From Béjart to Béjart | DANCE

Description

An orchestral piece without music. That is how Maurice Ravel described his *Boléro*, a visionary composition conceived for dance before finding its way to the concert hall. In 1961, Maurice Béjart took on the challenge of transforming it into movement, pitting melody (the soloist) against rhythm (the group)—a mathematical arrangement of bodies immersed in a relentless, liberating crescendo. Under the direction of Julien Favreau, the legendary company founded by the French choreographer—who passed away twenty years ago—revives this contemporary classic (performing it for the first time on the stage of the Teatro de la Maestranza) as part of a show that honors his immense artistic legacy.

The repertoire includes *Béjart et nous*, a joyful and passionate retrospective in which Favreau brings together some of the most memorable moments from productions created by the company’s founder; the company is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its establishment in Lausanne this year. The program is rounded out by *Real Love* by Andonis Foniadakis. A former dancer with Béjart in the 1990s, Foniadakis recreates his years of apprenticeship alongside the master, blending euphoria with nostalgia. It is a portrait of experiences lived and art created—a fitting tribute to one of the transformative spirits of 20th-century dance. Béjart et nous
Premiere on March 11, 2026 at the Théâtre la Seine Musicale in Paris
Choreography: Maurice Béjart

Real Love
Premiere on December 16, 2025 at the Théâtre de Beaulieu in Lausanne
Choreography: Andonis Foniadakis
Music: Depeche Mode
Costume design: Anastasios Sofroniou
Bolero
Premiered on January 10, 1961 at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels
Choreography: Maurice Béjart
Music: Maurice Ravel
Set and costume design: Maurice Béjart