"Long time no see, La Scala Ballet!" Zhang Xiaoding, general manager of the Shanghai Grand Theater, clapped his hands in welcome to old friends who came from afar.
La Scala Ballet can be called the "best spokesperson" for the Italian ballet school. In 2006, the dance company visited China for the first time and performed "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Shanghai Grand Theater. In 2018, the dance company returned to its old place and presented "Don Quixote". Now visiting for the third time, the dance troupe brought its most popular dance, "Giselle", which is known as the "Crown of Ballet".
From March 21st to 24th, La Scala Ballet will perform 4 performances of "Giselle". Last fall, the American Ballet Theater performed the same dance code on the same stage. "Why do they frequently invite "Giselle"? An important reason is that it is so beautiful!" Zhang Xiaoding said.
Manuel Legris (second from left), Nicoletta Manny, Timofey Andryashchenko
Prime star Nicoletta Manny and chief Timofey Andrea Shenke
Italy's antique-level dance company
"Giselle" represents the rise of romantic ballet. It premiered at the Paris Opera House in 1841, choreographed by Coralli and Perrault, and composed by Adolf Adam.
This two-act dance drama interweaves reality and the underworld. It tells the love tragedy of a peasant girl Giselle and an aristocratic young man Albert. It places extremely high demands on the dancers' dancing and acting skills. Giselle is a "touchstone" to test whether a ballerina can become a world-class dancer.
To play Giselle well, dancers face a double test of acting skills and dance skills at the same time: Giselle in the first act is a peasant girl, innocent and lively, and her foot movements must be nimble and brisk; in the second act, Giselle turns into a ghost , sad and sad, the movements of the arms should have a slender and soft beauty, and the movements of the feet should not only be quick and light, but also land silently.
With a history of more than 200 years, La Scala Ballet is an "antique" Italian dance company and has an indissoluble bond with "Giselle". When "Giselle" premiered in Paris in 1841, Carlotta Grisi, who played the heroine Giselle, graduated from the La Scala Ballet School.
The "Giselle" performed in Shanghai this time is a re-arranged version by French ballet superstar Yvette Chauveret. She is also an excellent actress as Giselle. In 1950, Chauveret adapted "Giselle" on the basis of retaining the essence of Coralli and Perrault's choreography. In the following decades, this version of "Giselle" has been in Scala's repertoire.
Stills of "Giselle", ghost group dance
Stills of "Giselle", Giselle incarnate as a ghost and Mirda, the ghost king
Celebrity couple with tacit understanding
Not long ago, Scala just finished performing "Pirates" at the Hong Kong Arts Festival ", after moving to Shanghai, the dance company chose a different dance code "Giselle" from that in Hong Kong.
"This dance drama is very special. Although the story is the same, you can perform it at the age of 20 and you can perform it at the age of 40. When the dancers put their life experiences into it, their mood is different." Artistic Director Manuel Legault Reese said that the dance company is accompanied by 72 dancers and has sent three groups of starring lineups, each group will bring a different experience.
Nicoletta Manny and Timofey Andryashenko, who played the leading roles in the first night's performance, are the "star couple" of the dance company, with their own emotional support and special understanding. In 2018, when the dance troupe performed "Don Quixote" in Shanghai, the two were still a "couple".
Manny, who has a sweet smile, entered La Scala in 2013 and was promoted to principal the following year. At a young age, he has starred in many major dramas and is very popular in the dance company. "Giselle is to every female dancer , are all coveted.”
“Albert was the first protagonist in my life. Later, I had the opportunity to perform every year and grew up with this character.” Interestingly, this is also the role that Andriyashenko and Manny's first dance drama with him. Having been on stage for many years, the two have now become a couple.
What was the difference in playing the same role before and after you got married? "After getting married, I haven't played Albert yet. Maybe I can tell you the answer tomorrow night."Andriyashenko said with a smile. "Me too! Tomorrow night is our first performance of "Giselle" together since we got married. "Manny said with a smile.
In the first half, Gisele and Albert, Nicoletta Manny and Timofey Andriyashenko performed on the same stage.
In the second half, Gisele and Albert, Nicoletta Manny and Timofey Andriyashenko performed on the same stage
The Walking Ballet Encyclopedia
“This is a sad story, but also a living story. Talking about "Giselle", artistic director Le Gris said, "As soon as the curtain opens, the magic is ignited, and you will walk into a beautiful dream." "
Le Gris has worked at the Paris Opera for 30 years and is the idol of many ballet lovers. In 2014 and 2016, he came to the Shanghai Grand Theater twice to participate in the ballet star gala.
As a dancer, He has performed in almost all classic dance dramas and is also keen to challenge modern works. "He has a keen eye, a forward-looking vision, and his perception and judgment are as precise as a surgeon's scalpel... He is the best dancer in the world." ""Le Figaro" commented.
At the end of 2020, Le Gris was appointed as the artistic director of La Scala, turning from a dancer to a leader.
"He is like a walking ballet encyclopedia, knowing everything, Any questions will be answered. " Andriyashenko said. Manny described Legris, who was always busy with everything, as having a big heart and a clear head, and as a reassurance for the dance company. "He spent time with us day and night, without any reservation, and taught everything he had to offer. Ensure that the dance company sails on the right track. "
"My mentor Nureyev also taught me without reservation. Dancers must be open-minded, because they shoulder the burden of inheritance and must not only think about themselves, but also the future of the dance company. After taking office, Legris injected fresh changes into La Scala, which has a history of more than 200 years. "I have the responsibility to let the dance company produce new works, but I cannot deny the past right from the beginning, but must take care of the past." Innovation. "
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