CHOREOGRAPHER MAURO BIGONZETTI NAMED DIRECTOR OF LA SCALA BALLET

Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti has been named director of La Scala’s ballet. He’s filling a position left by Makhar Vaziev, who is moving on to direct the Bolshoi Ballet, according to Roslyn Sulcas in the New York Times.

Known for his role in the contemporary troupe Atterballetto, Bigonzetti has also done freelance choreography for Ailey American Dance Theater and New York City Ballet.

Writes Sulcas, “The choice of Mr. Bigonzetti, fifty-five, who works in a contemporary ballet idiom, over other contenders like the La Scala principal dancer Roberto Bolle or the former Paris Opera Ballet étoile, Laurent Hilaire, is . . . a surprise, since La Scala Ballet has long maintained a largely traditional classical repertory.”

In fact, Bigonzetti’s contemporary leanings have some dancers concerned about his appointment. According to reporter Teresa Monestiroli for La Repubblica_, certain dancers said, “We have nothing personal against Bigonzetti, but we believe that it would be suitable to appoint a person who has more classical background, together with an experience managing a large company such as that of La Scala.”