatrical æsthetic is more prevalent than ever. Definitely for avant-garde fans only… Théâtre de la Ville/Les Abbesses, 31 rue des Abbesses, 18e, M° Les Abbesses, tel: 01 42 74 22 77

“Pour les enfants d’hier, d’aujourd’hui et de demain” (chor. Pina Bausch/Tanztheater Wuppertal) June 18-29 at 8:30pm. Bausch has almost become a household name and even those who rarely go to the theater, love her outrageous productions, which can be compared to a TV zapping session — skit after skit of “choreo-kitsch,” gags, gimmicks and frenetic solos. Théâtre de la Ville, 2 pl du Châtelet, 4e, M° Châtelet RER A-B Châtelet-Les Halles, tel: 01 42 74 22 77

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater June 24-27 at 8:30pm, June 28 at 3pm & 8:30pm, June 29 at 3pm. After a long absence, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is back in Paris for a series of performances at the Palais des Sports. Under the artistic direction of Judith Jamison, who took over the company after Ailey’s untimely death, this troupe of brilliant and highly versatile Afro-American dancers will perform old and new works, including the legendary piece “Revelations,” itself a tribute to Afro-American history, set to traditional spirituals. Palais des Sports de Paris, Porte de Versailles, 15e, M° Porte de Versailles, tel: 0 825 038 039

“Roméo et Juliette” (chor. Angelin Preljocaj) June 25-28 at 8pm. Angelin Preljocaj’s production, set to Serge Prokofiev’s terrific score, is reminiscent of a certain Broadway hit with its rival gangs and two lovers caught in the middle of never-ending fighting and revenge. Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, 15 av Montaigne, 8e, M° Alma-Marceau, tel: 01 49 52 50 50

“Giselle” (chor. Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot) July 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 &15 at 7:30pm, July 14 at 3pm. The Paris Opera season inevitably closes each year with a free Bastille Day matinee performance of a 19th century box-office hit; this year’s choice is “Giselle,” the Romantic ballet par excellence, blending realism and the fantastic. Opéra National de Paris-Palais Garnier, Paris Opera Ballet Company, pl de l'Opéra, 1er, M° Opéra, tel: 08 92 89 90 90


compiled by Carol Pratl