Jacques Garnier

French dancer and choreographer (1940-1989)

He began dancing at the age of 18 after completing his secondary education. He trained in Yves Brieux’s class at the Conservatoire National de Paris and joined the corps de ballet of the Paris Opéra after auditioning in 1963. His participation in Ballet-Studio, a contemporary group set up within the Opéra by Michel Descombey in 1968, opened up new horizons. He then trained in Alvin Ailey and Merce Cunningham’s techniques during trips to the United Sates. Driven by a desire for freedom, with a group of friends, he founded the Groupe des 7 and with it, produced his earliest choreographies, performed at the Festival of Avignon (1970-1971). With Brigitte Lefèvre, he left the Opéra and set up the Théâtre du Silence in 1972. He returned to the Opéra in 1981 to form the GRCOP research group.

Whether as performer or choreographer, he expresses the search for an internal rhythm, paying special attention to the quality of movement and music in “Aunis” (1981) or “À Cœur Ouvert” (1984), a pas de deux composed for Ghislaine Thesmar and Michaël Denard. He obstinately promotes modern composers including K. Stockhausen (“Kontakle”, 1975), Bruno Maderna (“Quadrivium”, 1975), Steve Lacy (“Score”, 1979). A natural leader, he calls upon the “American Masters” as well as young choreographers, contributing by his generosity to the rise of French dance.”

Source: Dictionnaire de la Danse (Larousse, 1999)