PARIS, April 26: One of the most appealing works by 19th century French sculptor and painter Degas, his statuette of the “little dancer”, has been brought to life on stage in a new ballet performed by the ballet company attached to the Paris Opera.

The two-act ballet, which premiered in the Palais Garnier opera house in the heart of Paris on Friday night, is described as “an imaginary quest of classic dance” through the work of Edgar Degas, whose paintings and sculptures of ballerinas formed a core of his artistic output.

The ballet, which aims to recapture the spirit of 19th century romanticism, was choreographed by former star Patrice Bart, now ballet master at the Paris Opera, to music by Denis Levaillant, and has parts for seven soloists in combinations from one to four dancers at a time as well as ensemble pieces.

Inspired by the real-life story of a young dancer who gets led astray and is thrown out the company, the ballet recreates scenarios, from the master class given by the ballet master to pupils watching in the wings as the company’s stars perform on stage.

The ballet is being given 11 performances from now until May 9.—AFP