Alexander Neef, Director of the Paris Opera, has announced that José Carlos Martínez, the only Spanish dancer who has ever been an Etoile with Paris Opera Ballet has been named its new artistic director.
“José Martinez’s brilliant career as dancer, his experience as dance company director and choreographer, as well as his sensitivity to mediation and inclusion will ensure the stability, influence and excellence of the Paris Opera Ballet,” says Neef.
At the moment, the renowned ballet company is France’s capital is without artistic direction since the departure earlier this year in June of its then leader Aurélie Dupont.
Martínez, the former Artistic Director of Compañía Nacional de Danza (Spanish National Dance Company), will begin in his new role in Paris on December 5, 2022. At that time, he will devote himself exclusively to his activity as the Paris Opera dance director, thus renouncing his activity as a choreographer, except for two previous engagements scheduled in 2023 in Bordeaux and Stockholm, where he will lead the revivals of his ballets.
José Carlos Martínez New Director of Paris Opera Ballet
Martínez became Neef’s final choice for artistic directorship after a total of 23 applications were received. Although details are confidential, of the applicants, there were nine women and fourteen men, eleven with French nationality and twelve of foreign nationality. The selection committee interviewed eight of the twenty-three candidates and made their recommendations to Neef, who then decided to interview four of them.
Featured Photo of José Carlos Martínez © Didier Plowy from Paris Opera Ballet website.
