Danseur Étoile

Danseur Étoile (or Danseuse Étoile for females, literally "star dancer") is the highest rank a dancer can reach at the Paris Opera Ballet. It is equivalent to the title "Principal dancer" in Anglo-Saxon countries or to the title "Primo Ballerino" or "Prima Ballerina" in Italian.

The term of "étoile" had been used to designate the best soloists of the Paris Opera Ballet since the 19th century, but it was only in 1940 that the ballet master, Serge Lifar, decided to officialize the title at the top of the company's hierarchy. Unlike all lower ranks in the Ballet (Quadrille, Coryphée, Sujet, Premier Danseur), promotion to Étoile does not depend on success in the annual competitive examinations. Dancers have to perform in leading roles, sometimes for many years, before they can achieve the rank by nomination by the Director of the Paris Opera, on a proposal from the Directeur de la danse (the head of the Ballet), in recognition of outstanding excellence and merit.

There is no specific rule regarding the nomination. Étoiles are usually chosen among the Premiers Danseurs (the highest rank achievable through examinations), but exceptionally some dancers, such as Manuel Legris or Laurent Hilaire, have been promoted directly from the lower rank of Sujet. The nominations were initially made in an administrative setting, then later backstage with the curtain closed. They now take place at the end of a performance, with the curtain open.

The title is conferred for life and is therefore kept after retirement, which is set at a maximum age of 42, like for all other dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet. The maximum number of active Danseurs Étoiles within the company, originally limited to 4, has progressively increased over time and is nowadays set at 18.