Positano rewards the art of dance

Under the illuminated sky of the “pearl of the coast”, everything is ready for the 51st Leonid Massine Positano Dance Awards, the oldest of its kind in Italy, which will take place on Saturday, September 2, at the Spiaggia Grande. This is an unmissable event for enthusiasts, tourists and insiders aspiring to win the prestigious international award, named this year Classic and Modern, Magic Under the Stars. The award, funded and organized by the municipality of Positano and directed by Laura Valente since 2016, which this year again on a stage set a stone’s throw from the sea, will be attended by artists who have distinguished themselves in the world this last season. in turn. Leonid Myasin presents the Life for Dance Award of Excellence to international star Luciana Savignano, a dancer who has always strived for modernity.

The famous “muse” of Maurice Béjart, beloved by the public and international critics, Savignano, from the 2024 edition, will become the godmother of the Prize, whose role in the past was played exclusively by Carla Fracci. For the first time, the special prize of the municipality of Positano “for the versatility and versatility of his career” goes to the Frenchman Benjamin Millepied, first a dancer and then a choreographer, head of the prestigious corps de ballet of the Paris Opera, a recognized star also on the big screen thanks to his choreography for Darren Aronofsky’s “The Black Swan”, which brought the “Oscar” to the main character Natalie Portman, who became his wife.

In addition to the two stars of the global dance firmament, other stars from the world’s biggest companies will be awarded, starting with 2023 dancers Ludmila Pagliero and Guillaume Diop Ballet de l’Opéra National de Paris Sarah Lamb. and Stephen McRae of the Royal Ballet of London, Anastasia Gurska, Ballet of the National Opera of Ukraine, Mario Galindo Monterrubio of the National Dance Company of Spain, Emily Suzuki and Fernando Carratala Coloma of the English National Ballet, Emma Riis-Kofoyed and Ryan Tomas of the Royal Danish Ballet, Clyde Emmanuel Archer from the Royal Swedish Ballet, the LEV dance company, Danilo Notaro and Anna Chiara Amirante from the San Carlo Ballet Company, as well as a couple on stage and in life, consisting of Nicoletta Manni and Timofei Andrianshenko from the La Scala Ballet Company.

In addition to many quality dances, this year the artistic director Laura Valente again wanted to expand the artistic and cultural horizons of “her” Massine with the Luca Vespoli Prize for the dissemination, support and promotion of the arts, awarded to Bertrand du Vigno de. Villefort. A descendant of the great artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Bertrand du Vigneault is a patron and art historian. Passionate about dance, for many years he has been supporting independent troupes made up of many Italian dancers living abroad. But that is not all. Valente’s hand becomes even more energetic, supplying Leonid Myasin’s Positano with a real scientific council, consisting of directors of international companies and festivals.

This year, the Board included Artistic Director of the American Ballet Theater Susan Jaffe, Artistic Director of the National Dance Company Joaquin De Luz, Director of the San Carlo Ballet Clotilde Vayer, world-famous trainer Ana Laguna. , dance director of the Paris National Opera José Carlos Martinez and Laura Valente herself, namely as Artistic Director of the Massine Prize. Two novelties stand out among the multitude of international names: first, the nomination for honorary president of the Prize accepted by Ballet2000 director Alfio Agostini, historical and firm head of the journalistic jury, a role previously held only by Alberto. Testa. Secondly, the appointment of coordinator in the composition of the artistic direction is Alessio Carbone, an artist who has won the Prize several times during his career.

Clu evening, gala concert of the winners. Marcia Lamberti brings to life the brightest titles from the classical and contemporary repertoire, starting with Mauro de Candia’s Suspended Aria, interpreted by Anna Chiara Amirante and Danilo Notaro. This is followed by Nicoletta Munni and Timofei Andriyashenko with “Caravaggio” by Mauro Bigonzetti, then “Giselle” by Jean Coralli – Jules Perrot interpreted by Emily Suzuki and Fernando Coloma, Anastasia Khurska and Mario Galindo Monterrubio. Another famous work is undoubtedly Mars Eck’s Juliet and Romeo, which, however, will feature Mercutio solo by Clyde Emmanuel Archer. Benjamin Millepied’s award-winning Moonlight will instead be choreographed by Caroline Osmond and Florent Melac, while Ludmila Pagliero and Guillaume Diop will choreograph Hans Van Manen’s The Three Gnosiens. The space reserved for the famous solo in Michel Fokine’s The Dying Swan could only be left to the dancer Sarah Lamb, just as in George Balanchine’s repertoire of the pas de duet “Diamonds” from Jewels, interpreted by Emma Riis-Kofoyed and Ryan Tomas before commentary with “Czardas” and with Steve McRae.