Review | Le Corsaire by La Scala Theatre Ballet for Hong Kong Arts Festival had its moments, with a star turn by Nicoletta Manni, but was uneven overall
- This classic 19th century ballet was not the exhilarating romp it should have been, despite Manuel Legris’ attractive choreography and some neat dancing
- Nicoletta Manni was outstanding as Medora, as was Claudio Coviello as Birbanto, but changes to the story and an absence of comedy don’t help the production
Milan’s La Scala Theatre Ballet returned to Hong Kong for the first time since 2014 to dance Le Corsaire, one of the most entertaining of the classic 19th century ballets.
The production boasts gorgeous sets and costumes by Italian designer Luisa Spinatelli and had some fine moments, notably Nicoletta Manni’s superb interpretation of the heroine, Medora, but overall the performance was uneven.
Last time La Scala Theatre Ballet appeared in Hong Kong the artistic director was Makhar Vaziev, now head of the Bolshoi Ballet, who had put the historic Italian company back on the map after years in the doldrums.
Following the controversial, short-lived tenure of contemporary choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti and four years under Frédéric Olivieri, since 2020 the company has been in the hands of Manuel Legris.
After a glittering career at the Paris Opera Ballet as one of the greatest classical dancers of his generation, Legris established himself as a director with a successful 10 years at Vienna State Ballet, where he created his Le Corsaire in 2016, a production he restaged in Milan in 2023.
