Gala Marks Programmatic Shift for Vienna State Ballet Under New Director

Alessandra Ferri, director of the Vienna State Ballet, concluded her inaugural season with a programmatic reorientation, culminating in a gala dedicated to the British choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton.

Formerly known as the "Nureyev Gala," the event, first introduced by Manuel Legris in 2011, had been a point of contention for Ferri's predecessor, Martin Schläpfer. This year's tribute to Ashton signifies a rehabilitation of the format and a clear shift towards a more classical orientation for the company.

The program's coherence was enhanced by Ashton's diverse oeuvre, which spans narrative ballets, reinterpretations of classics, and abstract works. The inclusion of pieces by his contemporaries, Michel Fokine and George Balanchine, further enriched the evening. Ashton's signature style, characterized by elegant port de bras, fluid upper body movement, refined footwork, and technical precision, served as a unifying element throughout the performance.

Works like Ashton's "Rhapsody" and Christopher Wheeldon's "Within the Golden Hour" stood out, offering a glimpse into the evolution of abstract ballet from Ashton's tradition. These pieces, along with a Balanchine work, will feature in the upcoming season's program, "Living Legacies." The latter part of the gala transitioned into a more traditional format, featuring well-known pas de deux from "La Fille mal gardée" and "Le Corsaire," alongside a "Swan Lake" pas de quatre. Despite this section being slightly lengthy, the dancers' performances, including those by Cassandra Trenary, António Casalinho, Margarita Fernandes, Davide Dato, and Paul Marque, were highlights.

Overall, the gala presented nine pieces, allowing both the corps de ballet and soloists to demonstrate their versatility. The audience responded enthusiastically, with frequent applause acknowledging the cohesive concept and high technical level. Ferri's successful season finale suggests a strong future for the gala format in Vienna, even without the "Nureyev" name.