In the Company of Stars: The Paris Opera Ballet [Hardcover]

Gerard Uferas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 4, 2007

Gerard Uferas spent a year with the Paris Opera Ballet family, and his photographs lead readers into the private world of the Opera Garnier, Paris’s landmark opera house. He took his camera backstage, into the wings, the practice halls named after the great figures in the history of ballet, and the ornate neo-Baroque foyer where the dancers gather to warm up before each performance. His images retrace the constant work, sometimes trying, often exhilarating, that fills the days at the ballet, revealing the concentration that precedes a dancer’s entrance on to the stage, the poise and gestures, the moments of exertion and of rest. Uferas reveals the secrets of a usually cloistered world, documenting the toil, the dedication, and the months of preparation that culminate in moments of breathtaking beauty on the stage. By capturing forever the ephemeral art of the dance, the photographer has created an enduring homage to the otherwise fleeting professional lives of the dancers. The result is an art that transcends both dance and photography; a unique partnership with its own exquisite choreography.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Books of Lasting Value By Marian Horosko

For sheer beauty, "In the Company of Stars," a book of 125 photo gems, by Gerard Uferas, is a collector's dream. He is the recipient of many awards and his work has appeared in European collections and galleries. He sees movement in a spontaneous reaction to the emotions, concentration and restful moments of his subjects. All the delicacy and elegance of the French school in the artists of the BAllet de Opera de Paris backstage, onstage, in the wings, in rehearsal and on tour in Japan have been brought together as a tapestry of the company's repertoire since 2003. He has a painter's eye, not a sport journalist's "right moment" reaction. His photos are composed , balanced. Uferas is also part choreographer as he seems to dance, delight and become engaged in the commitment of his subjects. ... The book may be ordered directly from the publisher, Flammarion, 87, quai Panhard et Levassor, 76457 Paris Cedex 13. -- Dancer Magazine October 2007

About the Author

Gerard Uferas contributes regularly to many newspapers and magazines, such as Time and The New York Times. He was one of the founding members of Agence Vu before joining Agence Rapho in 1993. Uferas has received several prizes for his work, which is featured at the Maison Européene de la Photographie in Paris, the National Gallery in London, and museums and galleries around the world.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Flammarion (September 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2080300008
• ISBN-13: 978-2080300003
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 0.9 x 13 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,429,139 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The pictures didn't really jump off the page..., September 18, 2007

By 

Anonymous (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Company of Stars: The Paris Opera Ballet (Hardcover)

I'd seen a documentary about the Paris Opera Ballet dancers, and I eagerly anticipated flipping through this book. I was expecting more photographs of the dancers actually dancing, as opposed to shots of people talking, etc. To be fair, this was touted as a "behind the scenes" look, not a compilation of performance photographs. But what enthralls me about these dancers is the amazing things they do; I'm not as riveted by them just standing still. I ended up returning the book, unfortunately. It was also oversized, so (even though it's meant to be more of a coffee-table book) it didn't fit on my bookshelf. Others may like the broader selection of pictures, but I was really hoping for more beautiful shots of dancers in motion.