Obituary: Patrice Bart - Paris Opera Ballet Étoile, choreographer and ballet master
- Ikuko
- Oct 6
- 1 min read
L’Opéra national de Paris announced on 6th October 2025 that Patrice Bart passed away after dedicating more than half a century of his life to Paris Opera Ballet.
Born in 1945, Bart entered l'École de Danse in 1957 and joined Paris Opera Ballet in 1959. He rose through the ranks and became Étoile in 1972. He became a répétiteur in 1986 and Ballet Master in 1987, before retiring from the stage in 1989.
In 1990, Bart was named associé à la Direction de la Danse (Ballet Master associated with the Direction of Dance), the position which he held until 2011.
During his time as Ballet Master, Bart worked closely with ballet greats such as Eugène Polyakov and Rudolf Nureyev for their productions. He also choreographed various ballets for companies in Europe, including La Petite Danseuse de Degas for Paris Opera Ballet in 2003.
