Events 2008
The Opéra National de Paris Presents The New York City Ballet for the First Time Since 1965
September 19, 2008
On the occasion of a historic engagement of the New York City Ballet, invited by Opera National de Paris to perform at Palais Garnier and Opera Bastille for the first time in more than fifty years, Ambassador Stapleton attended the exceptional joint Gala performance at the Palais Garnier featuring dancers from the New York City Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet. One of the foremost dance companies in the world, the New York City Ballet is unique in US artistic history.
The ballet’s two-week residency and season in Paris garnered wide, positive media coverage and illustrates the fruitful cultural cooperation between France and the U.S., including through the presence of French dancers and a French music director as part of the team of the New York City Ballet. Deputy Chief of Mission Mark Pekala hosted a luncheon at the Ambassador’s Residence in honor of the American Friends of the Paris Opera and Ballet (AFPOB) and of French patrons of the Paris Opera (AROP - Association pour le Rayonnement de l’Opéra de Paris). Public Affairs Minister Counselor James Bullock gave an interview for a documentary to be broadcast on the New York City Ballet’s web site.
Photo US Embassy: From right to left: President of the AROP Jean-Louis Beffa, Maria Pekala, Tiffany's France President Agnès Cromback, DCM Pekala, AFPOB chairman Marina de Brantes, NYCB Chairman John Vogelstein and Opera National de Paris President Bernard Stirn.
Links
Opéra National de Paris
AROP
New York City Ballet Press Release