Yesterday was another gala night for the Paris Opera Ballet's opening of the season. Like each year, on this special occasion, we do the Défilé du Corps de Ballet, a tradition of the company since the beginning of the 20th century.
This grand défilé starts with the students of the Paris Opera Ballet School, from the youngest to the final year students, then the Corps de Ballet, the soloists and the Etoiles.
Before I know it, it was my 7th year to do this défilé, on this stage, not counting last year when I only watched it from the audience due to a hip injury. While waiting of the side, watching the students walking elegantly towards the downstage, line by line, and with a staff shouting loudly "Un! Deux! Trois! Quatre! Cinq! Six! Sept! Huit! Gauche! Droite! Gauche........" I got very emotional.
Over the years, I realised that each time when I do this défilé, my feeling is very different. When I just entered the Paris Opera School, discovering this beautiful tradition was such a treat. Hector Berlioz's music is grandiose, and we walked down that mythical stage with such pride and excitement! It was also such an opportunity to meet the company members, the Etoiles, and we all thought while watching "will I be lucky enough to be part of this company one day?"
7 years later, now that I am on the "other side" already, maybe I am still looking at the Etoiles and the Soloists and imagined for a few seconds if I will walk in a different line one day. However, I see much differently today. What I've experienced here changed my perception. And I still can't explain exactly how I feel about it. But it was one emotional moment~
This grand défilé starts with the students of the Paris Opera Ballet School, from the youngest to the final year students, then the Corps de Ballet, the soloists and the Etoiles.
Before I know it, it was my 7th year to do this défilé, on this stage, not counting last year when I only watched it from the audience due to a hip injury. While waiting of the side, watching the students walking elegantly towards the downstage, line by line, and with a staff shouting loudly "Un! Deux! Trois! Quatre! Cinq! Six! Sept! Huit! Gauche! Droite! Gauche........" I got very emotional.
Over the years, I realised that each time when I do this défilé, my feeling is very different. When I just entered the Paris Opera School, discovering this beautiful tradition was such a treat. Hector Berlioz's music is grandiose, and we walked down that mythical stage with such pride and excitement! It was also such an opportunity to meet the company members, the Etoiles, and we all thought while watching "will I be lucky enough to be part of this company one day?"
7 years later, now that I am on the "other side" already, maybe I am still looking at the Etoiles and the Soloists and imagined for a few seconds if I will walk in a different line one day. However, I see much differently today. What I've experienced here changed my perception. And I still can't explain exactly how I feel about it. But it was one emotional moment~
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