The Swedish choreographer Pontus Lidberg will lead the Ballet Nice Méditerranée starting in December 2024. This decision was made by Bertrand Rossi and Christian Estrosi. He succeeds Éric Vu-An, who passed away last June.
Pontus Lidberg (47 years old), originally from Stockholm, has built his career by combining classical and contemporary dance. The Swedish artist was trained at the Royal Swedish Ballet and the Conservatoire de Paris. He has established himself as a choreographer by working with prestigious companies. Among them are the New York City Ballet, the Paris Opera Ballet, and the Ballets de Monte-Carlo. His experience has led him to collaborate with institutions such as the Venice Biennale and the Danish Dance Theatre, which he directed from 2018 to 2023.
Known for his approach that blends dance, cinema, and visual arts, Lidberg aims to position Ballet Nice Méditerranée within an artistic vision where tradition and modernity coexist. According to him, this direction aims to “honor classical roots while anchoring the company in the present.”
A new dynamic for the Ballet Nice Méditerranée
Pontus Lidberg has the ambition to transform the Nice-based company into a major cultural player. He intends to develop an accessible and inventive program, integrating contemporary creations and reimagined classics. “My objective is to bring new energy, to enhance the national and international outreach of the company while creating links with local stakeholders,” he states.
Bertrand Rossi, the general director of the Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur, sees this appointment as a strong signal for the city’s artistic scene. Christian Estrosi shares this enthusiasm: “It’s an honor to welcome a figure of his stature. He will contribute to the global prominence of Nice.”
With this appointment, Ballet Nice Méditerranée begins a new era marked by innovation. It represents an opportunity to open up to interdisciplinary collaborations.
