Emanuela Beretta
Bayadère, is one of the most popular ballets in the classical repertoire that is being revived at the La Scala Theatre in Rudolf Nureyev's version, but taken from Marius Petipa's choreography, where one can see the careful supervision of Manuel Legris who has transformed a classical ballet into an extraordinarily flamboyant work. The spectacular sets and costumes are by Luisa Spinatelli on the always exciting Kevin Rhodes podium.
The story tells of an India intertwined with drama, intrigue and romance.
Solor, the warrior, is in love with the dancer Nikiya to whom he swears eternal love, but the Rajah offers Solor his daughter Gamzatti. Nikiya, the bayadera, is also loved by the Brahmin who informs Gamzatti of the affair between Solor and the dancer. During the betrothal feast, at the Rajah's suggestion, the servant Aya gives the bayadera a basket of flowers that conceals a poisonous snake that bites Nikiya. The Brahmin proposes to save her with an antidote, but she refuses and dances to her death. Solor in pain smokes opium from a hookah and falls asleep, finding himself in the Kingdom of Shadows where he finds his beloved Nikiya.
Photos Brescia Amisano and mgp_photographer
The performers are our étoile Nicoletta Manni who is sensational, graceful but intense with a suave expressiveness and full of emotion, truly stupendous. Timofej Andrijashenko, bravo, holds the entirety of the performance with poise and mastery.
The golden idol, a cameo by Mattia Semperboni, is superlative. All in all, everyone does very well with a heart-wrenching Kingdom of Shadows.
Open ovations and endless applause.
Photo mgp_photographer
