Angelin Preljocaj

Preljocaj, Angelin (b Sucy-en-Brie, 9 Jan. 1957). French dancer, choreographer, and company director. Studied modern dance with Karine Waehner and Cunningham. Danced with various companies, including those of Quentin Rouiller, Viola Farber, and Dominique Bagouet (1982-4). In 1984 he founded his own group, Preljocaj Company. He was guest choreographer with the Lyons Opera Ballet (1990) and the Paris Opera Ballet (1994). In 1993 he founded the Ballet Preljocaj at Chateauvallon; in 1996 his company moved to Aix-en-Provence. Some of his most successful work as a choreographer has been in paying homage to ballet classics of the early 20th century. His versions of Les Noces (1989), Parade (Paris Opera, 1993), and Spectre de la rose (Paris Opera, 1993) were much acclaimed. A list of his other works includes Black Market (1985), To Our Heroes (1986), Romeo and Juliet (1990, Lyons), Bitter America (1990), The World Skin (1992), The Park (Le Parc, Paris Opera Ballet, 1994), Annunciation (Paris Opera Ballet, 1996), Firebird (Munich, 1995), Casanova (Paris Opera, 1998), and Personne n'épouse les Méduses (Ballet Preljocaj, 1999). Recent works include Helikopter (2001), Rite of Spring (2001) and Near Life Experience (2003). Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur (1998).