Background
LABIS, Attilio was born on September 5, 1936 in Vincennes. Son of Umberto and Renee (nee Cousin) Labis.
Ballet dancer and choreographer
LABIS, Attilio was born on September 5, 1936 in Vincennes. Son of Umberto and Renee (nee Cousin) Labis.
Ecole de danse academique de 1’Opera, Paris.
He began his training at the Opéra de Paris when he was nine years old and rose through the ranks of the school. In 1952 he was accepted into the corps de ballet Paris Opera Ballet, but in 1958 he had to join the military. Upon the completion his military service, he came back and successfully auditioned for a "Premier Danseur" (First soloist) position after only one week of training.
He was promoted to "Danseur Étoile" (principal dancer) approximately one year later, after André Malraux saw him dance "Pas de Dieux", a choreography by Gene Kelly, and recommended he be promoted.
He is seen as having brought many technical innovations to the French school, including more acrobatic steps in solos and duets, and moving the foot higher to the "retiré au genou" (knee height) position for pirouettes, from the old "à la cheville" (ankle height) position. He originated the role of Siegfried in the Vladimir Bourmeister staging of Swan Lake at the Paris Opera Ballet.
Corps de Ballet at the Paris Opera 1952, Premier Danseur 1959, Principal Premier Danseur 1960-1965, Maitre de ballet adjoint since 1965.
Married Christiane Vlassi in 1959.
