The Paris Opera Ballet is without a director of dance since Benjamin Millepied decided to step down for problems in dealing with the company's internal politics. In a press conference, the ballet remained tight-lipped on the reasons for the choreographer's departure.
In earlier interviews, particularly one in the French documentary Releve, Millepied cited that the company's core infrastructure had given him reason enough to call it quits with directing the ballet. Specifically, Millepied noted its staunchness on classic material, rating its dancers and even the caliber and quality of its talent and programming.
However, the 38-year-old dancing superstar has been criticized for stepping down without giving the company its due process. In just a two-and-a-half-year tenure, the ballet's administration and fans of the company feel he is abandoning his post without having done anything of notoriety.
Mr. Millepied says that revamping an entire institution rooted in the classics is now easy task. In an interview, he said:
"I knew it was going to be complicated and I tried really hard. To face the cultural and economic issues of our time, we need new kinds of organizations, and I've realized that it's too hard to turn this one into what I think is most relevant for ballet today. It's two and a half years that I've worked on this, and I know it's a short time, but it is long enough to realize this is not something I want to do."
In response to all of Mr. Millepied's comments about the ballet, the POB has elected to stay quiet on all of the accusations levied at this time.
For now, Mr. Millepied and wife Natalie Portman intend on returning to Los Angeles where Millepied will focus on choreographing and leading a small ensemble he founded in 2012.
Preview Mr. Millepied for the time being below.
