Dancers from Opéra national de Paris take to the stage this weekend, as the prestigious French company makes its UAE debut with a show in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (January 5) at Emirates Palace.
The programme, which will also be shown in Dubai on Friday and Saturday at Madinat Theatre, marks the latest career high for rising star Germain Louvet. The 23-year-old was awarded the company's highest rank, Danseur Étoile, after a Swan Lake performance on December 28, in which he played Prince Siegfred, at the Opera Bastille in his native France.
He and the company will perform a varied programme of classic works, including selections from Romeo and Juliet and La Sylphide, in addition to modern creations including pieces from The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude by New York choreographer William Forsythe.
Louvet talks to us about his latest achievement and being part of one of the most respected ballet companies in the world.
Are there any special methods ballet dancers use to maintain fitness despite all the travelling?
I don’t think there is a really special way to prepare the body for travelling. It all depends on how close the show is. Most of the times, though, it doesn’t affect me because I try to come one or two days before, to rest and practice. For Abu Dhabi it’s never really a problem because the time difference from Paris [3 hours at this time of year] is not too much.
You have performed in the UAE twice before, in 2014 and last year. How do you find the audience here?
It is very interesting because it is so diverse. I see a lot Europeans who work in the UAE but, at the same time, there are a lot of Emiratis in the audience. It is a normal audience and people know what to look for in the performance.
You were recently announced as Danseur Étoile of the Opéra national de Paris. How huge an achievement is that for you?
It hit me like a huge wave of emotion. It wasn’t really planned and I didn’t know about it. This is the way it is normally [in the ballet world], where the dancers are not told they are nominated for the award. So obviously it was a shock and I was so happy that my family were in the audience. It was moving, to me, to think about how many years they have been supporting me. The whole experience was a gift for both of us.
Has the elevated profile, and responsibility, changed the way you perform?
You do become more conscientious about what you do. I feel that now, I am at a stage of my career where I really can’t do a bad performance. In a certain way, everything has to be as perfect as I can make it. It is a responsibility now, because I am representing the Opera de Paris.
Tell us about the UAE performances.
The programme, I feel, is very expressive and full of wonderful moments that we dancers will enjoy. One of the pieces I am looking forward to doing is La Sylphide (choreographed by Danish ballet master August Bournonville). It is very technical and challenging but there is pleasure in that. It is also a showcase of the Danish style of ballet.
If you were not a ballet dancer, what other career might you have pursued?
That is a hard question because I have been dancing since the age of four. That is really all I ever known. But at the same time I try not to make it my life. I don’t look at it like a religion or anything. I make sure to do things outside of the ballet, like hanging out with my friends and going to the cinema. But to answer your question, I always loved writing and reading. So if I was not a dancer I would be involved in that field. Who knows, maybe I would have been a journalist.
• Opéra national de Paris perform at Emirates Palace Auditorium, Abu Dhabi, tonight at 8pm, from Dh300; Madinat Theatre, Dubai, on Friday at 2pm and 8pm, Saturday at 6pm, from Dh280. Tickets for all shows from www.tickets.virginmegastore.me, and the Dubai events at www.madinatjumeirah.etixdubai.com
sasaeed@thenational.ae