A dancer who kicked off her career in American musical films Grease and Fame, and later joined the New York City Ballet, is on her way to Malta with an exciting choreography tailored specially for Pjazza Teatru Rjal.
On Saturday and Sunday, Antonia Franceschi’s celebration of music, dance and beauty will be on display at the former Royal Opera House built in the 19th century to host performing arts.
“The idea behind Just Dance is a freedom to dance with abandonment and full out celebration of thoughts and feelings within an abstract context,” Ms Franceschi told this newspaper ahead of the performance.
Ms Franceschi was invited by Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s board member Brigitte Gauci Borda for the latter’s first engagement with the theatre.
Ms Gauci Borda said Ms Franceschi was an up and coming choreographer whose work was very artistic, up-to-date and exciting.
“Franceschi was a great George Balanchine dancer and worked under his guidance along with Jerome Robbins. Those two great masters have influenced her choreography style.
“It is very attractive and I know that the Maltese public and students will discover something new and great – a form of dance that is not performed outside of the great theatres of Europe and America,” she said.
Just Dance is being put up specifically for Pjazza Teatru Rjal, with some pieces having been performed in London, New York and all over Europe.
Franceschi has created two premieres with new compositions especially for Malta. All the numbers will be accompanied by live music.
After featuring as a dancer in Grease, Ms Franceschi played one of the leading roles – Hilary von Doren – in Fame.
She was among one of the last generations to be selected by the legendary founder George Balanchine for the New York City Ballet and in 1999 she was the winner of the Time Out award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance. “Grease and Fame were very different but exceptional experiences. Although I was very young (16 and 18) when I filmed them, I was made to feel valuable and comfortable in my dancing and acting,” Ms Franceschi said, noting that the people who hired her – Pat Birch and Alan Parker – made the time spent with them special.
To be guided and pushed by them and surrounded by fantastic actors and dancers was fabulous
“To be guided and pushed by them and surrounded by fantastic actors and dancers was fabulous.”
Asked about the most satisfying period, she said she enjoyed most of her situations.
“Getting into NYCBallet and succeeding in what was a childhood dream – to be a ballerina – was very important. And to have been chosen by Mr Balanchine and educated within his company and then later directed by Peter Martins was lucky.
“I am very aware it was a golden time and I got some of its sun. And Jerry Robbins was a dream to be dancing for. I love teaching, music and dancers, so choreography is something I fell into quite happily. I feel like an artist now... This gives me great pleasure,” she added.
Just Dance’s programme is inspired by Gershwin’s classic piece Rhapsody in Blue where he invites listeners to a place of optimism and hope.
A troupe of six dancers from The Royal Ballet, Rambert, Ballet Black, Random Dance and The New York City Ballet will be accompanied live by pianist Yoshiko Sato, cellist Johan Stern and violinist Richard Wade.
Ms Franceschi, who has also choreographed several works for Ballet Black, London Contemporary School, The New York Theatre Ballet and most recently for Mara Galeazzi and Roman Pajdak of The Royal Ballet, will also be giving two master classes this weekend.
More information on brigittegauciborda@pjazzateatrurjal.com. Tickets for Just Dance, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 9pm, are available from www.ticketline.com.mt.