The Opéra national du Rhin Ballet

A CCN at the opera
The OnR Ballet was recognized as a Centre chorégraphique national (CCN) in 1985 and remains an exception as the only one attached to an opera house. Its unique identity has shaped this center of excellence, which has a mission not just to revisit classical pieces but also to actively produce new works under both seasoned choreographers and emerging talents. The Ballet's repertoire is one of the most diverse in France, ranging from baroque through to reinterpreted classics and contemporary pieces. With a program specifically designed to be boundary-pushing yet accessible to all, the Ballet helps promote dance culture among its ever-growing audiences, complemented by school matinées and educational sessions.

Under the impetus of Bruno Bouché, the CCN's missions are expanding. The invitation of the Compagnie Retouramont, pioneers of vertical dance, as ‘Associate Artists’, continues the reflection on the place of a Ballet in the city and develops its presence in the public space, as close as possible to the citizens. Laura Cappelle's research residency, supported by DanceReflections from Van Cleef & Arpels, is analysing the aesthetic and social evolutions of contemporary ballet, contributing to the transformations at the heart of the project for a European Ballet in the 21st century.

The OnR Ballet has also broadened its range. Located at the crossroads of Europe, the company delights in exploring fresh works and subjects that resonate with today's audiences. The program of new forms and pieces devised by young dancers-choreographers continues to push the boundaries of dance to foster connections between performers and choreographers, artists and spectators. It strikes a balance between honoring tradition and taking risks, revisiting classics and championing modern creativity.

Productions catalog

Bruno Bouché has been Director of the Ballet de l'Opéra national du Rhin since 2017. He joined the Ballet de l'Opéra national de Paris in 1996 and danced under the direction of Brigitte Lefèvre, performing a repertoire ranging from Rudolf Nureyev to Pina Bausch, via William Forsythe and Angelin Preljocaj. He has signed his own choreographies since 2003, which he regularly presents at the Palais Garnier and throughout the world. For the Opéra national du Rhin, he has created Fireflies (2018), 40D (2019), Les Ailes du désir (2021) after Wim Wenders, They Shoot Horses Don't They? after Horace McCoy (2023) with Clément Hervieu-Léger and Daniel San Pedro, Pour le reste (2024) and recreated Bless ainsi soit-Il (2018) and Nous ne cesserons pas (2024). As part of the MAMCS exhibition 'Aux temps du sida' (In the Time of AIDS), he created Jérôme in tribute to the writer Mathieu Riboulet. In 2026, he will create a new choreography for the Chemnitz Theatre Ballet: Caravaggio or the Silence of Our Heartbeats.

The French Ministry of Culture awards the title of Centre chorégraphique national (CCN) to institutions directed by choreographic artists of particular merit, whose spirit and originality represent the creative diversity on the contemporary French stage. The 19 CCN focus mostly on choreographic work, but also on building repertoire, spreading productions, sharing resources, and choreographic training and development. They are funded by the central and regional governments to promote regional development and dance. Artists receive structural support and a dedicated workplace. The Ballet of the Opéra national du Rhin became a CCN in 1985 and remains an exception, as it's the only CCN that is also part of an opera. The official policy is to promote both grand repertoire and neo-classical ballet, while hosting contemporary companies to foster professional exchange. Each CCN follows a policy of creation and promotion, both in its own region and abroad, maintenance of a particular repertoire, and development of innovative dance projects.