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A perfect Juliet by a 50-something ballerina

Posted October. 26, 2016 07:09,   

Updated October. 26, 2016 07:21

한국어
53 years old? I felt like a teenage Juliet when she danced.

Alessandra Ferri, the world’s best Juliet in Romeo and Juliet ballet, performed Juliet at the Opera House of the Seoul Arts Center on Sunday.

After a series of actions, she was out of breath. Her naked back reflected her age. That was all because it was the only moment to see her age. On the stage, she was a teenager Juliet herself.

She expressed a teenager’s innocence on her face in playing with her nanny, a teenager’s pureness with her eyes falling in love with Romeo, and a teenager’s anxiety from her painful gesture to her parents opposing her lover.

The tips of hands and toes start to talk: “I’m in love.” Her eyebrows are raised slightly: “I can’t take it.” She gasps: “There is no other option.” She shutters and stands quietly: “I want to run to you.” Like this, she expressed emotions fully using her body.

In the last chapter, audiences held their breath. Juliet is in a state of suspended animation as if she is dead after taking pills. Romeo, who discovered her belatedly, held her up and dances. Ferri relaxes and gives herself to Romeo. Gravity disappeared from the stage. Space gave her everything.

After the curtain was down, I realized it again – “Juliet = Ferri”.

My ear ached due to the loud sound of bravos as well as standing ovations.

Ferri’s partner was Herman Cornejo, a principal dancer of American Ballet Theater, who was a perfect match. The Universal Ballet Center members did their best as if they were dazzled by Juliet. The performance continues until Saturday but Ferri will be on the stage only on Wednesday. I just want to hold Juliet back more.



김동욱 기자creating@donga.com