Aterballetto

Founded in 1977 as Compagnia di Balletto dei Teatri dell’Emilia – Romagna and directed by Vittorio Biagi, the company has been known since 1979 as Aterballetto. Composed of 16 soloist dancers who are able to grasp deeply the most diverse dance styles, Aterballetto has gained wide recognition in Italy and on the international scene thanks to the high quality of its interpreters. Now placed as the leading contemporary dance company in Italy, it is the first permanent ballet-producing organisation apart from Opera House companies.
With the arrival of Gigi Cristoforetti as Managing Director in 2017, the Fondazione Nazionale della Danza / Aterballetto has opened up to choreographic productions from diverse artistic inspirations while renewing its artistic mission. By creating a dialogue between visual arts, music, theatre and education, Aterballetto initiates multidisciplinary collaborative projects. This way, it deepens its relationship with the music world, opens up to new audiences (young people, people with disabilities or in precarious situations) and infuses its creations and productions with a unique sensitivity.
In June 2022, the Fondazione Nazionale della Danza / Aterballetto became the first National Choreographic Centre in Italy, rewarding the attention paid to different aesthetics, the exploration of urban spaces, the quality of the company and its great international scope.

Aterballetto’s season opens in September 2023 at the Le Temps d’Aimer la Danse festival in Biarritz with two French premieres. Firstly, the YELED / Shoot Me programme, choreographed by Eyal Dadon and Diego Tortelli, and Storie, choreographed by Diego Tortelli and Philippe Kratz. The second is unique in that it involves only half of the dancers, and will be performed simultaneously in two theatres. These two programmes showcase the versatility and technical qualities of the company’s 16 dancers.

Two premieres are scheduled for this season. The first on February 17th 2024, a short piece by Iraxte Ansa and Igor Bacovich that will open the dance season at Parma’s Teatro Regio. Then, to the iconic music of Oscar-winning composer Ennio Morricone, Marcos Morau will create An evening with Morricone at the Macerata Festival on July 26th and 28th 2024.

The Over Dance programme, devised and produced by Aterballetto with dancers aged over 65, will also be on tour. It includes Un jour nouveau created by Rachid Ouramdane and Birthday Party by Angelin Preljocaj.

“A great contemporary dance company with a technical level that can compete with the great international ensembles.”

Anna Bandettini, La Repubblica

“The Reggio Emilia company’s dancers confirm their versatility and skills in technique and interpretation. And as on every occasion, the spectator remains impressed not only by the quality of their gesture but also by their chemistry as a group, the way they move as one, and the energy they transmit to the audience.”

Federica Pezzoli, Estense.com