Roberto Bolle & The Boxer

Meet Roberto Bolle, ballet dancer, and his friend the Boxer.
An exclusive interview, by Letizia Airos, shot for i-ItalyTV at the Metropolitan Museum around The Boxer at Rest, the world- famous ancient masterpiece on loan from the National Museum of Rome.

(www.i-Italy.org)

Our interview involved two timeless symbols, Roberto Bolle and The Boxer at Rest, an ancient statue on display at MET for the first time ever— thanks to the Italian Embassy in Washington and the financial support of ENI, Italy's biggest oil company and Corporate Ambassador of the Year of Italian Culture in the U.S. On loan from the National Museum of Rome for a brief exhibition, the captivating bronze masterpiece, discovered on the Quirinal Hill of Rome in 1885, has literally bewitched its U.S. visitors, whose numbers reached 90 thousand over two months. For the purposes of this special interview, the MET gave us exclusive access to the Mary and Michael Jaharis Gallery. This is how a centuries-old statue came to interview a great Italian dancer in New York City. Roberto Bolle too is on stage under the aegis of the Year of Italian Culture in the U.S. Indeed he is bringing here for the first time his world-famous performance "Bolle and Friends" (New York City Center, September 17). Here is a sneak peek of the interview, which can be watched in full on i-ItalyTV—online, on air and on cable.
Launched by Nureyev
Roberto Bolle's passion for classical ballet began when he was just a child. At the age of 11 he joined the Ballet Academy at La Scala in Milan. His career took a turning point when he was first noticed by Rudolf Nureyev at the age of 15 during the mise-en-scène of "Death in Venice". He then went on to become one of the most successful Italian dancers in the world. He was the first Italian to become Principal Dancer at the American Ballet Theatre when he was appointed in 2007. "La Scala is where I built myself, where I grew up, a reference point that always has been and always will be very important to me," explains Bolle. He was La Scala's Principal Dancer until the age of 21.

A courageous choice
At 23 he decided to become Etoile, continuing his career as guest artist. "I was taking a risk," he said. " I didn't have the security of a contract, a salary, a job." But he has no regrets.
Shortly following his decision, his international career took wing, leading to performances in the most important theaters of the world alongside other classical ballet stars. Among his life's landmark moments are 1999, when he became a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF; and 2007, when he danced at the Metropolitan Opera House for Alessandra Ferri's farewell to the stage.

Bringing Italian Culture to the U.S.
Now, to celebrate this Year of Italian Culture, he will stage "Bolle and Friends" for the first time in New York thanks to the sponsor Acqua di Parma. A production he created 10 years ago and for which he also acts as artistic director, it is already a great success in Europe. The performance is a succession of "classical and modern pieces with a little bit of Italian flavor." "There is a great pride and a great responsibility at the same time," affirms Bolle, who is very happy to bring Italian culture to New York, a city that loves him and where he feels very comfortable. Roberto Bolle will use renowned dancers from the best companies in the world for the production.
This is a unique opportunity to admire—in the same evening and on the same stage—today's most famous ballet stars in a friendly face-off of technique, schools and styles. The program is designed differently for each theater and performance, but it remains fast-paced and thrilling, with an exciting parade of pas de deux and solos from the most beloved classical repertoire of the 1800's and the most celebrated titles of the 1900's.

For more details, go to www.robertobolle.com

As seen on i-ItalyTV
Every Sunday @1pm airing on NYC Life (Channel 25)

Visit us at http://www.iitaly.org