Iain Mackay (principal at Birmingham Royal Ballet) is joining Angel Corella's Ballet de Espana as a principal dancer.


http://www.brb.org.uk/4441.html


Is there any other news of company members yet?

Yes, former National Ballet of Cuba's Ms. Adyaris Almeida,ex Cincinnatti Ballet Principal and current Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami Principal (recently performed in their Swan Lake in Miami), is also on the move. I personally talked to her about it, and she was very excited. Here's a link to her page:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea...endID=109388074

CarolinaM, Grissi, 4mrdncr, and others who've posted on this new company: any further news? It's probably time to update our information and renew our enthusiasm.

The excellent ballet/dance webtsite, FOTOESCENA often has news about this -- as well as many other -- Spanish dance projects. There's a good English translation for most parts of the website.

According to Joseph Gatti's myspace page (linked from Adyaris's--they are a couple), he's dancing there as well.

Here's an interesting article related to their departure from CB.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../ENT/802150311/

I am glad BT and others are still interested in the Ballet de Espana, and will try to post more. Thank you Cristian for the link re: Adiarys Almeida and Joseph Gatti. But let me say the Cincinatti Enquirer article's author is wrong about one thing: The FULL Ballet de Espana may not be performing until its debut at the Teatro Real in Madrid September 4-10, BUT a smaller version of the Company has been touring Spain for some months now; most recently in Tenerife, Malaga, Barcelona, Segovia, Bilbao etc.etc.. Most performances have been sold out and very warmly received. Between dancing with, and overseeing, his Company; guesting at the Mariinsky; performing with ABT in Chicago, and soon the Met season, Angel Corella is quite busy.

Are the tickets on sale for Madrid yet?

Hi!

I’m also glad you are still interested in Ballet de España! The full company has started rehearsing and we hope a presentation to the media will be made soon.

According to what was said in this article:

http://www.brb.org.uk/4351.html

one can guess that Lain Mackay and Silvia Jiménez who are leaving Birmingham Ballet to go to Madrid, have joined Angel Corella’s Company as well.

As far as tickets for the Teatro Real: no, it is not possible to purchase tickets yet. Usualy in June-July season tickets are on sale and separate tickets are always available 15 days before the premiere, at 10:00 a.m.

The Teatro Real web site informing about the purchase of tickets is the following:

http://www.teatro-real.com/Information%20a...%20on%20tickets

and to finish: Many thanks Bart for your kind words about our web magazine!

Any new we would know, any report we would publish I’ll keep BalletTalk posted about

FYI: Susan Jones has just spent a week setting "La Bayadere" for Angel Corella's new company. Angel's prodigious memory & technique did the rest. Ms. Jones is expected to return later this summer to fine-tune, and Makarova, herself, immediately before the debut performances in September at the Teatro Real in Madrid. Yes, Iain Mackay is there. Joseph Gatti and Adiarys Almeida should be arriving shortly. The Company is very nearly at full strength; enthusiastic, disciplined, and determined. I stand in awe of what Angel Corella has accomplished already, and the energy and focus necessary to perform nearly full-time at ABT and elsewhere, and still oversee the continued growth of his Company.

According to the Gran Teatre del Liceu (Barcelona) season schedule ad in the June 2008 issues of Opera News (p.9), Angel Corella Ballet is performing at the theater 9-11 July 2009.

The "Corella Ballet" as how it seems it will be named, has sent a Press Release that we have published in fotoescena (just scroll down to see it).

I hope it is allowed to link the topic on the forum for you to see the photographs and for those understanding a bit Spanish to be able to read.

We are very exicited about and look forward to already see the Company debut at La Granja in July 11 & 12 with “Clear ” of Staton Welch; “Bruch Violín Concerto nº 1” of Clark Tippet and “In the Upper Room” of Twyla Tharp.

There is an interesting article in the June issue of Dancie Europe on Ballet de España.

I wonder what happened to the name "Ballet de Espana." Is "Corella Ballet" a temporary title? Or one likely to be with us for a while?

Here's a brief (and rough) translation of some of the press release very kindly linked by CarolinaM and Fotoescena:

Well, it seems that the name will be "Corella Ballet".

