Paul Irmatov

Biography

Paul Irmatov is an exceptionally gifted artist known for his brilliant technique and self-confidence, particularly in classical variations and roles. He dazzles audiences with the profound beauty, poetry, and tenacity of his performances. A dancer of Russian origin, Paul grew up and studied in Germany. He received his initial dance education from his parents, Igor and Elvira Irmatov. After graduating from the Ballett-Akademie in Munich with Kirill Melnikov and under the tutelage of Jan Broeckx, he joined the Czech National Ballet in 2018. In April 2021, he was promoted to demi-soloist. Following his remarkable portrayal of the title role in Romeo and Juliet by John Cranko, Paul was immediately promoted to First Soloist after the Czech premiere in February 2022. In 2023, Paul was awarded the Director’s Prize for artists under 35 for his performances with the Czech National Ballet.

Paul has excelled in numerous leading roles, including Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (John Cranko), Lensky in Onegin (John Cranko), Prince Desire and Bluebird in The Sleeping Beauty (Márcia Haydée), Colas in La Fille mal gardée (Frederick Ashton), Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire (John Neumeier), and James in La Sylphide (Johan Kobborg). His modern repertoire includes the Chosen Boy in Rite of Spring (Glen Tetley), The Second Detail (William Forsythe), Moving Rooms (Krzysztof Pastor), and Fly Paper Bird (Marco Goecke).

Paul has also danced prominent solo roles, including the Waltz and Russian Dance in The Nutcracker – A Christmas Carol (Youri Vámos), the Golden Buddha in La Bayadère (Javier Torres), and Benno in Swan Lake (John Cranko). He has made notable appearances in neoclassical ballets such as Psalm Symphony, Petit Mort, and Bella Figura (Jiří Kylián), as well as in Puppet (Douglas Lee).

In addition, Paul portrayed King Shahryar in Sheherazade by Mauro Bigonzetti, and has performed the roles of Lescaut and Des Grieux in the Czech premiere of L’Histoire de Manon by Kenneth MacMillan in 2025.

Critical Acclaim

• “Paul Irmatov's James and Alina Nanu's Sylph were superlative. Irmatov's first solo was explosive. His opening jumps propelled him so high into the air, it was as if someone had pressed the eject button. He kept up this momentum throughout the performance but always within the constraints of the music.” — Weiss, D. (2025, March 20). Pure Bournonville bounce: Johan Kobborg’s La Sylphide in Prague. Bachtrack. Read more

• “Paul Irmatov... was among some of the best over the two nights... his virtuosity was impressive.” — Weiss, D. (2025, March 20). Beyond Vibrations: Czech National Ballet is electrifying. Bachtrack. Read more

• “Irrepressibly animated and full of vitality, they [Fujii and Irmatov] proved to be a winning combination... a polished and engaging performance.” — Weiss, D. (2025, March 20). Czech National Ballet in Muscat: La Fille mal gardée is an instant hit!. Bachtrack. Read more

• “Irmatov's virtuosity was impressive... his wickedness in the role was a tough sell, but his performance was fresh and energetic.” — Watts, G. (2025, March 20). Czech National Ballet’s Scheherazade: a fresh take on an old tale. Bachtrack. Read more

• “Lescaut was performed artfully by Paul Irmatov... impressively breaking the desk in Des Grieux’s lodgings... his forte came when giving a dignified portrayal as Des Grieux in a later performance.” — Watts, G. (2025, March 20). L’Histoire de Manon: MacMillan’s great ballet comes to Prague. Bachtrack. Read more

Repertoire

Classical Roles:

• Romeo in Romeo and Juliet by John Cranko
• Lensky in Onegin by John Cranko
• Prince Desire and Bluebird in The Sleeping Beauty by Márcia Haydée
• Colas in La Fille mal gardée (Frederick Ashton)
• Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire by John Neumeier
• James in La Sylphide by Johan Kobborg
• Waltz and Russian Dance in The Nutcracker – A Christmas Carol by Youri Vámos
• Golden Buddha in La Bayadère by Javier Torres
• Benno in Swan Lake by John Cranko
• King Shahryar in Sheherazade by Mauro Bigonzetti

Contemporary Repertoire:

• Aspects / Vertigo (Couples in Aspects)
• Ballet Gala (Firebreather)
• Beyond Vibrations (Fly Paper Bird)
• Beyond Vibrations (Moving Rooms)
• BPM (Bohemian Gravity)
• BPM (Bill)
• Brel – Vysockij – Kryl (Solo for Three)
• Forsythe/Clug/McGregor (Eden)
• Forsythe/Clug/McGregor (The Second Detail)
• Kafka: The Trial (Painter)
• Kylián – Bridges of Time (Psalm Symphony)
• Kylián – Bridges of Time (Petit Mort)
• Kylián – Bridges of Time (Gods and Dogs)
• Kylián – Bridges of Time (Bella Figura)
• Leonce & Lena (Valerio)
• Phoenix (Puppet)
• Timeless (The Chosen One)
• A Streetcar Named Desire (Stanley Kowalski, Stella’s Husband)

Neoclassical Repertoire:

• L’Histoire de Manon by Kenneth MacMillan (Lescaut, Des Grieux)