ARGENTINA: BALLET DANCER JULIO BOCCA PREPARES TO BRING HIS BALLET COMPANY TO EUROPE

Record ID: 858253

  • Title: ARGENTINA: BALLET DANCER JULIO BOCCA PREPARES TO BRING HIS BALLET COMPANY TO EUROPE
  • Date: 31st January 2002
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF BOCCA DANCING IN REHEARSAL
  • Embargoed: 15th February 2002 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
  • City:
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Entertainment,Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVACENX1ZEOJ432P5K4JQWFZSMBV
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Star Argentine ballet dancer Julio Bocca is determined to conquer international stages taking his troop to perform in Italy and for the first time in London. He says he wants to prove that despite its current economic turmoil his beloved Argentina and its people are rich in talent and culture.
    The outstanding Argentine ballet dancer Julio Bocca will land with his dancing company in Italy and Great Britain, where he will perform in a series of presentation that include classic and contemporary dances, as well as the daring rhythm of Tango.
    The gifted dancer, that debuted in Italy on Saturday (February 2), has already performed in the most prestigious halls in every continent with his "Ballet Argentino," a company that he founded in 1990 at age 22. He has been director of the company since 1997.
    London is the only one of the great capitals of the world where Bocca has not yet performed.
    "This is the first time that 'Ballet Argentino' goes to London, so I'm very anxious to see what happens, to see how the public responds to my company. I am a little nervous, but the guys are not, because they are young," Bocca told Reuters.
    He said that taking his company to London was an important objective in his life since no other Argentine classic or contemporary dancing company had performed in the British capital.
    After years of hard work and great charisma, Bocca succeeded in making dance a popular attraction in Argentina, where he now performs in Soccer stadiums and open air festivities, leaving thousands fascinated with his show.
    Bocca will present a mixture of dances, including "Encounters," directed by the prestigious American choreographer Robert Hill; "Adagietto" and "Desde Lejos" (From Afar) from Argentine authors Oscar Araiz and Mauricio Wainrot, respectively, and "Piazzola Tango Vivo," from Ana Maria Stekerman.
    In future shows, the director of "Ballet Argentino" plans to include more typical dances of his native country not only to spread Argentine culture, but also to rejuvenate the dances, just as he did with Tango.
    Since 1986, Bocca belongs to the American Ballet Theatre and since 1987 performs every year in the annual seasons of the Metropolitan Opera House.
    At 34 and after 20 years performing on stage, Bocca is feeling all that wear and tear in his strong and defined body.
    Along the years, he has had six surgeries, developed two serious back problems and achy feet.
    "My body is worn-down and now I have to sacrifice more and more. Maybe I'll leave (dancing) altogether. That's going to be sad, but when one has had the chance of doing everything, one leaves happy," Bocca told Reuters.
    Not without a clear sense of nostalgia, Bocca has already started to imagine his last steps in the world of ballet.
    At retirement, he plans a great tour in the main stages where he has performed in the world and a grand adieu in Buenos Aires to thank his loyal fans.
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