Interview with Myriam Ould-Braham

Myriam Ould-Braham at Hatch House in July 2023.
Photo Credit: Alice Pennefather

What have you been working on this year, since stepping back from your full time commitments at the Paris Opera Ballet, Myriam?

Following my official departure from the Paris Opera in May 2024, I had the opportunity to dance in some very beautiful theatres, such as La Scala in Milan, and to meet wonderful people: dancers, rehearsal pianists… These experiences made this transition more pleasant and smoother. They allowed me to take a step back and rethink time differently.

I then took a year to fully devote myself to my family, as well as to the things that are close to my heart and that my career had not always allowed me to explore, particularly teaching. This has always been essential to me, and this stage of my life confirmed how deeply attached I am to it.

After this precious break, I chose to return to dance. It is part of my life, and I feel the desire to continue having beautiful experiences, while continuing the teaching and sharing that are essential to me.

What will you dance at The Island House in the Bahamas?

I chose the first piece by Van Opstal after seeing the ballet in December. The creation deeply moved me; I was touched by the dedication of the Opera dancers and the strength emanating from this work. The pas de deux performed by Mickaël Lafon with Clémence Gros particularly moved me and completely amazed me. There is a great fluidity to it, with moments of beautiful intensity.

When I was invited to dance at Iconique with Mickaël, we immediately had the same desire: to share the pas de deux he had danced. For the second piece, we chose to dance the pas de deux from Le Parc. I am very happy to be able to present it for the first time. It is a pas de deux that we should have danced some time ago, but the conditions weren’t right. In March, we have the pleasure of presenting it to you, and we are deeply honoured.

Myriam Ould-Braham & Mickaël Lafon performing Swan Lake pas de deux at Hatch House 2023
Photo credit: Alice Pennefather

What do you hope the audience will feel when you dance these pieces together?

I would like the audience to feel above all a unique moment, like a bubble of happiness. A moment of sweetness, out of time, that touches them and marks their evening.

What are you most looking forward to about returning to dance with the Covent Garden Dance Company?

What I am most looking forward to is reconnecting with dancers I have met abroad, catching up on their news, and seeing how they have progressed. These are always very special moments of sharing.

Hatch House 2023 - Photo credit: Alice Pennefather

Hatch House 2023 - Photo credit: Alice Pennefather

What will you work on when you return to Paris?

Upon my return to Paris, I will work on a creation that I am working on with Mickaël. We are fortunate to be able to dance with great musicians in an iconic location: the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.

Have you ever danced in the Bahamas before? Will you bring your children with you?

Yes, we would like to take our children, since it is vacation time in Paris at that period. It is an exceptional event, and I find it wonderful to be able to share this moment with them. However, we do not wish to disrupt or impose ourselves. So we will see if it happens naturally.

What three things do people not know about you?

I am extremely shy, I love tranquility, and the third will remain my little secret!

A video message from Mickaël Lafon

We cannot wait to welcome back the incredible on-stage and in life partnership of Étoile, Myriam Ould-Braham and Coryphée, Mickaël (Paris Opéra Ballet) to the Covent Garden Dance Company stage.

With only two months to go till Iconique, Bahamas and tickets selling fast, watch their video to discover what this world class couple will be dancing on the 7 & 8 March, 2025 at the Old Fort Bay Club, Nassau.

Hatch House 2024 Programme

Our 15th anniversary performance needed to be extra special and this summer’s programme does not disappoint.

We are delighted to bring you three world premieres of stunning works, especially created for our Hatch House 2024 audiences. We also boast a double bill of exquisite works from the quintessential towering figure of classical ballet, Sir Frederick Ashton alongside Diamonds, created by America’s greatest, most exciting choreographers, George Balanchine.

These works will be performed for our audiences’ delectation, as always by some of the world’s greatest dancers, from the greatest ballet companies in the world. This year art, music and artistry combine with live music from Arne-Christian Pelz, Principal Cellist of Deustche Oper’ and stunning hand drawn projections by contemporary artist Hannah Fowler.

If you haven’t booked your seats for 2025 yet, don’t delay, tickets are selling fast.

