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History
Origins and Foundation
The Prix Benois de la Danse is an annual ballet competition established in Moscow by the International Dance Association in 1991. Its inception was driven by a desire to honor and celebrate excellence within the global ballet community.
Annual Timing
The prestigious event takes place each year around April 29th, deliberately coinciding with the birthday of the renowned Russian-French artist Alexandre Benois (1870–1960), after whom the award is named. This timing underscores the award's connection to artistic heritage.
UNESCO Patronage
The initiative gained significant international recognition when it secured the patronage of UNESCO in the autumn of 1992. This endorsement highlights the gala's commitment to promoting dance as a universal art form.
The Award Statuette
The distinctive statuette awarded to laureates was designed in 1992 by the French sculptor Igor Ustinov. Notably, Ustinov is the son of the celebrated actor Peter Ustinov and a great-nephew of Alexandre Benois, adding a personal layer to the award's design.
Competition Goals
Showcasing Performance
A primary objective is to present the Benois audience with the finest performances of works submitted for consideration, irrespective of their origin or creator. This ensures a broad appreciation of ballet's diverse repertoire.
Uniting Dance Traditions
The competition aims to foster collaboration and mutual understanding by bringing together leading representatives from various dance styles, techniques, and schools worldwide.
Supporting Veterans
Through funds generated from gala concerts, the Benois de la Danse provides crucial financial support to veteran ballet artists, acknowledging their lifelong contributions to the art form.
Esteemed Jury
Judging Panel
The jury, responsible for evaluating the year's submissions, comprises distinguished figures from the international ballet world. Membership changes annually, ensuring a fresh perspective and broad representation of expertise.
Distinguished Laureates
Composers
Recognizing contributions to ballet music:
- George Kouroupos (1996) - Greece
- Michel Legrand (2012) - France
- Joby Talbot (2015) - United Kingdom
- Ilya Demutsky (2018) - Russia
Designers
Honoring excellence in stage and costume design:
- Olivier Debré (1998) - France
- Jaffar Chalabi (2000) - Austria
- Jurgen Rose (2002) - Germany
- Carlos Gallardo (2007) - Argentina
- John Macfarlane (2015) - United States
- Ren Dongsheng (2016) - People's Republic of China
- Kirill Serebrennikov (2018) - Russia
Special Recognition
Awards for unique contributions and partnerships:
- Prix "Benois-Moscow Massine-Positano": Ana Laguna (2015) - Sweden, Edward Watson (2015) - United Kingdom, Ekaterina Krysanova (2016) - Russia, Maria Kochetkova (2018) - United States
- For High Artistry in Partnership: Alexandre Riabko (2016) - Germany
Award Categories
Lifetime Achievement
Recognizing a lifetime dedicated to ballet:
Ballerinas
Celebrating outstanding female dancers:
Danseurs
Celebrating outstanding male dancers:
Choreographers
Recognizing innovative choreographic achievements:
Award Statistics
Analysis of laureates by country and company affiliation:
Teacher's Corner
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References
References
- Prix Benois de la Danse, Laureates
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date. It is not affiliated with the official Prix Benois de la Danse organization.
This is not an official award guide. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for consulting official sources or seeking expert advice regarding ballet and its awards. Always refer to official documentation for the most current and accurate information.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.