Gala Performances at Seoul Arts Center from July 30
Ten Paris Opera Ballet Etoiles to Participate
Park Saeun, the first Asian etoile (principal dancer) of the Paris Opera Ballet, will present her third gala performance, which she personally planned, together with her fellow dancers. From July 30, for three days, the "Paris Opera Ballet Etoile Gala 2025" will be held at the Opera Theater of the Seoul Arts Center.
Park Saeun was promoted to etoile in 2021, and since the following year, she has visited Korea annually with her fellow dancers for gala performances. Except for a break in 2023 due to childbirth, she has performed her third gala stage this year, following 2022 and last year. The number of fellow etoiles participating each year has been increasing. In the first gala in 2022, there were five dancers including herself, last year there were six, and this year there are ten. Mathieu Ganio, a leading dancer of the Paris Opera Ballet who has been active as an etoile for over 20 years since 2004, will also join the stage this year.
Se Eun Park, the first Asian etoile (principal dancer) of the Paris Opera Ballet, is speaking at the press conference for the 'Paris Opera Ballet Etoile Gala 2025' held on the 28th at the Seoul Arts Center. Photo by Seoul Arts Center
Park Saeun explained at a press conference held at the Seoul Arts Center on July 28 that the gala performance in Korea has become a popular event within the ballet company.
"The recognition of the Korea gala performance within the ballet company has become extremely high. All the etoiles really want to come. That’s why ten of us came this time."
Guillaume Diop, an etoile who attended the press conference, said, "The planning of the gala performance is excellent, and our company members really like the works. Meeting Korean audiences is wonderful, and because I have such good memories, I wanted to participate in this gala again."
Diop has visited Korea for three consecutive years. He participated in the gala performance for two consecutive years, including last year, and in 2023, he performed in the Paris Opera Ballet's full-length production (Giselle at LG Arts Center) in Korea for the first time in 30 years. When performing in Giselle, Diop was on stage as a sujet (soloist), and immediately after the performance, during the curtain call, he was promoted to etoile, which became a widely discussed topic. Diop said, "Korea is even more meaningful to me because it is where I was promoted to etoile."
The reason why the gala performance programs have received such positive reviews is that Park Saeun's determination to present outstanding works aligned with the intention of the Paris Opera Ballet’s director. Park Saeun said that she frequently discusses the works with the director.
"Some works are truly excellent, but the copyright fees are unbelievably expensive, or there are extremely strict conditions. If we have to meet the choreographer directly for rehearsals, we have to cover the choreographer's airfare and hotel expenses. However, the director and I agreed that we should present truly great works, even if they are expensive. The director allows me to do everything I want to do."
Guillaume Diop, Se Eun Park, and Mathieu Ganio (from left) of the Paris Opera Ballet Etoiles are taking a commemorative photo after the press conference for the 'Paris Opera Ballet Etoile Gala 2025' held at the Seoul Arts Center on the 28th. Photo by Seoul Arts Center
As in the previous year, Park Saeun organized the performance into two programs, A and B. Program A will be performed on July 30 and 31, and Program B will be performed on August 1.
In Program A, Park Saeun will perform "In the Night" and the Act 2 Grand Pas de Deux from "The Nutcracker." In Program B, she will participate in the Sylvia and Aminta Pas de Deux from "Sylvia," and the full-length highlights from "The Sleeping Beauty."
"In the Night" was presented in the first ballet gala in 2022. Park Saeun said, "I wanted to present only new works, but the audience wanted to see it again, so I brought it back."
"In the Night" is a work by American choreographer Jerome Robbins, where three couples dance to Chopin's nocturnes. Park Saeun explained, "I specially borrowed the costumes for 'In the Night.' The costumes are rather delicate, so they usually don't lend them out, but I approached a high-ranking person and made a special request, and received permission."
Park Saeun said, "I spent a year thinking about what great works to show, and I brought pieces that I truly love. I am so excited and happy because I have prepared outstanding works that represent the Paris Opera Ballet."
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