Biography
Patrick Dupond (14 March 1959 – 5 March 2021) was a renowned French ballet dancer and artistic director.
His prominence rose in 1976 after winning the gold medal at the Varna International Ballet Competition in Bulgaria. A virtuoso performer, he was appointed danseur étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet in 1980 and achieved significant success in France while maintaining an international career. He collaborated with distinguished dancers such as Rudolf Nureyev, Maurice Béjart, and Alvin Ailey. In 1990, he succeeded Nureyev as the dance director of the Paris Opera Ballet. He left this role in 1995 and departed the Paris Opera in 1997, reportedly dismissed for "insubordination and indiscipline." Afterwards, he appeared on television as a contestant or judge on shows like Danse avec les stars, while continuing his stage performances.
Dupond's father left early, and he was raised modestly by his mother and her partner. To channel his energy, his mother enrolled him in football and judo, but he soon abandoned these. He discovered his passion for dance after watching a ballet class, leading his mother to sign him up. His talent was quickly recognized, and his teacher recommended advanced training. In late 1967, his parents met Tessa Beaumont and Max Bozzoni, a former Paris Opera Ballet dancer, who immediately recognized Dupond's potential and took over his training. In May 1968, Dupond temporarily paused school and dance classes. Upon returning, he faced ostracism from classmates due to his dancer status.
At age ten in 1969, he joined the Paris Opera Ballet's three-month preparatory course, passed the entrance exam to its dance school, and completed his classical training there while taking private lessons with Bozzoni every evening. Although he also studied under Gilbert Mayer, Bozzoni remained his primary instructor. He attended lycée Racine in Paris.
On 14 March 1975, at 16, Dupond became a member of the Paris Opera Ballet. He won the gold medal at the Varna International Ballet Competition performing Albrecht's variation from Giselle's second act, Siegfried's variation from Swan Lake's third act, the solo from Lander's Études, Basilio's variation from Don Quixote, a variation from Le Corsaire, and a contemporary piece he choreographed. In December that year, he was promoted to coryphée.
