La Scala Ballet Opens Season with John Neumeier's La Dame aux camélias

The new season of Balletto della Scala opened with the return of John Neumeier's La Dame aux camélias, a demanding choreographic drama from 1978. The production, staged at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, features choreography by Neumeier, sets and costumes by Jürgen Rose, and music by Fryderyk Chopin. The ballet is based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas fils and was previously performed at La Scala in the 2006/2007 season. The opening night received a lukewarm reception, with critics noting that while the choreography remains splendid, many roles seem ill-suited and overly declamatory. The pas de deux in the third act is highlighted as a masterpiece of invention, with Roberto Bolle as an impeccable partner and Svetlana Zakharova imposing herself on the ungrateful role. The article also criticizes the absence of Italian choreographers in the season's program, arguing that the narrative of their unavailability is a myth perpetuated by repetition. Stefano Tomassini, the author, teaches choreography at IUAV University of Venice.