Thanks for this so good translation Bart, I can add that the official premiere of "Corella Ballet" will be with La Bayadere (Natalia Makarova) at the Teatro Real in Madrid, in September 4, 2008. Although already on July 11 and 12, the "Corella Ballet" will perform at La Granja (Segovia) where the Company is set. The program will be “Clear ” of Stanton Welch; “Bruch Violín Concerto nº 1”, of Clark Tippet and “In the Upper Room”, of Twyla Tharp.

If I get the whole press release in English I’ll post it here.

Any chance to meet anyone of you in Spain in short? This would for sure be and excellent opportunity to pay us a visit. Remember that the Company is also scheduled at "El Gran Teatre del Liceu" in Barcelona July 2009

Carolina, Is there a list of the dancers of the Corella ballet? Thanks

"Corella Ballet" is the official name of the Company for now. The name change is due to a request (requirement?) of a principal funder of the Company, as are the performances in La Granja. The official Company debut is still the "La Bayadere" performances in Madrid at the Teatro Real in September 2008. Besides Barcelona, the Company will be performing in many other cities in Spain, but the full tour and dates have not been decided yet. There is a roster of dancers, but it hasn't been published yet. Once Angel's (and his Foundation & Company) website is revised, it will be posted there. Please remember, Angel and his Company are extremely busy now, so please be patient.

I remember seeing a list of countries that dancers hail from, but I don't think I ever saw a list of dancers names.

Hopefully it won't be long now - I've been patient, but it's been such a long time now since those auditions!


m2

Hi m2!

Here it is the list of current dancers of the Corella Ballet forwarded by the press department of the company:

'CORELLA BALLET' LIST of DANCERS

PRINCIPALS

1 Ángel Corella (Español)
2 Heman Cornejo (Argentino)
3 Ian Mackey (Inglés)
4 Carmen Corella (Español)
5 Adiarys Almeida (Cubana)
6 Natalia Tapia (Española)


1st SOLOISTS

1 Kazuko Omori (Japonesa)
2 Matthew Golding (Canadiense)


SOLOISTS

1 Ashley Ellis (Americana)
2 Joseph Gatti (Americano)
3 Radev Kirill (Ruso)


CORPS

Boys

1 Ion Agirretxe Iglesias (Español)
2 Roberto Sánchez González (Español)
3 Ivan Sánchez González (Español)
4 Daniel Fajardo Villares (Español)
5 Russell Ducker (Inglés)
6 Toby Mallitt (Ingleé)
7 Zambello Pietro (Italiano)
8 Luca Giaccio (Italiano)
9 Yerlan Andagulov (Kazakhstan)
10 George Birkatze (Georgia)
11 Sergei D'yachkov (Ruso)
12 Denis D'yachkov (Ruso)
13 Yevgen Uzlenkov (Ruso)
14 Fernando Bufala (Español)


Girls

1 Neus Expósito Fernandez (Española)
2 Alba Cazorla Luengo (Española)
3 Georgia Molina González (Española)
4 Marta Ludevid Sanmarti (Española)
5 Ana Calderón (Española)
6 Andrea Palacios Fernández (Española)
7 Cristina Casa Gómez (Española)
8 Carla López Ponlla (Española)
9 Raquel Santamarta Rodríguez (Española)
10 Victoria Villanueva (Española)
11 Ana Cabral (Portuguesa)
12 Mª José Sales (Española)
13 Carrie Walsh (Inglesa)
14 Daisy Brodskis (Inglesa)
16 Andrea Estefanía Pumar (Argentina)
17 Tracy Jones (Irlandesa)
18 Alexandra Basmagy (Americana)
19 Yoko Callegari (Americana)
20 Irene Campillo (Española)
21 Irene Vaqueiro (Española )
22 Carolina Chico (Española )
23 María Sordo (Española )

APPRENTICES

1 Mirella Lorente (Española)
2 Greta Wright (Inglesa)
3 Silvia Inés Otero (Española)
4 Margarita Cuellar (Española)

Oh my God, it is so exiting for us

Interesting! Big! And very international! Thanks, Carolina.

