Details

Sylvie Guillem CBE, was born on 23 February 1965 in Paris, France. As a child, she trained in gymnastics under the instruction of her mother, a gymnastics teacher. In 1977 aged 11, she began training at the Paris Opera Ballet School, and in 1981 joined the company's corps de ballet. She was promoted to the rank of "Etoile" by Rudolf Nureyev at the age of 19. Since then she has performed all the leading roles of the classical repertoire with the world's leading companies including The Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, the Kirov, The Tokyo Ballet, Australian Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and La Scala. Widely recognised as one of the world’s greatest dancers, Sylvie Guillem stars in this new evening of work by three of today’s most important choreographers; Mats Ek, William Forsythe and Jiri Kylian. This Sadler’s Wells / Sylvie Guillem production features iconic dance-maker William Forsythe’s new duet for her and Paris Opera Ballet etoile Nicolas Le Riche. Acclaimed Swedish choreographer Mats Ek’s new solo, Ajo (Bye), for Guillem, set to Beethoven’s last piano sonata, has been heralded as a 'masterpiece' by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Completing the evening is a film by former Artistic Director of Nederlands Dans Theater Jiri Kylian and film maker Jason Akira Somma, featuring Guillem and Sabine Kupferberg, followed by a duet from Kylian’s work 27’52" performed by dancers handpicked by the choreographer. Following the highly acclaimed collaborations, PUSH and Eonnagata, this world premiere evening marks Sylvie Guillem’s highly-anticipated return to Sadler’s Wells that is set to be a highlight of 2011’s cultural calendar. The proceeds from this additional show, including the transaction fee, will be donated to the Japan Tsunami Appeal, managed by the British Red Cross.

Cast/Performers

Sylvie Guillem