“I had never seen dance before. I had never seen men and women work every day to make dance a life, or their life a dance. Jean-Christophe Maillot and Les Ballets de Monte Carlo offered me this chance: To follow the company in the meticulous execution of a work larger than the sum of its parts. To join in a movement capable of making us feel a little more alive, a little more sensitive, a little beyond what we think we see or believe.” – Marika Mathieu
An Original Documentary Series of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
SEASON 3
Episode 1 : L’ATELIER
Spring 2017, at the Atelier des Ballets in Monte-Carlo. As every morning, the dancers gather for the class given each week by a new teacher. They perfect the technique necessary to the multiple facets of their work as an artist. Under the watchful eyes of Jean-Christophe Maillot and Bernice Coppieters, the company reveals a daily made of demands and eternal recommences.
Avec Bernice Coppieters, Maître de Ballet Principal, Natalia Horecna, Chorégraphe invitée des Ballets de Monte-Carlo, Jean-Christophe Maillot, Chorégraphe-Directeur des Ballets de Monte- Carlo
Et les danseurs: Anissa Bruley, Asier Edeso, Mimoza Koike, Francesco Mariottini, Elena Marzano, Alvaro Prieto et Alessandra Tognoloni.
NEVER SCENE, une série documentaire écrite et réalisée par Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo 2017
Episode 2 : PREMIERS
The dancers Alessandra Tognoloni and Francesco Mariottini are barely 30 years old, already a few lives behind them, and have not finished growing. By discovering the roles of Cinderella and the Prince in the iconic ballet of Jean-Christophe Maillot, they seize their chance to shine in the foreground of a great love story.
Avec Bernice Coppieters: Maître de Ballet Principal, Jean-Christophe Maillot : Chorégraphe-Directeur des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Alessandra Tognoloni et Francesco Mariottini: Danseurs des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
NEVER SCENE, une série documentaire écrite et réalisée par Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo 2017
Episode 3 : CORPS DE BALLET
This is the first year of Anissa Bruley, 29, in the Ballets de Monte Carlo. She is a member of the ballet corps, as is Elena Marzano, who shares her longer experience in the company. Both of them perform the rehearsals of Cinderella and work their chance to win a role among the soloists.
Avec Bernice Coppieters: Maître de Ballet Principal, Giovanna Lorenzoni: Maître de Ballet
Et Anissa Bruley et Elena Marzano: Danseuses des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: Cendrillon de Jean-Christophe Maillot
Musique: Serge Prokofiev
NEVER SCENE, une série documentaire écrite et réalisée par Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo 2017
Épisode 4 : NATALIA
Slovak choreographer Natalia Horecna is invited by the Ballets de Monte-Carlo to create an original work. In just a few days, she draws for the dancers the contours of a striking work, at the heart of the news, guided by an endless love of humanity and its tears.
Avec Natalia Horecna, Chorégraphe invitée des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Et La Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: “But Behind the Bridge” de Natalia Horecna (Première le 27 avril 2017, Grimaldi Forum Monaco – Création pour Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo)
NEVER SCENE, une série documentaire écrite et réalisée par Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo 2017
Épisode 5 : IMPRO
For years, the dancers Mimoza Koike and Asier Edeso improvised together choreographic tests, without definite goal. This week, the schedule is less busy than usual. They take advantage of this to explore new avenues.
Avec Mimoza Koike et Asier Edeso: Danseurs des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
NEVER SCENE, une série documentaire écrite et réalisée par Marika Mathieu
©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo 2017
Épisode 6 : AU PAS DU PRINCE
The dancer Francesco Mariottini has the opportunity to become in turn and for the first time the Prince of Cinderella. In the magical universe of Jean-Christophe Maillot, it is the opportunity to give its capacities of interpretation a new dimension, but also to endure a reinforced pressure.