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To enquire about offers, tables, menu and the programme, get in touch via email events@coventgardendance.com or phone: 01749 81 3313

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Hatch House 2023 Programme

PARIS OPERA BALLET
& Friends

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PREMIÈRE

DELIBES SUITE

Choreography: José Martinez, Music: Richard Bonynge
Performed by: Luna Peigné and Pablo Legasa

TOUJOURS
Choreography: Mara Galeazzi, Music: Domenico Clapasson
Performed by: Mara Galeazzi and Jason Kittelberger

DON QUIXOTE
Pas de deux
Choreography: Rudolf Nureyev, Music: Ludwig Minkus
Performed by: Valentine Colasante and Guillaume Diop

FANNY ELSSLER
Pas de deux
Choreography: Pierre Lacotte, Music: Jean-Madeleine Schneitzhoeffer
Performed by: Ksenia Ovsyanick and Dinu Tamazlacaru

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DEUXIÈME

ROMEO AND JULIET
Balcony Pas de deux
Choreography: Rudolf Nureyev, Music: Sergei Prokofiev
Performed by: Luna Peigné and Guillaume Diop

WITHIN THE GOLDEN HOUR
Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon, Music: Ezio Bosso
Performed by: Francesca Hayward and Marco Masciari

LA PORTE
Choreography: Maurice Béjart, Music: Pierre Henry
Performed by: Ksenia Ovsyanick

SWAN LAKE
White Swan Pas de deux
Choreography: Rudolf Nureyev, Music: Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performed by: Myriam Ould-Braham and Mickaël Lafon

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TROISIÉME

NUITS S’ACHÉVE
Choreography: Benjamin Milliepied, Music: Daniel Barenboim
Performed by: Myriam Ould-Braham and Mickaël Lafon

MORGEN
Choreography: Wayne McGregor, Music: Richard Strauss
Performed by: Francesca Hayward and Marco Masciari

LES BOURGEOIS
Choreography: Ben Van Cauwenbergh, Music: Jacques Brel
Performed by: Dinu Tamazlacaru

RENAISSANCE
Choreography: Sébastian Bertaud, Music: Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by: Valentine Colasante and Pablo Legasa

Video message from Valentine Colasante

We cannot wait to watch Étoile of the Paris Opéra Ballet, Valentine Colasante perform at Hatch House, between the 27th and the 30th July 2023.

Watch her video below to discover what she will be dancing and with whom.

Video message from Luna & Guillaume

Hatch House 2023

With less than one month to go before Hatch House 2023, we are delighted to share a video message recorded between rehearsals, from Coryphée, Luna Peigne and Étoile, Guillaume Diop - from the Paris Opéra Ballet.

A UK debut

We are so excited to welcome all of the stars of the Paris Opéra Ballet, but especially delighted that performing at Hatch House, will be Guillaume Diop's first appearance in the UK since he was promoted to Étoile in March of this year. At just 23 and the first black Étoile in the history of the Paris Opéra Ballet, Guillaume’s appearance is much anticipated. It is an honour to be the first to welcome him onto our stage.

A world class programme of dance

Between Thursday 27th and Sunday 30th July 2023, Luna and Guillaume will be performing the iconic balcony scene from Rudolf Nureyev’s ‘Romeo & Juliet,’ to the soaring score of Sergei Prokofiev.

They will be joined on stage by their fellow Paris Opéra Ballet dancers and Etoiles Valentine Colasante, Myriam Ould-Braham, Mickael Lafon and Pablo Legasa. They will perform alongside Royal Ballet superstars Francesca Hayward and Marco Masciari and internationally renowned Staatsballett Principals Ksenia Ovsyanick and Dinu Tamazlacaru from the Staatsballett, Berlin.

Tickets are selling fast, don’t delay, book your seats using the button below.

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A message from Myriam & Mickaël

With one month to go until Hatch House 2023, we are delighted to share a video message from Étoile, Myriam Ould-Braham and Coryphée, Mickaël Lafon - our artists from the Paris Opéra Ballet.

“Hello, I am Myriam, Étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet.” “I am Mickaël Lafon, also from the Paris Opera Ballet. We are delighted to come and see you this Summer. We have the pleasure of performing two pieces for you. We will begin with Swan Lake pas de deux from Act II.” “Followed by Le Parc, another pas de deux, which I am excited to dance.” “We are so excited to see you very soon.” “Goodbye.”

“Hello, I am Myriam, Étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet.” “I am Mickaël Lafon, also from the Paris Opera Ballet. We are delighted to come and see you this Summer. We have the pleasure of performing two pieces for you. We will begin with Swan Lake pas de deux from Act II.” “Followed by Le Parc, another pas de deux, which I am excited to dance.” “We are so excited to see you very soon.” “Goodbye.”

Tickets are selling fast, have you reserved your seats yet? Click on the link below to discover our availability.