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July 14, 1999Last week, July 9th, in a packed Palais Garnier, Elisabeth Platel took her final bow as danseuse-étoile of the Paris Opéra Ballet. Most fittingly, she danced La Sylphide, her first major role some eighteen years earlier and a ballet which has been a signature-piece ever since. Considered by many as one of the greatest, by some also as one of the last authentic ballerinas of our time, the evening breathed more than just a special flavor. Yet, time is merciless at the Paris Opéra: at 40, female étoiles have to retire.
Elisabeth Platel joined the Paris Opéra Ballet in 1976. Swiftly conquering the successive ranks of the Opéra hierarchy, in 1981, at 22, she was nominated étoile immediately after her debut as Giselle. The ideal ballerina for Petipa and Balanchine (and "many more" as was aptly remarked by director Brigitte Lefèvre in her introductory speech following the farewell performance), Platel's career has always been guided by the profound conviction that a dancer should try to attain the very limit of the classical process and never stray from it. Building on a perfect schooling, proving to be utterly disciplined, showing a lasting devotion for the great classics, and imbuing her roles with a total physical and artistic commitment: last week Elisabeth Platel danced, and left no one indifferent.
Arguing that 40 is the limit for a ballerina would undoubtedly have raised a storm of protest from the enraptured audience who greeted her last Sylphide with a standing ovation of half an hour. More than a mere farewell performance, with dancing that beautiful of shape, elegant in manner and subtle in drama, the impeccable Platel not only gave us a lesson in classical style and integrity, she also reminded all of us how well ballet is served by maturity and time.
Fortunately, her retirement from the Paris Opéra does not imply her complete disappearance from the stage. Long may she dance !--Marc Haegeman