Becoming an Étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet: The Institutional Origins of Personal Charisma

The destiny of danseur étoile or danseuse étoile (the highest rank a dancer can reach at the Paris Opera Ballet) always appears within the semantic field of “talent” or “gift,” as if to justify something that escapes reason. Rather than offering a causal explanation, this article, which focuses on t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBiens Symboliques / Symbolic Goods no. 12
Main Author Laillier, Joël
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Université Paris Lumières 28.09.2023
Subjects
Weihe
charisme
Ballett
ballet
Étoile
Paris Opera
consecration
danse
consagración
Estrella
charisma
baile
carisma
Star
consécration
Ópera de París
Opéra de Paris
dance
Tanz
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Summary:The destiny of danseur étoile or danseuse étoile (the highest rank a dancer can reach at the Paris Opera Ballet) always appears within the semantic field of “talent” or “gift,” as if to justify something that escapes reason. Rather than offering a causal explanation, this article, which focuses on the Paris Opera Ballet, studies this belief to reveal the roots of what is truly akin to a charismatic recognition, in which the institution plays a fundamental role. Drawing on Max Weber’s theory of charisma, the article shows that the institutional production of charisma is not limited to charisma of office but also concerns the apparently least institutionalized form: personal charisma. The institution acts as much on the representations of individuals as it does on those destined to fulfil the role, by legitimizing their aspirations and allowing them to play the role of étoile. It ensures both the production of a differential stage performance and its reception as the result of personal charisma.
ISSN:2490-9424
2490-9424
DOI:10.4000/bssg.2432