Élisabeth Platel

More than a competition, the Prix de Lausanne is a meeting of artists: between the teachers and the directors – all are confirmed artists – and the candidates – artists in the making. The competition is a week of exchanges, mainly about discovering new talents in the respect of our art, hoping to see lots of artistic careers begin.

Élisabeth Platel started dancing at the Conservatoire of Saint Germain-en-Laye before entering the Paris Conservatoire of music and dance. Awarded first prize in 1975, she entered the Paris Opera Ballet School and joined the Corps de Ballet the following year. Promoted to “Première danseuse” in 1979, she was named “Étoile” at the end of her first performance in the title role in Giselle on December 23, 1981.

Great performer of the classical and academic repertoire, she was chosen by Rudolf Noureev – then Ballet Director at the Paris Ballet Opera – to create the main roles of Raymonda – 1983, Swan Lake – 1984, Sleeping Beauty – 1989 and La Bayadère – his last creation, in 1992. Élisabeth Platel also participated to many incorporations to the repertoire and became a privileged performer for pieces by George Balanchine and John Neumeier, without putting contemporary pieces aside (Schéma by Alwin Nikolaïs, Voluntaries by Glen Tetley, Before Nightfall by Nils Christe…)

Often invited by main companies and foreign theaters (Bolchoi Ballet Moscow, Royal Ballet London, Hamburg Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Kirov Ballet Saint Petersburg…), she received the Massine prize in 1998 and the Prix Benois de la danse in 1999 for her career, including her role as Ambassador of the French School throughout the world.

On July 9^th, 1999, she gave her farewell to the Paris Opera Ballet with La Sylphide but kept on performing there as a guest “Étoile” (La Bayadère and Raymonda in 2000, A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2001).

For many years, Élisabeth Platel has also taught as a guest teacher both in France and abroad as well as worked as a coach (Rio de Janeiro Theater, Wiener Staatsoper, Hamburg Ballet, Palais Garnier).

She became Director of the Paris Opera Ballet School in September 2004, succeeding to Claude Bessy.

Élisabeth Platel was appointed by the French government Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres, Officer of the French Legion of Honor and Officer of National Order of Merit.