Radka ZemanovaWhat words come to mind when someone mentions ballet?
To me, it’s always been discipline, determination and dedication, because it is an art form that requires strength and stamina, but which ballerinas must veil with grace and fluidity.
Czech-born Radka Zemanova knows this all too well. As a ballerina herself, she has first-hand experience at what it takes to make it in the business.
“To become a ballerina, one must start training from when they’re really young,” says Zemanova. “It is pivotal that the body hasn’t completely developed or else the flexibility and fluidity will not be as accurate. In many ways, training needs to mould your body for ballet.
“Children are trained for hours every day – sometimes even up to 12 hours a day – and hard work and dedication is how one becomes a ballerina.
The time span of one’s career is also short. Many enter the profession aged 18 and, if they’re lucky, have a time span of 15 years. In many ways, ballet is a lifestyle with its own special requirements, diets and disciplines – but for a ballerina, it’s not a sacrifice, but love.”
Zemanova, an events director at Malta Art Events, has been part of the organisers’ biggest successes, since the beginning in 2011.
She’s been a member of the team – either as a performer or as an organiser – in all its productions, including Viennese Nights (2011, 2012), Christmas Gala Ballet (2013), Jesus Christ Superstar (2014), La Traviata (2014) and The Best of Broadway (2014) – to name a few.
“We’ve really enjoyed organising these events, but, of course, it’s not always been easy,” she says.
“Support is very important and it’s not always readily available. Thankfully, however, we’ve had many full houses and the feedback has been exceptional.
“One of my favourite moments was when two elderly women approached us after La Traviata, which took place at Pjazza Teatru Rjal, and thanked us for organising the first operatic performance since its opening.
As girls, they had been to the Royal Opera House before it was bombed down during the World War II and they reminisced about how it was before and what this production had meant to them.”
Spectacular Ballet promises to be another success for Malta Arts Events, particularly thanks to the myriad of international soloists coming from all over Europe. These include Guido Sarno from the Teatro alla Scala in Milano, Sophie Benoit from the Royal Swedish Ballet, Martin Dvorak and Irene Bauer from the Vienna State Opera, and prima ballerina Ekaterina Petina with Adam Zvonar from the Bayerische Staatsoper.
In many ways, ballet is a lifestyle with its own special requirements, diets and disciplines
“As organisers, we always strive to put together high-quality shows, and whether it’s operas, classical concerts, fashion shows or ballets, we believe that a show has to push us to develop ourselves and our ideas,” says Zemanova.
“Although the backdrops will not be typical of ballets due to the fact that it is a gala, we believe that this show will allow people to enjoy the techniques and physical abilities associated with ballet in their full glory.
“Also, we can’t forget to mention the beautiful, original costumes, which are gorgeous to look at in themselves.”
Having its roots in Renaissance Italy, ballet established its present form in the 19th century, with big names like Sergei Diaghilev, the founder of the Ballets Russes and composer Tchaikovsky going down in the history books for their contribution to the art form and the music that has become part and parcel of the experience.
The gala is undoubtedly going to be a visual feast for any culture vulture on the island and the programme includes many classical and modern numbers from various ballets, like Tchaikovski’s The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, and Peter Martin’s Romeo + Juliet, among others.
“Every soloist will perform two different pieces and like we did at last year’s Christmas Gala Ballet we contacted various theatres around Europe, which suggested their best ballet dancers for certain roles,” says Zemanova.
“Together, we then created a programme that is both sophisticated as well as flowing.
“Unfortunately, since then, Ovidiu Matei Lancu, who is the partner of prima ballerina Bianca Viktoria Fota from the Bucharest National Opera and Ballet, has broken his legs and they will both be unable to perform. Never-theless, we have found two other wonderful ballerinas and we are certain that they will also perform to the highest of standards.
“We also have three young, Maltese ballerinas from the Brigitte Gauci Borda School of Ballet taking part in The Nutcracker,” says Zemanova.
“This is very important to us as, although there are many schools of ballet, there isn’t much opportunity to perform in a professional environment locally, and, as an ex-ballerina, I think it’s a shame that we don’t have a national ballet organisation to help foster talent and build a professional scene.”
Spectacular Ballet takes place on December 30 at 8pm at the Grandmaster’s Suite at the Hilton Hotel, St Julian’s and is held with the support of the Austrian Embassy.
For more information call on 7701 7423. Tickets are available online.
www.ticketline.com.mt