Obituary: Claude Bessy, Jacqueline Rayet - Paris Opera Ballet
- Ikuko
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
Opéra national de Paris said Claude Bessy and Jacqueline Rayet passed away.
Claude Bessy, former Étoile and later Director of the Paris Opera Ballet School (École de Danse de l’Opéra) for more than thirty years, passed away on 23rd April 2026, l'Opéra national de Paris said on the same day. Born in 1932, Bessy entered Paris Opera Ballet School at the age of nine and started dancing soloist roles when she was as young as 15 years old. She was promoted to a Première Danseuse in 1952 and to an Étoile in 1956.
Bessy had a brief stint as the head of the Paris Opera Ballet for one season from June 1970 to December 1971 following the resignation of Roland Petit. She introduced Maurice Béjart’s Boléro to the company's repertoire and danced it herself during this period.
Bessy became Director of the Paris Opera Ballet School in 1973 and remained in the position until 2004. She officially retired from the stage in 1975.
Personal note: I went to watch Paris Opera Ballet School's tour to Tokyo a few times as a child and she was the director of the school back then. I remember the picture below vividly. I wish I had had an opportunity to see her on stage as an Étoile.
Jacqueline Rayet, former Étoile and ballet teacher, passed away on 17th April 2026, Paris Opera said on 19th April.
Rayet was born in 1933 and joined Paris Opera Ballet School in 1942 and joined the company in 1964 when she was just 13 years old. She became an Étoile in 1961.
After retiring from the stage, Rayet became Ballet Mistress at the Paris Opera before dedicating herself to teaching at the Paris Conservatory (Conservatoire national supérieur de musique de Paris) from 1986 onwards.