Avec Jean-Christophe Maillot: Chorégraphe-Directeur des Ballets de Monte-Carlo, Jean-Michel Lainé: Chef costumier
Francesco Mariottini: Danseur des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Et La Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: Cendrillon de Jean-Christophe Maillot
Musique: Serge Prokofiev
NEVER SCENE, une série documentaire écrite et réalisée par Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo 2017
Episode 7: Épisode 7 : DES HOMMES EN POINTES
The choreographer Marie Chouinard, invited by the Ballets de Monte-Carlo for the creation of an original work, asks all of her dancers, men and women, to wear points in the first part of her play. A requirement that does not go without pain for the male feet, especially those of the Spanish dancer Alvaro Prieto ...
Avec Giovanna Lorenzoni : Maître de Ballet, Kathy Plaistowe : Responsable des auditions (et des chaussons), Alvaro Prieto: Danseur Et La Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: “Cy Twomby Somehow” de Marie Chouinard (Première le 27 avril 2017, Grimaldi Forum Monaco – Création pour Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo)
NEVER SCENE, une série documentaire écrite et réalisée par Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo 2017
Épisode 8 : L’APPRENTIE
Anissa Bruley, ballet dancer, continues to learn the role of the Sisters of Cinderella, hoping to be chosen in a new cast.
Avec Bernice Coppieters : Maître de Ballet Principal, Anissa Bruley et Elena Marzano : Danseuses des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Et La Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: Cendrillon de Jean-Christophe Maillot
Musique : Serge Prokofiev
NEVER SCENE, une série documentaire écrite et réalisée par Marika Mathieu, ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo 2017
Épisode 9 : BUT BEHIND THE BRIDGE
During its "Imprévus", the Atelier des Ballets in Monte-Carlo opens its doors and allows the public to discover the shows in course of rehearsal. This time, Jean-Christophe Maillot gives Slovak choreographer Natalia Horecna an invitation to create a work full of emotion and hope: But Behind The Bridge.
Avec Natalia Horecna: Chorégraphe invitée des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Et La Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: “But Behind the Bridge” de Natalia Horecna (Première le 27 avril 2017, Grimaldi Forum Monaco – Création pour Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo)
NEVER SCENE, une série documentaire écrite et réalisée par Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo 2017
Épisode 10 : EN SCÈNE !
The Monte-Carlo Ballets are on tour at the Royal Opera of the Palace of Versailles. After weeks of intense preparation for the Atelier, Alessandra Tognoloni and Francesco Mariottini dance for the first time on stage the main roles of Cinderella and the Prince. A unique moment in their careers.
Avec Bernice Coppieters : Maître de Ballet Principal, Jean-Christophe Maillot : Chorégraphe-Directeur des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Et Alessandra Tognoloni et Francesco Mariottini: Danseurs des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: Cendrillon de Jean-Christophe Maillot
Musique: Serge Prokofiev
NEVER SCENE, une série documentaire écrite et réalisée par Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo 2017
ARCHIVE
SEASON 1
Episode 1: TIGHT
Nothing more precise than the random: Set on the stage of the Opera of Monte-Carlo, Jean-Christophe Maillot gives the final corrections for his new creation “Aleatorio” in preparation for tomorrow’s opening...
NEVER SCENE, a documentary series of Les Ballets de Monte Carlo
With Jean-Christophe Maillot: Artistic Director & Choreographer
And the dancers of Les Ballets de Monte Carlo
Ballet: Aleatorio by Jean-Christophe Maillot
Music: J. S. Bach CONCERTOS ITALIENS Alexandre Tharaud (Harmonia Mundi 2007)
NEVER SCENE, a series by Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Episode 2: Before the Show
Countdown until the curtain rises: The audience gathers in the Salle Garnier of the Monte-Carlo Opera for the performance of Aleatorio, an original creation by Jean-Christophe Maillot. Behind the curtain, company stage director Annabelle Salmon, organizes the final preparations before the show begins.
With Annabelle Salmon: Stage Director
And the dancers of Les Ballets de Monte Carlo
Ballet: Aleatorio by Jean-Christophe Maillot
Musique: Bertrand Maillot
NEVER SCENE, a series by Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Episode 3: Dance Me
A pas de deux to tell each other everything. Or tell nothing at all. Dancers Maude Sabourin and Christian Tworzyanski perform “Aleatorio” by Jean-Christophe Maillot.
