We will miss you, Mélanie!

Farewell to Mélanie Borel

Mélanie Borel, a beloved dancer of Ballett Zürich and one of my personal favorites, is retiring after 17 remarkable years with the company. I’ve always noticed Mélanie on stage. She had a quiet strength, a natural elegance, and a way of shining on stage without ever pushing for attention. Whether in a lead or blending into the ensemble, she brought such clarity, musicality, and grace to everything she danced.

She had some wonderful featured roles over the years. I still remember her performance as Le Choleric in George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments—sharp, fiery, and completely captivating. And her comedic timing as the Court Master in Christian Spuck’s Leonce und Lena was witty and theatrical. Another standout was her portrayal of the Queen in Mats Ek’s Sleeping Beauty that demanded intense acting as well as dancing. Unforgettable!

Mélanie danced in works by Balanchine, Spoerli, Spuck, Marston, Twyla Tharp, Wayne McGregor, Jiří Kylián, Crystal Pite, and many more. I especially loved how she could move from serious drama to comedy so naturally.

I was lucky enough to interview her once. She told me more about the “French style” in which she was trained in her home country. This style is quite different from the ones you often see in Russia or the United States, it is very elegant, focusing on clarity, finesse, and a refined, musical approach to movement.

Born in France, she began her dance training at the École de Danse de l’Opéra de Paris and the École Nationale Supérieure de Danse in Marseille. Her professional path led her to the Ballet de l’Opéra National de Bordeaux and the Peter Schaufuss Ballet in Denmark before joining Ballett Zürich in the 2008/09 season.

Mélanie danced under three ballet directors in Zürich —Heinz Spoerli, Christian Spuck, and Cathy Marston. That kind of continuity says so much about her reliability, versatility, and steady presence in the company.

Her last official performance will be Atonement on June 22, 2025, and the final one with Ballett Zürich Countertime on June 27, 2025.

Merci for everything, Mélanie—and all the best for whatever comes next!

Podcast mit Mélanie: Tanzen und sich neu erfinden (In German)

The dancer Mélanie Borel looks back on 17 years with Ballett Zürich. A conversation with Michael Küster.

https://www.opernhaus.ch/en/backstage/zwischenspiel-ein-podcast-aus-dem-opernhaus-zuerich/

Mein Interview mit Mélanie

Du chic à la Française! Der französische Ballettstil

CV Mélanie Borel (opernhaus.ch)

Mélanie Borel stammt aus Frankreich. Sie studierte an der École Nationale Supérieure de Danse in Marseille und an der École de Danse de l’Opéra de Paris. Engagements führten sie ans Ballet de l’Opéra National de Bordeaux sowie von 2005 bis 2008 ans Peter Schaufuss Ballet in Dänemark. Seit der Saison 2008/09 ist sie Mitglied des Balletts Zürich und war solistisch in Choreografien von Heinz Spoerli, Twyla Tharp, George Balanchine, Patrice Bart, Marco Goecke, Jiří Kylián, Wayne McGregor, William Forsythe, Martin Schläpfer, Hans van Manen und Edward Clug zu erleben. Ausserdem tanzte sie die Königin in Mats Eks Sleeping Beauty, den Hofmeister in Christian Spucks Leonce und Lena sowie die Mutter in Cathy Marstons The Cellist.

Header Image: Mélanie Borel in „Bella Figura“ by Jiří Kylián ©Ballett Zürich Facebook