CCN – Ballet national de Marseille | (LA)HORDE

In 1972, Gaston Deffere invited Roland Petit to establish his ballet in Marseille. Excelling in the art of intertwining classical ballet and contemporary dance, without adhering to any codes or rules, Petit distinguished himself on the choreographic scene by collaborating with major international figures from various disciplines: Pink Floyd, Keith Haring, Yves Saint Laurent… The Ballet National de Marseille was established 20 years later, hosting Petit’s company and his various activities, including the École national de danse de Marseille (National dance school in Marseille). Three management teams followed in his footsteps before (LA)HORDE: Marie-Claude Pietragalla, Frédéric Flamand, and Emio Greco and Pieter C. Scholten. Each brought their own artistic sensibilities, confirming that the BNM was indeed a European centre of excellence for dance and training, while organising large-scale artistic initiatives in the region, a legacy that (LA)HORDE is proud to inherit.

(LA)HORDE has infused new life into the BNM with their concept of “taking time to think through the body”. The CCN-Ballet has an in-house dance company, a rare resource that helps the collective defend long-term employment, as it did its predecessors. This allows dancers to take their time, hone their skills, and explore new avenues for daily body care and awakening. Rejecting the pressure from dissemination, they can offer audiences carefully thought-out works.