Trained at the Opera School of Dance, Agnès Letestu joined in 1987 the company led by Rudolf Nureyev. The following year, she danced the Balanchine Prodigal Son’s courtesan role. She won the Eurovision Grand Prize for Young Dancers and was promoted “Sujet” in 1989. She went on winning the Gold Medal at the Varna Competition in 1990 and received the Arop Public Prize, as well as the Carpeaux Prize in 1991. “Première danseuse” in 1993, she was named “Étoile” at the end of the representation of Swan Lake on October 31, 1997. Privileged interpreter of the repertoire greatest roles: Giselle, Juliette, La Bayadère, Raymonda, Aurore, Kitri, Paquita, Cinderella … she also excels in the works of Balanchine, Carlson, Ek, Forsythe, Kylian, Lacotte, Li, Lifar, McGregor, Nureyev or Robbins. She made her official farewells at the Paris Opera on October 10, 2013 in Lady of the Camellias by Neumeier.

Alongside her dance career, Agnes Letestu designed costumes for José Martinez’s creations: Scaramouche, Mi Favorita, The Children of Paradise, Delibes suite, Parenthèse1 and Sonatas (for the Paris Opera and the National Dance Company of Madrid ). She also signed the costumes for Patrick De Bana’s creations at the Vienna State Opera notably Marie Antoinette and Windspiele, as well as Echoes of Eternity for the Shanghai Ballet.  She also designed costumes for Heinz Spoerli Goldberg’s Variations at the Opéra National du Rhin, the Celebration of Pierre Lacotte  for the Paris Opera as well as those of Rigoletto for Outdoor Operas.

Agnès Letestu is the principal performer for the Paris Opera official films of Paquita, Swan Lake, The Prodigal Son, Cinderella, Diamonds of Jewels and The Lady with Camellias, which are broadcast on television and on DVD. She is the subject of a 52-minute film “Regards sur une Etoile” and a 90-minute film by Marlène Ionesco “Agnès Letestu, a shinning Star “, and a 26-minute film by Jean -Marie David produced by the Mezzo channel “Agnès Letestu, a star with the sensibility of an actress”.

Agnès Letestu is Commander of Arts and Letters, Knight of the Legion of Honor and Officer of the National Order of Merit of France.

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