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Teatro alla Scala Visits Segerstrom Hall
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Sabrina Brazzo
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By Don Kolman
The Teatro alla Scala Ballet opened its visit to Southern California
Tuesday evening, July 10th, at the Orange County Performing Arts
Center's Segerstrom Hall. The Company presented a double program
including Amarcord and Carmen.
Amarcord, choreographed by Luciano Cannito, received its United States
premiere Tuesday evening before a highly enthusiastic opening night
crowd. Amarcord was inspired by the Federico Fellini film of the same
name. Choreographer Cannito has used music by Nino Rota and A.
Schnittke, G. Miller and M. Schiavoni.
Federico Fellini was daring and avant-garde in the 1960's but more than
a little dated and incomprehensible to American audiences in 2001. He may
be an icon in Italy, but he is remembered by an ever decreasing number of
cinema fans here in the United States. Without the program notes, the
vast majority of the audience would have been unable to follow the story
unfolding on the stage. The ballet, like the film, is set in pre-World
War II Rimini, Italy and is a collage of many of Fellini's feelings and
experiences from that time and place.
Amarcord, though definitely dance, is definitely not pure ballet. It
incorporates some ballet, some modern dance, and some popular ballroom
dance. At times, some of the steps seem to resemble aerobics more than
dance.
However, this company can dance like a major company should, which is
more than can be said for some companies we have recently seen here in
Southern California. The corps de ballet is wonderful to watch and
dances with precision and enthusiasm. Maurizio Licitra, who dances the
role of Titta, does so with verve, considerable elevation, and great
speed. He is a joy to behold. The four Fascists Damiano Pettenella,
Luigi Saruggia, Francesco Ventriglia, and Adrea Volpintesta are marvelous
dancers and riveting in their malevolent portrayals. Sabrina Brazzo as
Gradisca is just right. She dances with delicacy and conveys well a
feeling of being a hapless victim of circumstances. The boogie-woogie
dancers Monica Vaglietti and Partik Latronica are fun and particular
favorites with the audience. Massimo Murru is wonderfully demonic as
the German Officer. In their pas de deux, Miss Brazzo and Mr. Murru
convey the horrifying violence and perversion of the situation. They
are riveting.
Carmen, the second part of the double program, with choreography and
libretto by Roland Petit and music by Georges Bizet, is familiar to
Southern California audiences. It was presented here a number of years
ago by the Joffrey Ballet. The truth was and still is that some of
Petit's choreography is pointless and unattractive. If this ballet is
to work it must have a Carmen who is exotic, erotic, and sultry. Sorry
to say, but Viviana Durante is none of the above. She dances with
competence but is unable to convey the emotional energy required for
this role. Massimo Murru as Don Jose dances well but appears detached
and aloof. The partnership of Miss Durante and Mr. Murru lacks
chemistry. The corps de ballet dances with enthusiasm and makes all it
can out of Petit's choreography. There is very little fire and ice in
this production.
Teatro Alla Scala Ballet Company will be repeated: Amarcord and Carmen
Wednesday July 11th at 8:00 p.m. Giselle will be presented on Friday,
July 13 at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 14th at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.;
Sunday, July 15th at 2:00 p.m. at Segerstrom Hall, Orange County
Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. (714) 740-7878 or (213) 365- 3500 or www.ocpac.org. $20-$80.
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