Scuola Di Ballo Del Teatro Alla Scala
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La Scala Theatre Ballet School () is one of the leading
classical ballet Classical ballet is any of the traditional, formal styles of ballet that exclusively employ classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as en pointe, pointe work, turnout (ballet), turnout of the legs, ...
schools in the world and is the associate school of
La Scala Theatre Ballet The La Scala Theatre Ballet () is the resident classical ballet company at La Scala in Milan, Italy. One of the oldest and most renowned ballet companies in the world, the company pre-dates the theatre, but was officially founded at the inaugura ...
, an international ballet company based at
La Scala La Scala (, , ; officially , ) is a historic opera house in Milan, Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as (, which previously was Santa Maria della Scala, Milan, a church). The premiere performa ...
in
Milan Milan ( , , ; ) is a city in northern Italy, regional capital of Lombardy, the largest city in Italy by urban area and the List of cities in Italy, second-most-populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of nea ...
,
Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
. The school forms part of the theatre's Academy for Performing Arts.


History

The ballet school was founded in 1813 by Benedetto Ricci, as the ''Accademia di ballo'' (dance academy) of the ''Teatro alla Scala''. Following the defeat of
Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...
, the school's name was changed to ''Imperial Regia Accademia di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala'' (Royal Imperial Dance Academy of the Teatro alla Scala). For many years after its foundation the school offered two courses, of the total duration of eight years; the first consisted in apprenticeship, the second of specialization studies. The classes were accompanied by a violinist. Many famous dancers have been directors of the school. Among them, the famous Carlo Blasis, who joined the school in 1838 and directed it for 15 years, and the Italian ''ballerina'' Caterina Beretta, who was the school director from 1905 to 1908. Because of the first world War, the school was closed down in 1917; it was later reopened (in 1921) thanks to the interest of
Arturo Toscanini Arturo Toscanini (; ; March 25, 1867January 16, 1957) was an Italian conductor. He was one of the most acclaimed and influential musicians of the late 19th and early 20th century, renowned for his intensity, his perfectionism, his ear for orche ...
. The famous Russian ballet dancer Olga Preobrajenska was appointed as the new school director. Enrico Cecchetti was director of the school until his death on November 13, 1928. He died whilst teaching. Following his recommendation, Cia Fornaroli, ''grande prima ballerina'' of the Theatre La Scala, was appointed as the school new director. She directed the school until 1932, when Ettorina Mazzucchelli took her place as the school director. Esmée Bulnes directed the school until 1967, followed by Elide Bonagiunta (until 1972). The next school director was John Field, former director of the Royal Ballet of London and former director of the '' Corpo di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala'' (the Theater's resident company). John Field left the school in July 1974; his place was taken by Anna Maria Prina, former student of the school and then soloist of the ''Corpo di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala''. Current director of the dance department of the academy is Frédéric Olivieri. In 1998 the school was moved to a new dedicated building, in ''via Campo Lodigiano''.


Dance curriculum

The school typically accepts students 8 years old and older. From 1999, the school also offers predance classes to children aged between six and ten. In the same year, the school has introduced modern and
contemporary Contemporary history, in English-language historiography, is a subset of modern history that describes the historical period from about 1945 to the present. In the social sciences, contemporary history is also continuous with, and related t ...
dance classes, in addition to the more traditional
classical ballet Classical ballet is any of the traditional, formal styles of ballet that exclusively employ classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as en pointe, pointe work, turnout (ballet), turnout of the legs, ...
classes. Students are evaluated in both disciplines (classical ballet and contemporary ballet) in order to achieve the ''Diploma'' awarded by the school. The school is now organized in two parts: in the first, which lasts five years, the students follow classes common to the two specializations; in the second, which lasts three years, the students choose a specialization (classical or modern dance). The method currently taught at the school is based on the Italian method; the Russian, French and English ballet methods are also taught as part of the pupils' curricula. Recently, the school has also started classes of American style and technique. The curriculum includes ballet technique, ''pointe'' classes, ''pas de deux'' and classical repertoire. The students also learn contemporary and modern technique (Limon, Graham and Cunningham techniques). Many of the school pupils also participate to production held at the ''Teatro alla Scala'' with the Corpo di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala, the theater's resident company. All students also attend regular school classes, organized for them by the city of Milan.


Faculty

At this date, the faculty is composed of: Loreta Alexandrescu, Amelia Colombini, Vera Karpenko, Tatiana Nikonova, Leonid Nikonov, Paolo Podini. The classes of modern/contemporary dance are taught by Emanuela Tagliavia. Girls' repertoire classes are currently taught by Vera Karpernko and Amelia Colombini; the male classes and ''pas de deux'' are taught by Leonid Nikonov and Paolo Podini. Character dance is taught by Loreta Alexandrescu, and Spanish dance by Franca Roberto. The students also attend history of dance and history of ballet classes (Francesca Pedroni). Music classes are taught by Fabio Sartorelli and Alessandro Pontremoli.


Famous school graduates

Many of the school students have achieved international fame. Among them:
Attilia Radice Attilia Radice (1914–1980) was an Italian ballerina at La Scala in Milan. She is remembered above all for the roles she created at the Rome Opera. Biography Radice studied ballet at the La Scala Theatre Ballet School under Enrico Cecchetti unt ...
,
Giuseppina Morlacchi Giuseppina Antonia "Josephine" Morlacchi Omohundro (October 8, 1836 – July 23, 1886) was an Italian American ballerina, dancer, and actress. She introduced the can-can to the American stage. Biography Morlacchi was born in Milan in 1836 and ...
, Teresa Legnani, Cia Fornaroli, Ettorina Mazzucchelli, Nives Poli, Edda Martignoni, Bianca Gallizia, Giuliana Penzi and Elide Bonagiunta. In more recent times, famous dancers who have studied at the school are: Carla Fracci, Luciana Savignano, Liliana Cosi, Oriella Dorella, Paola Cantalupo, Marco Pierin, Massimo Murru, Carlotta Zamparo,
Sabrina Brazzo Sabrina Brazzo (born 1 January 1968) is an Italian ballet dancer. A principal dancer with La Scala in Milan, she has performed in many of the world's most prestigious ballet theatres. Biography Born in Portogruaro in north-eastern Italy, Brazzo gr ...
, Gilda Gelati, Marta Romagna,
Roberto Bolle Roberto Bolle (born 26 March 1975) is an Italian danseur. He is a principal dancer ''étoile'' at La Scala Theatre Ballet. Bolle also dances regularly as a guest artist with the world’s leading companies, including The Royal Ballet, the Ma ...
, and Alessio Carbone. Many other dancers have started their dance instruction at the school, such as the famous ''ballerina''
Alessandra Ferri Alessandra Ferri OMRI (born 6 May 1963) is an Italian prima ballerina. She danced with the Royal Ballet (1980–1984), American Ballet Theatre (1985–2007) and La Scala Theatre Ballet (1992–2007) and as an international guest artist, before ...
.


References


Teatro alla Scala official website

Scuola di Ballo official website


External links


Web Site of the ''Accademia''
{{Ballet schools Ballet schools La Scala Theatre Ballet 1813 establishments in Italy