BALLET BIARRITZ
COMPANY HISTORY
BALLET BIARRITZ, headed by Thierry Malandain since its creation in 1998, is based in Basque country at the southwestern tip of France, a location that helps define its unique character. Although its repertory is largely comprised of neo-classic works created by Malandain, Ballet Biarritz maintains a close relationship with the rich Basque cultural heritage by supporting traditional Basque dance and by commissioning works inspired by the local history, such as Malandain’s “Chambre d’ Amour,” set to an original score by Basque composer Peio Çabalette. To further develop its partnership with the Southern Basque country and Spain, Ballet Biarritz divides its rehearsal time between its studios in Biarritz and those in San Sebastián, Spain.

In addition to its regular season in Biarritz, the company has toured in Great Britain, Spain, Switzerland, Egypt, China, Singapore and the United States. Ballet Biarritz’s education and community outreach programs include an ongoing collaboration with schools, open rehearsals and classes, special performances for young audiences, dance workshops for adults as well as a film series, Ciné-danse. In 2000, the company began a commissioning program, Acceuil Studio, to encourage young choreographers.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHY
THIERRY MALANDAIN (Artistic Director) Artistic Director of Ballet Biarritz since its creation in 1998, Thierry Malandain has also served as artistic director of the Biarritz annual dance festival since 2000. He began his dance training at the age of nine with Bagnolet Competition founder Jacques Chaurand and Paris Opera Ballet’s René Bon, Daniel Franck and Raymond Franchetti, and later performed with the Paris Opera, Ballet du Rhin and Ballet Théatre Français de Nancy. For 12 years, Malandain was artistic director of Compagnie Temps Présent.

In addition to his work for Ballet Biarritz, he has created dances for Ballet du Nord, Ballet du Rhin, Ballet National de Nancy, Ballet Royal des Flandres, Royal Ballet of Wallonie, Ballet de Marseille, Karlsruhe Ballet, San Carlo Ballet of Naples, National Ballet of Tunisia and Ballet Contemporaneo of Caracas. His choreography for opera includes Robert Fortune’s “Orphée aux Enfers” and “Candide;” Peter Brusse’s “Capriccio;” Alberto Fassini’s “Aida;” Jean-Louis Pichon’s “Richard Coeur de lion” and “Hérodiade;” and Frédéric Pineau’s “ La Poule Noire.”

Malandain was the recipient of the 1987 Prix de la Baule, as well as the 1984 Prix Volinine, and the 1984 and 1987 Prix de Nyon. In 1988, he was named a Fellow of both the Fondation de France and Fondation Oulmont, and received the Prix de la Nuit des Jeunes Créateurs and the Nouveau Talent Prix of SACD (Authors and Composers League). In 2000, he was made a Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and in 2004, was nominated for the “Benois de la Danse” at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow..