Photo : Yang Wang
"Impressions" by Angelin Preljocaj - Ballet Preljocaj / CCN d'Aix-en-Provence
Witness impressionist masterpieces come alive as the choreography of Angelin Preljocaj bridges the gap between classic painting and modern movement. Iconic works from Orsay are reimagined into a breathtaking stage performance that celebrates the intimacy of the human form. Prepare for a captivating evening where art history transcends the canvas to become pure emotion.
Chaillot - Théâtre national de la Danse (Paris 16th)
About
Choreographer Angelin Preljocaj brings Impressions to the stage at Chaillot – Théâtre national de la Danse, a performance inspired by the masterpieces of the Musée d’Orsay. This 50-minute work bridges the gap between visual arts and dance, drawing on iconic paintings such as Les Raboteurs de parquet and Hommes au bain. Running from January 5 to January 16, 2027, the show invites audiences to experience a unique dialogue between movement and impressionist art. Tickets range from 17 to 46 euros. It is an ideal outing for those looking to see art history transformed into a vibrant, contemporary choreographic language.
More than any other, Angelin Preljocaj is a choreographer of sentiments. Since his beginnings, he has magnified movement, creating a unique gestural language. He knows his classics as much as he invents his present, in motion. Above all, the artist that he is feeds on literature, music, and painting. The proof is in this season's program, inspired by some of the masterpieces from the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. As early as 1988, Angelin Preljocaj responded to a commission from the institution, "dancing" the painting The Floor Planers by Caillebotte, filmed at the time by Cyril Collard. Years later, it is Men at the Bath by the same artist that becomes a duo signed by Preljocaj. A way to explore intimacy in a singular moment. The female counterpart to this duo, Women at the Bath, succeeds it, summoning paintings by Degas. This program under the sign of Orsay and Impressionism is now completed with a third part. Luncheon on the Grass could well be the choreographer's source of inspiration. An invitation to reverie launched to every spectator. And the museum becomes, for the space of an evening, the most beautiful dance stage.
Philippe Noisette
Duration: 50 min
Category:
- Dance
- Visual arts
- Session adapted for spectators with mental disabilities: Saturday, January 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM
- Session with audio description: Saturday, January 9, 2026, at 3:00 PM
- Meet the artists after the performance: Thursday, January 14, 2026
- School session: Thursday, January 7, 2026, at 2:30 PM
Our take on this event
Angelin Preljocaj returns to the stage with Impressions, a performance hosted at Chaillot – Théâtre national de la Danse between January 5 and January 16, 2027. The 50-minute piece explores the intimate connection between the body and Impressionist masterpieces housed at the Musée d’Orsay, including works by Caillebotte and Degas. Through his signature choreographic style, Preljocaj turns the museum’s canvases into a living, moving spectacle.
Performances are scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 19:30, with additional shows on Thursdays at 14:30 and 19:30, and a Saturday afternoon slot at 15:00. Tickets are priced between 17 and 46 euros. To deepen the experience, a post-show artist talk is scheduled for Thursday, January 14. Specific sessions are tailored to different audience needs, including a school session on January 7 at 14:30. The theater provides a unique setting to witness this fusion of painting and dance.