Many of us have a little knowledge about Carmen Corella and Adiarys Almeida. Can you tell us something about the Spanish female principal. Natallia Tapia?

You are welcome!

With pleasure, about her and a little bit more

Natalia Tapia: She was principal with Víctor Ullate, she danced the principal role in Edurado Lao’s “Coppelia” when Eri Nakamura (now soloist at “Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal”) was injured. Natalia also danced “The Dance of the Hours” of La Giocconda with Ángel at the Teatro Real, but only few days in substitution of Letizia Giuliani.

Radev Kirill: Was soloist at the Imperial Russian Ballet.

As far as for the corps, I know Mª José Sales and Fernando Bufalá both coming from the English National Ballet where they were Corps and First Artist or Soloist (don’t remember exactly). Also Cristina Casa, who trained at the ABT and danced with the ENB last season in Swan Lake at the London Coliseum. And Yevgen Uzlenkov was also principal with Víctor Ullate, he was “Franz” at Coppelia.

If I find out any further info I’ll tell you

Thanks, Carolina. Didn't Corella also get a start with Ullate?

One of the most promising aspects of Corella's project is the commitment to preparing and giving more job opportunities to Spanish-born, Spanish-trained classical dancers. My count of the "Espanoles" and "Espanolas" in the list is:

Principals: 3 of 6, counting Corella himself
Male corps: 5 of 14
Female corps: 15 of 23
Apprentices: 3 of 4.

Not a bad start.

Yes, he did, he was one of that incredible troupe of dancers all at the same time in the company:

Angel Corella - ABT
Tamara Rojo – Royal Ballet
Joaquín de Luz - NYCB
Lucía Lacarra – Munich Opera Ballet
Ruth Miró – Bejart (now Lyon Opera Ballet, I think)
Víctor Jiménez - Bejart (now Lyon Opera Ballet, I think)
Ygor Yebra – Free Lance (now at the Bordeaux Opera Ballet)
María Giménez – She was dancer at the Ballet Nacional de Cuba
Ana Noya – She is still with Víctor
Marta Rodríguez Coca – ABT (now back in Spain)
Jesús Pastor – ABT (I think) and now back in Spain

And maybe I’m still missing some

I recall seeing Carlos Lopez, who later went to ABT. Somewhere I have my program of an evening that included Allegro Brillante. (I remember walking by a poster and noticing -- with surprise -- the Balanchine, so we bought a couple of tickets.) It was during the 1990s. I wonder whether a very young Corrella was part of the company at that time?

You are right, also Carlos López was there. ¡What an amazing young troupe we had at that time! I remember a wonderful Giselle (even if Ángel had already left to join the ABT)

I haven't seen Fernando Bufala very recently, but he did a very nice, stylish Bluebird a couple of years ago with ENB - definitely worth keeping an eye out for him!

WHAT a roster! This will be a fantastic company!! (even without Carlos Lopez, who I saw recently in Toronto and loved!)

I can't tell you how nice it is to finally see these names in print!!

Now, I will just need to plan a trip to Spain!

Muchas Gracias, CarolinaM!!

CarolinaM, thank you very much for your information about Corella Ballet. You are very kind and you have very good information. I would like to know more details about the ballet “The Bayadere” choreographed, directed and staged by Natalia Makarova, for next September at the Real Theatre in Madrid. If it is possible. I wish so much to see Angel ´s new company.

It would be incredible. It is so good that sometimes I can not belive it. I Makarova.

Welcome to BalletTalk, Carmen.

I like Makarova's staging of "La Bayadere" very much. Her version was my introduction to the ballet -- both as the Shades scene and as a full-length. I can understand how people who grew up on other versions may find it lacking. It is an ambitious undertaking for a new company.

There are so many familiar names in this company -- many of us are eager to hear not only about the company's progress overall, but that of some of the individuals. We're counting on our Spanish members to keep us informed. I look forward to your reactions to the company's performances.

Hi Carmen García, welcome to BalletTalk and thanks, yes I try to get well informed as I have been dreaming of this company for so looong!!

