In 2009 Anne Deniau published a photo-bio in book form of Nicolas le Riche, whose dance career at Paris Opera Ballet has mirrored that of
Aurélie Dupont, featured earlier this week. Le Riche too entered the company's rigorous school at age ten and was recruited for the corps as a professional at sixteen, thereafter rising with seemingly inevitable momentum to the rank of étoile.
One year older than Dupont, Nicolas le Riche faces mandatory retirement in 2014. His farewell performance at Paris Opera Ballet has already been scheduled.
Final image (by Jacques Moatti) was taken only a couple of weeks ago in London during a Paris Opera Ballet festival appearance. Le Riche, now 41, danced the lead in
Le Jeune Homme et la Mort, reportedly one of his favorite roles, originally choreographed by Roland Petit in 1946.
