PONANT and the Paris Opera (Opéra national de Paris) have joined forces in an unprecedented partnership for an outstanding voyage in 2024. Six dancers from the Opera’s ballet company including prima ballerinas Valentine Colasante and Mathieu Ganio will be invited onboard to promote dance beyond theatreland for the delight of PONANT guests.
Taking place from 1st to 8 August 2024 on a voyage from Athens to Venice via Corfu and Dubrovnik, six globally acclaimed dancers will be on board L’Austral offering performances at sea and ashore, themed lectures and introductory ballet classes, enlightening fans of classical dance or the newly converted so all can enjoy the experience in their own way.
“What the Paris Opera Ballet and PONANT have in common is that both are driven by an all-consuming desire to share, to be open to others and the world. Through this partnership they are offering travellers an opportunity to discover the Opera’s classical and contemporary dance treasures and to exchange views. It is an odyssey that I know in my heart will inspire the six dancers as they perform against a backdrop of theatrical Greek and Croatian landscapes,” Director General of the Paris Opera Alexandre Neef said.
As exclusive as it is exceptional, the new PONANT partnership further reinforces an enrichment programme of unrivalled quality on the market. “We are delighted and proud of the confidence and trust placed in us by the Paris Opera in forging this partnership. Dance has the power to unite, transport and invite people to share. It is the essence of PONANT’s Explore to Inspire philosophy. It is also in the spirit of the new collection of themes, Travel is an Art, for voyages ever richer in meaning and inspiration; and truly unforgettable moments,” enthuses Hervé Gastinel, CEO of PONANT.
The Paris Opera has worked closely with PONANT in designing this one-of-a kind programme. Aboard L’Austral, the prima ballerinas and dancers from the Paris Opera Ballet will take part in two privileged meetings with guests, where they reflect on their careers and what drives them. There will also be two screenings of performances and excerpts from documentaries on dance, followed by a discussion. PONANT and the Paris Opera Ballet have also developed two “danced lectures” involving rehearsing the pas de deux in front of an audience, a wonderful invitation to learn what goes on behind the scenes when preparing a ballet. To complete this immersive experience, travellers also have the opportunity to take part in an introductory classical ballet class with a dance teacher from the Paris Opera.
Completing the itinerary are activities during ports of call with the dancers holding two exceptional performances with extracts of the great classical and contemporary ballets at the Municipality Theatre of Corfu on 3 August 2024 and the Dubrovnik Theatre Marin Držić on 5 August 2024.
From the City of the Gods to the City of the Doges with the Paris Opera Ballet
From Athens to Venice – 7 nights onboard L’Austral
From 1st to 8th August 2024
From AUD 6,240 per person, plus up to 30% Ponant Bonus Savings*
Find out more about this sailing
Valentine Colasante, prima ballerina at the Paris Opera Ballet
“A pure product of the Paris Opera,” as she describes herself, Valentine Colasante joined Paris Opera’s dance school at the age of 8 and was hired by its Ballet company at 17, rising up the hierarchy to become a prima ballerina at 29. A natural born dancer, her mother was a dance teacher, her father a jazz musician in Paris. Whether being electrifying as Kitri, scintillating as Raymonda or dazzling as Pina Bausch, Valentine Colasante lights up the world’s most prestigious stages with her radiant presence.
Mathieu Ganio, prima ballerina at the Paris Opera Ballet
Son of two dancers, one a prima ballerina at the Paris Opera Ballet, the other a soloist at the Marseille Opera Ballet, Mathieu Ganio was destined for stardom. Since he first appeared on stage, in 1986 at the tender age of 2, Mathieu Ganio has given it his all to meet this destiny. His elegant movements and qualities as a partner combined with a rare charisma have earned him international acclaim and raised him in 2004 to the rank of prima ballerina. In 2020, Mathieu Ganio was elevated to ‘Officer of Arts and Letters’, France national order for cultural merit, for his contribution to dance.
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