Also many thanks to carbro In Spain even if for you it must sound incredible, there is people who only criticize and try to make thinks as much difficult as possible for Ángel and his team. But we at fotoescena are supporting this so wonderful initiative from the very beginning and up to now. So to find people like you that share our illusion and enthusiasm is very nice. Thanks again!!

As you say, the official premiere of "Corella Ballet" will be with La Bayadere (Natalia Makarova) at the Teatro Real in Madrid, in September 4, 2008, but already on July 11 and 12, the "Corella Ballet" will perform at La Granja (Segovia) where the Company is set. The program will be “Clear” (Stanton Welch); “Bruch Violín Concerto nº 1 (Clark Tippet) and “In the Upper Room” (Twyla Tharp).

Just to inform you that tickets for La Granja will be on sale from next June 24 at La Granja Town Council, Sfera shops and at El corte Inglés at a price: 25-45 €.

At el Corte Inglés they can be purchased on-line El Corte Inglés - Tickets
or by phone: +34 921 470018

If anybody can come and need any help, please do not hesitate to ask and if we could meet there, as of course I will not miss it, I would be more than happy.

For La Bayadere in Madrid, September 2008, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 & 10 at 20:00 h. tickets will be on sale from July 15.

For El Liceu in Barcelona, July 2009, 9, 10 (two shows) & 11 (two shows) Gran Teatre del Liceu will be on sale from July 14 at 09:00 a.m. Ángel Corella will perform on July 9, at 8 pm and on July 11, at 10 pm.

Please join me in wishing good luck and long life to the Corella Ballet!! Ángel deserves this!!

Thank you, Carolina, for that information and for your support of the Corella enterprise.
I simply do not understand such people. They exist everywhere. But WHY?
Good for you, and many thanks. In a few years, I trust that we will all look back on 2008 as the beginning of an hugely successful enterprise for Spain, for classical ballet, and for Corella and his dancers. (And for ballet lovers like the fine people at Fotoescena.)

Thanks Bart, from the very deep of my heart

I hope you will be right. Ángel has started, but to keep on running his Company needs funds. He is fighting for this and has experts in his team to get it but it is very difficult and mainly now with this crisis everywhere.

But if they know that there is people supporting and encouraging them from many places worldwide this will for sure be a great dosage of stamina

And thank you also for your kind words for fotoescena. We also feel alone many times in Spain. But no matter, we know that we are right

By the way, would it be possible to change the name of this topic? It was said thet the name of the company would be "Ballet de España" but it is now decided that it will be "Corella Ballet" so maybe we could change, what do you think?

Another article, this one in the Aug./Sept. 08 Pointe Magazine -- "Made in Madrid," by Kristin Lewis.

It's an excellent update about the company and includes the following:

1) Corella began preparing the way for this as long ago as 2001, when he created the Fundacion Angel Corella to lay the groundwork for a company similar to ABT --

2) The impetus for the company (and 70% of the funding) comes from the Royal Family's foundation, which also donated the palace in Segovia that is the company's headquarters.

3) The name "Corella Ballet" is all about starting off with star recognition. AC hopes it will become the National Ballet of Spain (which must be conferred by the Spanish Government) or the Royal Ballet of Spain (bestowed by the royal family).

4) The official Madrid opening -- in September, at the Teatro Real -- will be Makarova's version of Bayadere, with Corella and guests Paloma Herrera and Gilliam Murphy.

5) Next hurdle: starting a ballet school for ages 11-18.

6) Some very nice photos, too.

It's clear that, behind the sunny exterior and sweet smile, there's a sharp intelligence and serious organizational ability and drive.

Thanks, 4rmrdncr, for calling my attention to this article.

That's really exciting, 4mrdncr! "Merde," indeed. If this company grows into the permanent national institution it has the potential to be, you will definitely have been there at the creation. I envy you the opportunity. Have a great and rewarding time at the Teatro Real.

This thread was getting so long that I've moved some of the recent posts -- those starting with this summer's Gala at La Granja (a July 10 post by CarolinaM -- to a new thread -- Corella Ballet . It's on the European Company Forum.

I'll CLOSE this one now. Please move on to the new thread:
HERE