The Opéra national du Rhin Ballet

A CCN at the opera
The OnR Ballet was recognized as a Centre chorégraphique national (CCN) in 1985 and remains an exception as the only one attached to an opera house. Its unique identity has shaped this center of excellence, which has a mission not just to revisit classical pieces but also to actively produce new works under both seasoned choreographers and emerging talents. The Ballet's repertoire is one of the most diverse in France, ranging from baroque through to reinterpreted classics and contemporary pieces. With a program specifically designed to be boundary-pushing yet accessible to all, the Ballet helps promote dance culture among its ever-growing audiences, complemented by school matinées and educational sessions.

Local cultural outreach
Under the artistic direction of Bruno Bouché, the CCN is expanding its remit. The Accueil Studio initiative set up by Pasquale Nocera enables us to coopt Grand Est institutions to support independent dance companies via joint residencies. Inviting the Compagnie Retouramont, a pioneer of vertical dance, as an "Artiste Associé" (Associate Artist) continues to explore the place of a Ballet in the city and develops its presence in the public space, as close as possible to the people.

A European ballet for the 21st century
The OnR Ballet has also broadened its range. Located at the crossroads of Europe, the company delights in exploring fresh works and subjects that resonate with today's audiences. The program of new forms and pieces devised by young dancers-choreographers continues to push the boundaries of dance to foster connections between performers and choreographers, artists and spectators. It strikes a balance between honoring tradition and taking risks, revisiting classics and championing modern creativity.

Bruno Bouché has been director of the Ballet de l'Opéra national du Rhin since 2017. He joined the Corps de Ballet de l'Opéra national de Paris in 1996, where he was appointed Sujet in 2002. He danced under the direction of Brigitte Lefèvre until 2014. In 1999 he became artistic director of Incidence Chorégraphique, which produces choreographic creations for the dancers of the Ballet of the Opéra de Paris, then took over the artistic direction of the Festival Les Synodales in Sens, and for the dance season at the municipal theatre and the contemporary choreographic competition for young dance companies in 2013. He has signed his own choreographies since 2003, which he has presented regularly on the stage of the Palais Garnier, and throughout the world. He created, for the Opéra national du Rhin: Fireflies (2018), 40D (2019), Wings of Desire (2021), They Shoot Horses Don't They? (2023) with Clément Hervieu-Léger and Daniel San Pedro and Pour le reste (2024). Renewed for a second term, Bruno Bouché is developing several approaches to encourage and promote the emergence of a European Ballet in the 21st century.

The French Ministry of Culture awards the title of Centre chorégraphique national (CCN) to institutions directed by choreographic artists of particular merit, whose spirit and originality represent the creative diversity on the contemporary French stage. The 19 CCN focus mostly on choreographic work, but also on building repertoire, spreading productions, sharing resources, and choreographic training and development. They are funded by the central and regional governments to promote regional development and dance. Artists receive structural support and a dedicated workplace. The Ballet of the Opéra national du Rhin became a CCN in 1985 and remains an exception, as it's the only CCN that is also part of an opera. The official policy is to promote both grand repertoire and neo-classical ballet, while hosting contemporary companies to foster professional exchange. Each CCN follows a policy of creation and promotion, both in its own region and abroad, maintenance of a particular repertoire, and development of innovative dance projects.

Since 1998, the Department of Music and Dance of the Ministry of Culture, has given the CCNs the task of assisting independent companies through a programme called Accueil Studio. The aim is to provide the companies selected with the means afforded professional productions through material and/or financial support (studios, backing through co-production etc.), foster contacts and exchanges and guide the emergence of innovative artistic projects. In this respect, the CCNs act as resource centres for choreography in France. A financial envelope is allocated to each CCN to help bring the projects of the selected companies and choreographers to fruition. The Ballet of the Opéra national du Rhin has been committed to this policy since 2002. It has supported the work of choreographers from Alsace, and indeed the whole of France. The aim is, above all, to give projects substance, foster encounters, forge partnerships and enable dance to flourish throughout France.

In 2023-24, the CCN•Ballet of the OnR is supporting:

• Cie Zimarèl by Léo Lérus
• Cie La Parenthèse by Christian Garçia
• Cie La Poétique des signés by Raphaël Cottin
• Cie Callicarpa by Aurélie Gandit
• Cie KiloHertz by Vidal Bini
• Cie Pièce Détachées by Caroline Grosjean
• Cie Eukaryota by Elodie Sicard
• Cie Louis Barreau

Founded around a simple idea, the Grand Luxe network found its name and its project through discussions between structures sharing the same missions. It’s a way of supporting choreographic creation in ways other than through dissemination and production, and of pooling ideas, advice, space and resources to support developing projects. This is how our nine establishments are opening up to requests from artists to define a research pathway, movement between countries and venues and meetings between project leaders. Meetings, training courses, a professional platform, seminars and residencies are all part of the process for each participant.

Here are the supported artists in 2024-25:

• Sylvain Lepoivr supported by POLE-SUD CDCN
• Florencia Demestri supported by Grand Studio
• Samuel Lefeuvre supported by Grand Studio
• Chara Kotsali supported by Onassis Stegi
• Saeed Hani supported by TROIS C-L | Maison pour la danse
• Vidal Bini supported by the CCN•Ballet de l’Opéra national du Rhin
• Emma Saba supported by L’Abri
• Smadar Goshen supported by the Theater Freiburg
• Catarina Miranda supported by the Teatro Municipal do Porto

Auditions

Applications should be sent by e-mail to ballet@onr.fr.
Please send us:

• CV

• 3 or 4 photos

• a contemporary video

• a classic video on pointe

Auditions are closed for the '24'25 season. We will only consider future applications from January 2025 for the '25'26 season.

Regular dance training

The company's dance class is every Monday. Please apply in advance. Admission requirements:

• At least 18 years old

• Proof of professional experience

• Please attach your CV and photos to your application.

The artistic director may choose not readmit new candidates after the first period.

Only by e-mail: Pasquale Nocera • pnocera@onr.fr