Compañía Nacional de Danza

Good morning Niccolò, how are you? And a very happy birthday.

Hello good morning! I’m very well thank you! Very glad to be able to answer your questions.

The first steps for a dancer are very significant in their career. What were your first steps on the road to dance?

Well, my mother saw me stretching in the living room, without my really knowing what I was doing. She then signed me up for a ballet class when I was almost 10-odd years old and I immediately liked it; but, like, a lot, despite not wanting to go at first.

What does it mean to you to be a higher dance graduate from the Paris Opera School?

It means having been surrounded by people who share your love for this profession; extremely interesting and demanding people, who gave me so much and without whom I would not be where I am right now. A very special time of my life.

You won the bronze medal at the Grasse international competition. Did receiving that mark a before and after for you?

Receiving the medal itself didn’t really bring me anything, especially as I didn’t go with the aim of getting an award. Thinking about it brings me down actually though there are those it helps. But the whole process I went through up to dancing on stage made me change and it taught me a lot; and that for me was the most important thing.

Dance is experienced in very different ways in different places. So, why Spain?

At first I wanted to live in Italy but I applied for the CND audition and José Carlos gave me the opportunity to come here. I told myself that this opportunity was going to be an incredible one to grow, to learn another language, another culture and roll under my own steam. Today I am still very grateful to be part of that Company.

How has your experience in Madrid been? What do you like most about it?

Madrid is a very welcoming city. I was able to experience that as soon as I arrived in Spain; on my first day. People are very open-minded, Spaniards love to share, they are very welcoming and they like to grasp life. I love that joy they carry in their blood; some flamenco clapping in the street, a Sevillana dance suddenly in any bar, musicians and artists in the street… All of this amazes me.

Is there something you miss about France?

Wow, a lot of things! Among others, my family, my friends, the gastronomy, good bread—because here it is more difficult to find it easily—frequent concerts… You can never forget where you come from, I think.

Do you find similarities and/or differences between Paris and Madrid?

Of course. For example, the French seem to me perhaps a little more distant at first, while the Spanish tend to be very close directly. The architecture is also very different between the two cities. Madrid for example has many more colours. Paris will have a more elaborate architecture but is colder in that sense… To cite a couple of example.

How about the communication process, with everything being in Spanish?

At first it was all a bit of a mess, I’m not going to lie to you. I knew Italian quite well and I started to get confused mixing Italian and Spanish words. Between that and the different accents my brain was frazzled. But I managed to communicate and I really enjoyed learning this language, which, I think, like Italian, is a language that is sung.

In 2015 you joined the CND. What has been the piece you have enjoyed most? Why?

I loved two pieces in particular, Por vos muero by Nacho Duato and Enemy in the Figure by William Forsythe. The first has left me deep memories of sharing with incredible dancers. The second pushed me beyond my limits, always making me give more than I thought I could.

Out of all the roles you have not yet had, which ones would you like to dance most?

I would have been thrilled to be able to dance Jirí Kylián’s Gods and Dogs, a masterpiece that hit me in the guts.

In 2016, Joaquín De Luz becomes the CND’s artistic director. What is it like working with him and his artistic team?

Joaquín has established a more dynamic environment. I get the feeling that everyone wants to excel and give their best; even more so since his arrival. And that is really motivating. The teachers also help us improve thanks not only to their classes but also to their attitude, which is very positive.

How would you define yourself as a dancer?

I would define myself as someone on a continuous search; everyday looking for a better way to exercise control over my mind and my body. And to do it in order to express what I feel or what is asked of me, always aware that transmitting is my ideal.

To finish, and on the occasion of your birthday, what is your favourite birthday food?

Hahaha! Well, I don’t really have anything in particular. As long as I share it with the people I love, I’m fulfilled.

NICCOLÒ BALOSSINI – CORPS DE BALLET

Interview by: Monserrat Martínez