Angel Corella to retire, close his company and leave Spain
After ten years of hitting his head against a brick wall, Spanish ballet dancer Angel Corella has said that enough is enough and is closing his Barcelona Ballet company – formerly the Corella Ballet.
He set up the company while he was still a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, and it made its début in 2008, changing its name when it moved its base to Barcelona in 2012. Funding has been a problem from the start, and although he blames the Spanish government for not backing the project – “It demonstrates that it has no interest in culture” – maybe he should be blaming the economic climate.
I am frustrated, but I’m no masochist. After ten years of investing energy into a project I believed in, I’m forced to leave… they are throwing me out of here,
he told Vanitatis.
We have tried to smile and keep our heads held high, producing things of quality.
Being something of a national hero – there is even a waxwork of him in the museum in Madrid – the lack of backing has come as a shock to the first King of Dance, who was with ABT from 1995 until 2012.
He has also announced his retirement as a dancer at the end of this year, and that he would inevitably need to leave Spain to continue his career:
I’m going abroad. I cannot say what plane I will catch, but it’s clear that I’m not staying. I turned down the possibility to direct the New Zealand ballet company because it would have been too difficult to see my family, but now I’ve decided I’m going elsewhere.
That means that his current performances in the new work A+A, with Lebanese-Armenian violinist Ara Malikian, in Barcelona, will be one of the last times he dances in Spain.
Every time I go on stage the preparation process gets longer and longer. I’m 38 and it is time to make room for those coming up.
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
Sad news but understandable. Best of luck in your next endeavors.
Sad, but it seemed an overly ambitious project in a country that has such economic difficulties. Still, it would have been better if it had succeeded.
With all the beautiful dancers, outstanding teachers and choreographers Spain produces it should be succeeding in keeping the dancers in the country for their own people to enjoy. What pity Angel wasn’t supported in his vision.
I’m sure that where ever you go, you’ll land on your feet! Wishing you much success in the future. You’re a beautiful dancer.
Haglund’s Heel suggests that Corella should head for 890 Broadway, NYC aka ABT! http://haglundsheel.typepad.com/haglunds_heel/2014/06/observations-69.html
To see Corella Ballet in action, watch the trailer to the documentary film about its creation here: http://www.dancemedia.com/v/1528. Still need funds to finish it.
Shame on Spain, for there are ridiculously wealthy citizens who obviously prefer to be selfishly showcased in all their haute couture finery on the pages of Hola! than to support the best cultural resource Spain has had in 50 years! Maybe if Angel had Chanel or Gucci emblazoned on his forehead, then those dopes would fork out funds just to brag about to their rich & aristocratic friends. Very disappointing Spanish wealthy class — you get a big, FAT 0 for your lack of philanthropy. And though the US govt gets a big, FAT 0 as does Spain’s govt for lack of investment in the performing arts, gracias Spanish non-philanthropists — now we in the US get a chance to adore him again up close! Very many gracias for your stupidity & selfishness culture-less Spanish ricos.
Not sure where I’ve been, but the news of Angel C’s departure from Spain is a shocker. I’ve not seen him dance in person, but this dance films are an important part of my dance library. I keep an autographed Angel photo dancing one of the sailors in “Fancy Free” in my study. Bless you, talented sir. welcome back to the USA.