Paris Opera Ballet opens 2026 season with contemporary gala

The Paris Opera Ballet opened its 2026/2027 season with its annual opening gala, featuring a program focused on contemporary works. The evening included the premiere of ‘Rings of Saturn’ by Juliano Nunes, Jean-Christophe Maillot’s ‘Vers un pays sage’, and Aszure Barton’s ‘Busk’.

As part of the traditional ‘Défilé du Ballet’, dancers ranging from students to Étoiles participated in a procession. For this gala, the Étoiles wore tutus and tiaras created by Chanel. The event also featured a performance of Hector Berlioz’s ‘Marche des Troyens’ by musicians from the Academy’s youth orchestra program.

The gala comes at a transitional time for the institution, as the Palais Garnier is scheduled for major renovations from summer 2027 until 2032. Chanel is serving as the patron for these extensive renovation works, which will impact several sites including the Opéra Bastille, the Ateliers Berthier, and the Paris Opera Ballet School in Nanterre.