The emblematic Palais Garnier - Opéra de Paris, was transformed into an open-air stage this Sunday, November 12, 2023. The new façade, imagined by street artist JR, hosted a spectacular dance performance entitled"Chiroptera". This modern ballet took place in the Place de l'Opéra, transformed into a pedestrian zone for the occasion.
Whencontemporary art meets classical ballet in a captivating event in the heart of Paris, the result is an incredible marriage. Renowned street artist JR, in collaboration with choreographer Damien Jalet and musician Thomas Bangalter, former member of Daft Punk, transformed the façade of theOpéra Garnier into a grandiose stage for "Chiroptera", a free dance performance.
The breathtaking work began with a solo by prima ballerina Amandine Albisson, dressed all in black. Her shadow was projected onto JR's immense fresco, a symbolic cavern masking the work in progress at the Opéra. Then, a curtain rose to reveal 153 dancers, dressed in white, creating the illusion of being imprisoned in a giant grid on the building's façade.
Parisians and tourists, braving rain and cold, witnessed the perfect synchronization of the dancers, spelling out the phrase "Darkness holds the grace of the light". JR shared his intention to"bring back the light" in a period marked by the darkness of recent news.
"Return to the Cave", as the show was named, was an exploration of the depths of an Opera House under renovation. The performance, though disquieting, was illuminated by Bangalter's unique music, mixing electronic and acoustic elements, creating an atmosphere both eerie and hypnotic.
The 153 dancers, each with their own unique choreography, formed vivid images on the scaffolding, like pixels on a giant screen. Their precise movements and Bangalter's music created a singular atmosphere, a blend of the human and the mechanical.
In fine, the twenty-minute performance ended with a standing ovation for the artists, who unveiled powerful, organic choreography under dazzling lighting. This ephemeral show, performed just twice, will leave a lasting imprint on our memories, before the "cave door" closes on the Opéra Garnier and its works.
This unique show showed how art can transform an urban space into a magical stage, skilfully blending street art, classical dance and contemporary music to offer an unforgettable experience.
Photos: © Raphael Métivet
Location
Opéra de Paris - Palais Garnier
8 Rue Scribe
75009 Paris 9
Access
Metro: Opéra station (lines 3, 7 or 8) Auber (RER A)
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
