Il Corsaro – Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong

A very big and happy surprise was set up by Francesco Giambrone, Sovrintendente of the Opera of Rome and Eleonora Abbagnato, Director of the Ballet when, at the end of the last performance of “Il Corsaro”, while the audience was greeting with enthusiastic applause the cast, both of them came on stage to announce that Alessio Rezza was nominated “Etoile” of the Ballet of the Opera of Rome, under a rain of golden petals !

The confirmed and talented artist was born in Puglia, province of Bari and has grown up artistically under the advice of Eleonora Abbagnato, who describes him as “a dancer of unique temper, perfect for both classical an contemporary dance”.

Personally, I was particularly impressed by his interpretation of François in “The nutcracker” of Piotr Ilitch Tchaikowsky last Christmas. He was as naughty as irresistible, with the “Je ne sais quoi” of irony which made me think about how interesting his way of apprehending his art was.

Anyway, in those dark days, a new star has come to enlighten the sky of art and I am quite satisfied with my intuition which brought me to give all my attention and appreciation to this handsome and charming man, with wonderfully blue eyes and great modesty.

Photo credits: Fabrizio Sansoni and Yasuko Kageyama

Italian dancer Jacopo Tissi was already well-known in the world of dance to be one of the best dancers of his generation, which was definitely consacrated with his nomination as “Etoile” of the Bolchoi in december 2021 by Makhar Vaziev. He decided to come back to Italy in March 2022 and became a guest first dancer in the Scala Corps de Ballet, directed by ex French Etoile Manuel Legris.

In this warm springtime saturday evening, Rome was glittering with enthusiasm when appeared on stage the young and talented Jacopo Tissi in the role of Conrad, the main character of “Il Corsaro”, a classic of the repertoire, re-managed by world famous choreographer José Carlos Martinez.

The audience was captivated at once, as soon as Tissi appeared in the first scene, when his beloved Medora was about to be sold as a slave somewhere back in time in the Ottoman Empire. His graceful movements together with the unique charm of his magnetic presence on stage made many hearts beat faster…

The very special choreography of Martinez made the plot much easier to follow for the spectator but preserved the most famous moment of this utmost masterpiece of the classical repertoire of western ballet. Together with his beautiful Georgian partner, Maia Makhateli, Jacopo Tissi gave energy and elegance, with strength and delightful smiles in this very difficult ensemble of dancing movements, which render this “pas de deux” absolutely fabulous and unforgettable.

We do hope that Jacopo Tissi will come back to Rome as soon as possible. Doubtlessly, the intensity of the cheerful applause at the end of the performance could be clearly translated into a “Please do not leave us too long before bringing your art again in the Eternal City” !

My gratitude to Fabrizio Sansoni for the gorgeous photos.