With Jean-Christophe Maillot: Choreographer-Director
Maude Sabourin et Christian Tworzyanski: Dancers of the Company
Ballet: Aleatorio by Jean-Christophe Maillot
Music: Bertrand Maillot
NEVER SCENE, a documentary series by Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Episode 4: Bubble Dream
At first there was a bubble. Then, a woman emerges from it, taking her first breath into life. Jean-Christophe Maillot rediscovers "La Belle” with Bolshoi Ballet star Olga Smirnova in the studio of the Ballets Monte Carlo Atelier.
With Semyon Chudin: Star of the Bolshoi Ballet, Bernice Coppieters: Principle Ballet Master, Jean-Christophe Maillot: Choreographer-Director, Chris Roelandt: Former Principle dancer, and Olga Smirnova: Star of the Bolshoi Ballet, invited to dance the role of “La Belle”
Ballet: La Belle by Jean Christophe Maillot
Music: Tchaïkovsky THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Kirov Orchestra, St Petersburg (Philips Classics Productions 1993)
NEVER SCENE, a documentary series by Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Episode 5: Be Free, Be Maillot
“La Belle”, or the act of loving oneself despite one’s wounds. Bolshoi Stars Olga Smirnova and Semyon Chudin discover a lesson in the art of love guided by Bernice Coppieters and Jean-Christophe Maillot.
With Jean-Christophe Maillot: Choreographer-Director, Olga Smirnova: Star of the Bolshoi Ballet, invited to dance the title role of “La Belle” and the dancers of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: La Belle de Jean Christophe Maillot
Music: Tchaïkovsky THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Kirov Orchestra, St Petersburg (Philips Classics Productions 1993)
NEVER SCENE, a documentary series by Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Episode 6: Becoming Another Beauty
Jean-Christophe Maillot’s "La Belle", created for Étoile Bernice Coppieters in 2001, returns to the Monaco stage with Bolshoi Star Olga Smirnova, Bolshoi Star in the title role. However, for every role there are multiple interpretations. Victoria Ananyan, dancer of the Les Ballets de Monte Carlo will dance this role in another cast, and to become “Belle”, she must physically and emotionally discover the ballet in her own way.
With Victoria Ananyan: Dancer of the Company and Bernice Coppieters: Principle Ballet Master
Ballet: La Belle de Jean Christophe Maillot
Music: Tchaïkovsky THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Kirov Orchestra, St Petersburg (Philips Classics Productions 1993)
NEVER SCENE, a documentary series by Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Episode 7: Act III
Seen from the wings: A behind-the-scenes perspective from the stage rehearsals of “La Belle” at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
With The Company of Les Ballets de Monte Carlo
Choreography: Jean-Christophe Maillot
Music: Piotr Ilitch Tchaïkovski
Scenography: Ernest Pignon-Ernest
Costumes: Jérôme Kaplan
Lighting: Dominique Drillot
NEVER SCENE, a documentary series by Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
SEASON 2
Episode 1: LAC
The Monte-Carlo Ballets are preparing a tour of Genoa, Italy, for five performances by Jean-Christophe Maillot.
Avec Jean-Christophe Maillot, Chorégraphe-Directeur des Ballets de Monte-Carlo, Bernice Coppieters, Maitre de Ballet Principal et les danseurs de la Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: LAC de Jean-Christophe Maillot
Musique: Piotr Tchaïkovski
NEVER SCENE, une série de Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Episode 2: TO GENOVA
The Monte-Carlo Ballet Company leaves its Rehearsal Workshop to join the Carlo Felice Theater in Genoa, Italy, for five performances of Lake.
Avec La Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: LAC de Jean-Christophe Maillot
Musique: Piotr Tchaïkovski
Pianiste: Patricia Krawczynska
NEVER SCENE, une série de Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Episode 3: THE THEATER
With the invaluable help of Patrick Vereecken, dancer's manager who works behind the scenes for the tour, discovery of the Carlo Felice theater in Genoa.
