At the end of his teenage years, José Montalvo began studying history of art and plastic arts. He was fascinated by the Dada period and its countless inventions. Whilst continuing his university studies, he took dance classes with Jerome Andrews and Françoise and Dominique Dupuy – and joined their company, the Ballets Modernes de Paris – and continued his dance training with Carolyn Carlson, Lucinda Childs, Alwin Nikolais and Merce Cunningham.

José Montalvo's first creations were short fun-filled pieces, types of choreographic aphorisms, mini danced novels filled with emotions, for which he was honoured with a variety of international awards. One of his performers was called Dominique Hervieu: it was the beginning of an artistic adventure and profound complicity that would result in the creation of the compagnie Montalvo-Hervieu in 1988. In 1989, José Montalvo moved on to an innovational path with the creation of “in situ” events: Dances to see and to dance. In July 1993, invited to the Paris Quartier d'été Festival, he was one of the first choreographers to be associated with the Bal Moderne which was created at the Théâtre National de Chaillot at this time.

Another decisive moment the same year: “Double Trouble”, created with the complicity of the video artist Michel Coste, inaugurated a cycle of works where technological images and the physical presence of dancers were confronted with each other. This period led to the creation of a series of works that intertwine with each other and that, whilst being self-sufficient, could, one day, be applied together, like a great baroque-style fresco. This led to great success. In 1998, José Montalvo and Dominique Hervieu were appointed as directors of the Centre chorégraphique national (National Choreographic Centre) in Creteil, Val de Marne. In 2000, José Montalvo was also appointed as dance director of the Théâtre National de Chaillot which was then directed by Ariel Goldenberg.

In 2001, “Le Jardin io io ito ito” was awarded the Laurence Olivier Prize. In 2004, the choreography and the production of Jean-Philippe Rameau's opera “Les Paladins” won unanimous critical acclaim. The performance was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Prize and obtained the prize for the best live recording of an opera for the film produced by François Roussillon. It was also shown in Shanghai, Athens, Paris and Tokyo. Next followed “On danse”(2005) and a diptych devoted to George Gershwin in 2008, with a production of “Porgy and Bess”for the Opéra de Lyon and, echoing this, a luminous choreographic work created for the Biennale de la danse in Lyon: “Good Morning, Mr. Gershwin”.

In 2006, he was awarded the SACD Prize for all of his works. In June 2008, José Montalvo and Dominique Hervieu accepted the proposal to direct the Théâtre National de Chaillot. “Orphée” and “Lalala Gershwin” were created in 2010 and sealed their last joint creations before Dominique Hervieu left to become director of the Maison de la Danse and the Biennale de la danse in Lyon. José Montalvo continues his missions at the Théâtre National de Chaillot alongside Didier Deschamps, around his own creations and privileges events that contribute to renewing the relationship of the theatre with the public. In June 2013, he will be, in particular, the creator and coordinator of an event focusing on amateur activities.

Sources:  Théâtre National de Chaillot ; Maison de la Danse show program

Artistic Direction: José Montalvo, Dominique Hervieu

Creation: 1988

In 1981, José Montalvo – choreographer – met Dominique Hervieu – dancer – and began to choreograph short playful pieces, kinds of choreographic aphorisms, of which she is the principal performer. They devised a characteristic form of movement together, built of fluidity, rapidity and precision, which was to lend a distinctive style to their productions. 1986-1988: José Montalvo's choreographies won several international awards, all performed by Dominique Hervieu. This was the beginning of an artistic adventure and a deep understanding, which led to the founding of the Compagnie Montalvo-Hervieu in 1988. In 1993, they created “Double Trouble”, an inaugural piece, in which the technological image and the physical presence of the dancers' bodies are set against each other. So it was that the two partners embarked upon the production of a set of works that, while autonomous, might one day be understood as a whole, like some huge baroque fresco. With “Paradis” (1997) and “Le jardin io io ito ito” (1999), the originality of their approach was praised and rewarded the world over. José Montalvo and Dominque Hervieu have also choreographed for the étoiles of the Paris Opéra and the opening of the 53rd Cannes International Film Festival.  Alongside their choreographic work on new pieces, in 1989 they began devising in-situ community events. In June 1998, they were appointed directors of the Centre Chorégraphique National de Créteil et du Val-de-Marne. In June 2000, José Montalvo and Dominique Hervieu were nominated respectively Dance Director and Director of Young Audience Mission and Outreach Projects at the Théâtre National, Chaillot. They have also been awarded the distinction of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. Since 2002 Dominique Hervieu has co-written the company's shows with José Montalvo. In May 2004, they choreographed and directed Jean-Philippe Rameau's opera “Les Paladins”, under the musical direction of William Christie. In November 2004 they devised a choreographic trail at the Louvre museum. In January 2005 they composed “On Danƒe”, and adapted this for young audiences under the title “La Bossa Fataka De Rameau”. In 2006 Dominique Hervieu produced a set of interactive teaching DVDs dealing with cultural diversity. In 2008, they created « Porgy and Bess » at the Opera de Lyon and « Good Morning, Mr. Gershwin ». The same year, the French Ministry of Culture appointed them directors of the Théâtre National, Chaillot, which became a venue exclusively dedicated to choreographic art.

Sources: Maison de la danse show program ; "Panorama de la danse" (Rosita Boisseau); Théâtre National de Chaillot 's website