The Nutmeg’s artistic director reunites with William Forsythe
April 24, 2015
On April 15-19th, The Nutmeg’s artistic director, Victoria Mazzarelli, traveled to Frankfurt, Germany for a farewell performance and special reunion honoring world-renowned award-winning choreographer, William Forsythe.
“It’s an incredible honor to have worked so closely with such a gifted and intellectual choreographer. We didn’t fully realize it at the time, but Bill was changing the language of dance– pushing the limits of ballet,” said the Nutmeg’s Victoria Mazzarellli. Victoria spent six incredible years working closely with Forsythe as a principal dancer from 1990-1996 where she honed her creative abilities and toured extensively with the Frankfurt Ballet.
Victoria’s lovely daughter Alma accompanied her on this celebratory journey revisiting longtime friends and colleagues. The trip included a surprise visit to Basel Ballet where The Nutmeg’s artistic director accepted her first professional contract after being awarded the only gold medal at the 1984 New York International Ballet Competition at the age of 17. She spent the first six years of her professional career in Basel before joining Frankfurt Ballet.
Forsythe took over Frankfurt Ballet in 1984 and transformed it into the epicenter of the contemporary dance scene known as the Forsythe Company. After 30 years as artistic director, William Forsythe, will be leaving his position with the company and will be serving as artistic advisor to the Paris Opera Ballet as well as joining the University of Southern California’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance faculty as a professor of dance in fall 2015. Jacopo Godani, a former dancer with Mr. Forsythe’s Ballet Frankfurt who is now a freelance choreographer, was named as the new artistic director.
"It's an incredible honor to have worked so closely with such a gifted and intellectual choreographer. We didn't fully realize it at the time, but Bill was changing the language of dance-- pushing the limits of ballet," said The Nutmeg's artistic director, Victoria Mazzarelli.
IN THE MEDIA
In the days leading up to opening night of The Nutcracker, the music of Tchaikovsky flows out of the third-floor studio at the Nutmeg Ballet Conservancy in Torrington during dress rehearsals. It’s time to make costume adjustments, finesse dancer movements, and remind performers to smile at appropriate times. Read the full article https://litchfieldmagazine.com/onourradar/behind-the-scenes-at-nutmeg-ballets-the-nutcracker
