CCN Malandain Ballet Biarritz - ‘Midday-Midnight’

As he prepares to hand over the reins of the company that bears his name to his successor, Martin Harriague, Thierry Malandain looks back on twenty-five years of creative work and presents a dazzling grand finale. This three-part programme stands as testament, if any were needed, to the excellence of the work achieved and to his mastery of a style of choreography that remains intimately linked to music. Whilst the academic vocabulary remains the foundation in each piece, the choreographer adapts it as he sees fit in a multitude of combinations. The programme opens with *Minuit et demi, ou le Coeur mystérieux*, featuring, alongside the famous Danse Macabre, the all-too-rare melodies of Saint-Saëns, followed by *Midi pile* or *Le Concerto du Soleil*, the revival of a 1995 ballet set to Francis Poulenc’s *Concerto for Two Pianos in D minor*, which in 1998 opened the very first show presented by the Centre Chorégraphique National at the Gare du Midi in Biarritz. A “feast of beautiful and joyful dance”, followed by a *Boléro* first performed in 2001, which brings this triptych of inventiveness and elegance – much like its creator – to a deeply moving close. All three works were magnificently staged by the late Jorge Gallardo. Minuit et demi, ou Le Cœur Mystérieux Created 2025 – 19 performers Music: Camille Saint-Saëns Choreography: Thierry Malandain Sets & Costumes: Jorge Gallardo Lighting: François Menou Costume Realization: Véronique Murat, Charlotte Margnoux, Léa Murat Midi pile ou le Concerto du Soleil Created 1995 recreated 2025 – 12 performers Music: Francis Poulenc Choreography: Thierry Malandain Sets & Costumes: Jorge Gallardo Lighting: François Menou Boléro Created 2001, 12 performers Music: Maurice Ravel Choreography: Thierry Malandain Sets & Costumes: Jorge Gallardo Lighting: Jean-Claude Asquié Half Past Midnight, or The Mysterious Heart 40 min Intermission Noon Sharp, or The Concerto of the Sun 20 min Boléro 15 min