Aterballetto and its choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti come to Milan’s Piccolo Teatro for more than 2 weeks with a mini Festival of their repertory. Kicking off will be the Romeo and Juliet on May 17. It was created in 2006 and had a success in Milan the first time around at the Teatro Arcimboldi.

Never has a story been narrated as often, and has crossed as many geographic, cultural and class boundaries, as Romeo and Juliet. In our day, the myth crosses the social categories of the western world, and is probably the most well-known story of our culture. Aterballetto’s take is very modern and high-tech in Fabrizio Plessi’s design and Bigonzetti’s choreography.

From the May 24 a double bill of Absolutely Free and H+ will take the stage.  In Absolutely Free Bigonzetti allows the entire Company maximum generosity of interpretation and maximum creative freedom; a collection of old and new works, assembled without a real plot… free!

H+ is inspired by, not surprisingly, water: “Origin and mother of all, purifier of souls and bodies, instigator of wars, an inalienable right contended as an emblem of wealth. Its significant symbolic character has oriented this work.”

Serata Stravinsky winds things up, opening on May 31 for four days. Les Noces from ten years ago and Le Sacre from last year will be joined by the world première of a new creation Intermezzo. The work is for 4 pairs of dancers and uses the music of Suite Italienne.

Milan has an extraordinary lack of alternatives to the ballet company at La Scala, and the Piccolo Teatro’s initiative is warmly welcomed.

Photo: Romeo and Juliet –  A. Anceschi e R. Cavalieri

Tickets: platea €33, balconata €26 – Discounts with www.piccolocard.it

Booking and information: 848800304 – www.piccoloteatro.org