Renato Zanella is a veteran European choreographer and one of the most highly acclaimed. Jose Carlos Martinez will be leading the National Ballet of Slovenia. He will present a new version of El corsario, Petipa’s classic choreography, at the Festival tonight. Two acts of ballet, full of love and legend, with outstanding music.
We don’t know much about the Slovenian National Ballet. What is the history of this institution?
Since the beginning of last season, I have been the director. It’s a young and versatile ballet that can be adapted to the contemporary as well as classical repertoire. Ljubljana is the home of the company and is rich in culture with Austrian and Italian influences.
Your own career, which has been through Cannes, Vienna and Basel. It’s full of variety.
-I like it a lot because it makes me more identify with this ballet, quite a few -50 dancers–and that is capable to doing great things.
How has Jose Carlos Martinez’s collaboration been?
It has that classic touch that dancers adore. Jose Carlos is a gentleman dancer who has a deep respect for history. I believe our performance will be a cultural encounter between two countries who love dance. His choreography for “El corsario” is amazing.
What is your opinion on the current situation at the Spanish School of Ballet?
-I admire her deeply. Just look at the number of outstanding Spanish dancers working in some of the most prestigious companies in the world. It’s surprising that there aren’t more public ballets, given the talent of the performers. The same is true in Italy, where there are 14 opera houses and three companies.
-Why is El Corsario so popular after all these years?
It is an exciting story that stimulates the imagination. The choreography’s infamous “step to two” is a great gift for both dancers as well as the public. The music is also exceptional.
What are your choreographer preferences?
High school and authenticity are two things I love. Jose Carlos is right. I believe tradition should be preserved and projected into the future. I don’t get the modern interpretations, sometimes ideologically, of the classics.
-What is it that inspires you to live in Granada
It is an honor for the company to be present at an important Festival on such a grand stage as the Generalife. It is an immense responsibility and an honor for me to perform in front of such a large audience. I was a dancer in the 80s and still have fond memories of that trip. Spain is a great place to be with friends, and I’m thrilled to return.