Roland Petit

Choreographer, Ballet Master, Dancer, Paris Opera Icon

Born Jan 13, 1924

Villemomble, France

Passed Away Jul 10, 2011 Geneva, Switzerland

Lifespan 87 years old

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Notice / Correction

"Dance is poetry written by the human body in space."

Archival Overview

Legendary French choreographer and dancer who revitalized 20th-century ballet with theatrical energy, creating Le Jeune Homme et la Mort and directing the Ballet National de Marseille for 26 years.

Biographical Record

Roland Petit entered the Paris Opera Ballet school at age nine and danced in the corps de ballet before founding the Ballets des Champs-Élysées in 1945. In 1946, he choreographed Jean Cocteau's existential masterpiece 'Le Jeune Homme et la Mort', starring Jean Babilée.

In 1948, Petit created the Ballets de Paris, scoring a worldwide triumph with his seductive ballet 'Carmen' starring his lifelong muse and wife Zizi Jeanmaire. In 1972, he founded the Ballet National de Marseille, choreographing over 150 ballets for stars like Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn, and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Key Life Milestones

1946

Le Jeune Homme et la Mort

Choreographed the landmark ballet based on Jean Cocteau's libretto to Bach's Passacaglia.

1972

Founding Ballet National de Marseille

Established the world-renowned company, directing it for 26 years and creating over fifty original ballets.

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Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Montparnasse Cemetery
Paris, France

                         GPS: 48.8403, 2.3247                    

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