Balletto di Milano, one of Italy’s most respected touring companies, will bring its acclaimed production of Carmen to the Mediterranean Conference Centre, in Valletta, on March 29. For local audiences and dance enthusiasts alike, this promises a rare and exciting opportunity to experience world-class ballet on Maltese soil.
Carmen, based on Prosper Mérimée’s novella and inspired by Georges Bizet’s iconic score, is not just a story of love and heartbreak – it is an exploration of destiny, freedom and unbridled spirit. In this new incarnation by Balletto di Milano, the fiery heroine’s journey unfolds through a compelling blend of neoclassical technique and visceral physicality, tracing her confrontations with Don José and the charismatic bullfighter Escamillo.
The Balletto di Milano has amassed a reputation for performances that honour ballet’s grand traditions while invigorating them with contemporary energy. Their interpretation of Carmen − staged with striking sets and costumes by Marco Pesta − remains faithful to the depth and drama of its source material while making the work accessible and enthralling for modern audiences.
From the hypnotic Habanera to electrifying ensemble numbers for Gitani, Soldati and Cigariè, the production’s choreography, which fuses classical ballet traditions with a contemporary edge, captures both the subtlety and intensity of Bizet’s music in motion.
Giusy Villarà, who portrays Carmen, has been hailed by Corriere Milano as “energia vulcanica” (a volcanic force of energy) capturing both the raw intensity and magnetic allure of Bizet’s iconic character.
Audiences are invited to immerse themselves in a spectacle that is as emotionally rich as it is artistically accomplished. It is story-driven yet visceral, romantic yet unflinching in its portrayal of a woman who defies convention and pursues her own path, even when fate demands otherwise. In doing so, it speaks of universal themes − freedom, desire, identity − that resonate far beyond the theatre.
As Malta continues to cultivate an appetite for world-class cultural offerings, the arrival of Balletto di Milano’s Carmen, brought to the island by the boutique concert organiser AD Events, stands out as a highlight of the season.
Tickets are available at showshappening.com.
