The Paris Opera has announced that it is reviewing its recruitment criteria with the aim of promoting diversity.
A referent will be appointed, like the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Dancers will be "assigned to identify talents in all French territories," announced the director general of the Opera.
The Paris Opera will review its recruitment criteria within its dance school, orchestra and choir with the aim of promoting diversity, for which the institution will appoint a "referent", as the Metropolitan recently did New York Opera.
These announcements were made Monday on the occasion of the presentation of a report on diversity drawn up, at the request of the Opera, by the historian Pap Ndiaye and the secretary general of the Defender of Rights Constance Rivière.
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The two rapporteurs made a series of recommendations, in particular the "overhaul" of the entrance examination to the prestigious dance school, breeding ground for the Opera Ballet, in order to "spot talent" throughout France , or the inclusion of people from outside for the musicians recruitment jury.
Identifying talent throughout France
Dancers will be "assigned to identify talents in all French territories," said Alexander Neef, director general of the Opera.
He specified that the house will commit "from the 2021-2022 season to a greater presence of artists from diverse backgrounds", by "broadening our recruitment and selection process for artists as well as our invitation and promotion policies. orders".
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The director, who from his arrival in September took the question of diversity head-on alongside a "manifesto on the racial question" drafted by artists of the house, announced that the Opera would appoint "a responsible of 'diversity and inclusion' mission "which will be" a point of contact for employees ".
A "scientific advisory committee made up of artists from the house and outside personalities" will also be created in the coming months to be "called upon on issues of diversity".
No rewriting of the booklets but a highlighting of unknown or forgotten figures
Alexander Neef clarified that the stereotypes would be “identified” in the lyric and ballet repertoire, and that a “contextualization” work will be carried out with the public. He clarified. "Little-known or forgotten figures from diversity" in the history of the Opera will also be highlighted.
He also recalled the actions already undertaken by the Opera: stopping the practice of "blackface", "the choice not to whiten the skin in certain ballets, and the adaptation of the hairstyle, make-up and tights for Métis and black artists. "This report is not the conclusion of a process, it is the beginning," said the director.