Avec Patrick Vereecken, Régisseur des Artistes Chorégraphiques et La Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: Lac de Jean-Christophe Maillot
Musique: Piotr Tchaïkovski, Orchestra del Teatro Carlo Felice Teatro Carlo Felice Gênes, Italie
NEVER SCENE, une série de Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Episode 4: DRESS REHEARSAL
General rehearsal of Lake on the stage of the Carlo Felice theater in Genoa. Adjustments are never completed.
Avec Jean-Christophe Maillot, Chorégraphe-Directeur des Ballets de Monte-Carlo, La Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: Lac de Jean Christophe Maillot
Musique: Tchaïkovsky, Orchestra del Teatro Carlo Felice Teatro Carlo Felice Gênes, Italie
Chef d’Orchestre: Nicolas Brochot
NEVER SCENE, une série de Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Episode 5: TROUBLES AND SMILES
The queen dominates with pleasure and suffers with ardor. From the height of her throne, from which all her desires were expressed, she no longer saw dances but passions, and betrayed cowards, confusions, and mistakes. But a queen, even vengeful, never forgets to save appearances. Marianna Barabás, a 29-year-old Hungarian-Russian artist, defends the Crown of the Lake of Jean-Christophe Maillot.
Avec Marianna Barabás Danseuse des Ballets de Monte-Carlo Dans le rôle de « La Reine » Et La Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: LAC de Jean-Christophe Maillot
Musique: Piotr Tchaïkovski, Teatro Carlo Felice, Gênes, Italie
Chef d’Orchestre: Nicolas Brochot
Pianiste: Imelda Hamilton Cartwright
NEVER SCENE, une série de Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Episode 6: BALANCED
Who is the Black Swan? A seductress, a girl, a sister, a treachery, a spell ... or a mother? Who remains the mask once snatched? April Ball, a 39-year-old American artist, is reborn and dies again in the role written for her by Jean-Christophe Maillot during the creation of Lac in 2011.
Avec April Ball Danseuse des Ballets de Monte-Carlo Dans le rôle du « Cygne Noir » Et La Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: LAC de Jean-Christophe Maillot
Musique: Piotr Tchaïkovski, Teatro Carlo Felice, Gênes, Italie
Chef d’Orchestre: Nicolas Brochot
Pianiste: Imelda Hamilton Cartwright
NEVER SCENE, une série de Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
In Lac, they form the sensual shadow that accompanies the Queen of the Night in her destructive aim. Alexis Oliveira is 35 years old, Georges Oliveira 34. They are brothers, born in Santos in Brazil and both have been soloists since 2009 and 2007 respectively at the Monte-Carlo Ballets. In life, they have a sister, Dandara, who joined them on a tour of Italy.
Avec Alexis et George Oliveira Danseurs des Ballets de Monte-Carlo Dans le rôle des « Anges des Ténèbres » Et La Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Ballet: LAC de Jean-Christophe Maillot
Musique: Piotr Tchaïkovski, Teatro Carlo Felice, Gênes, Italie
Chef d’Orchestre: Nicolas Brochot
Pianiste: Imelda Hamilton Cartwright
NEVER SCENE, une série de Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Episode 7: LIGHTNESS
Difficult to find the lightness between the woman and the animal, the dream of love and the reality. Liisa Hämalaïnen, a 27-year-old Russian-Finnish artist, plunges into the meanders of the tragic fate of the White Swan of Lake.
Avec Liisa Hämäläinen Danseuse des Ballets de Monte-Carlo Dans le rôle du « Cygne Blanc » Et La Compagnie des Ballets de Monte Carlo
Ballet: LAC de Jean-Christophe Maillot
Musique: Piotr Tchaïkovski, Teatro Carlo Felice, Gênes, Italie
Chef d’Orchestre: Nicolas Brochot
Pianiste: Imelda Hamilton Cartwright
NEVER SCENE, une série de Marika Mathieu ©Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo