Europe is the spiritual home of classical ballet, where the art form was refined in the royal courts of France and Russia before spreading to stages across the continent. Today, Europe’s ballet companies continue to push the boundaries of dance while preserving the traditions that make ballet one of the most demanding and beautiful performance arts in the world.
In This Article
The Paris Opera Ballet: Tradition at Its Finest
The Paris Opera Ballet is the oldest national ballet company in the world, founded in 1669 by Louis XIV himself. The company performs at the Palais Garnier, a magnificent Second Empire opera house whose ornate interior provides a fitting setting for classical ballet. The Paris Opera Ballet is unique in maintaining its own school, which selects dancers through a fiercely competitive annual audition. The company’s repertoire encompasses the full range of classical works, from Giselle and La Bayadere to contemporary pieces choreographed by leading international artists. The etoiles, or star dancers, are among the most respected ballet artists in the world. Tickets for performances at the Palais Garnier range from quite affordable seats high in the upper tiers to premium orchestra seats. The Paris Opera Ballet season runs from September through July, with a summer break that coincides with the company’s annual tour. The grandeur of the Palais Garnier itself, with its marble staircase and Chagall painted ceiling, enhances every performance.
The Mariinsky Ballet: Russian Excellence
The Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg is home to one of the world’s great ballet companies, with a history that stretches back to the 18th century. The Mariinsky Ballet, known as the Kirov during the Soviet era, preserves the traditions of the Russian school while embracing contemporary choreography. The company’s productions of the great 19th-century classics, including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker, are performed with attention to detail and stylistic authenticity that reflects the heritage of Petipa and Tchaikovsky. The Mariinsky’s second stage, Mariinsky II, opened in 2013 and provides a state of the art performance space alongside the historic theatre. The company tours internationally but the best experience is seeing them perform in Saint Petersburg, where the connection between the dancers and the architecture of the theatre creates something magical. The box seats in the historic Mariinsky offer an intimate view of the stage that modern theatres cannot replicate.
The Royal Ballet: British Refinement
Based at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, the Royal Ballet is Britain’s premier dance company and one of the world’s foremost ballet institutions. The company was formed in 1946 from the Vic-Wells Ballet under the direction of Ninette de Valois, with Margot Fonteyn emerging as its first great star. The Royal Ballet is particularly known for its dramatic interpretations of the classics and for its commitment to new work, with contemporary choreographers regularly creating pieces for the company’s exceptional dancers. The Royal Opera House itself underwent a major redevelopment completed in 1999, which improved sight lines, acoustics, and backstage facilities while preserving the historic auditorium. The Linbury Theatre, a smaller studio space within the building, hosts experimental work and emerging choreographers. The company offers reduced price tickets for under 30s and occasional open rehearsals that provide insight into the creative process behind a ballet production.
La Scala Theatre Ballet: Italian Passion
Milan’s Teatro alla Scala is not only one of the world’s great opera houses but also home to the La Scala Theatre Ballet, a company with a distinguished history and a bright contemporary future. The company has undergone a revitalisation in recent years under a series of innovative directors, programming a mix of classical revivals and modern works. La Scala’s ballet school, founded in 1813, is one of the oldest in Italy and feeds talented graduates into the company. The auditorium of La Scala, with its horseshoe shape and six tiers of boxes, creates an intimate atmosphere even in a theatre that seats over 2,000. The company’s performances of Italian classics, including works by the great choreographer Massine, offer a distinctly Italian perspective on ballet. The season runs from December through July, with particular highlights during the December opening night, which is one of the most prestigious social and cultural events in Milan’s calendar each year.
Explore all our Europe travel guides, discover the best of the continent.
Explore More
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:
- Why is Val d'Isere Known as The World's Best Ski Resort? – View all posts in Ski Resorts
- 7 Of The Best French Ski Resorts For 2013 – View all posts in Ski Resorts
- Affordable chalet breaks for adrenaline seeking skiers – View all posts in Ski Resorts
