Ballerina Alice Minoiu: "Being able to be the artistic director of such an event gives you the freedom to give life to your own imagination and vision"

Natalia Osipova, the prima ballerina of The Royal Ballet, will perform in the Ballet Gala “Once Upon a Winter’s Dream” on February 26, in Bucharest. She will showcase two pieces: the contemporary dance “Ashes” choreographed by Jason Kittelberger, and the classic solo “The Dying Swan” choreographed by Mikhail Fokine. Osipova, known for her impressive style and the highest leap in female ballet, makes her debut in Romania for this event organized by the Literati Association and directed by Alice Minoiu.

The gala features premieres including Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s “Romeo and Juliet” pas de deux, Wubke Kuindersma’s “Echoes of Tomorrow,” and Christopher Wheeldon’s “Cinderella.” Inspired by the song “Once Upon a December,” the event tells the story of Princess Anastasia Romanov, symbolizing hope and rebirth.

Joining Osipova on stage are renowned artists from The Royal Ballet, Bayerische Staatsballett, Royal Danish Ballet, National Opera of Bucharest, Staatsballett Berlin, and National Opera of Iași. Alice Minoiu directs the artistic presentation of the gala. Business Review went behind the scenes with ballerina Alice Minoiu for insights into the event’s production.

How did the idea of a Ballet Gala come about? What is the significance of Ars Gratia Regalia’s organization of this event?

The idea of the Gala came from the Anastasia’s song: Once Upon a December. One day in the summer, this song crossed my mind and I was thinking what a mix of feellings and sensations came out from this story. Then, I noticed I would like to make a Ballet Gala in the winter, bringing together all the emotions I felt from this song, such as nostalgy, ball memory, fantasy, love and old memories coming to life. And of course, all of this to be staged by some of the best Romanian and international ballet dancers.

Ars Gratia Regalia represents my own vision, meaning that art is noble and royal and we built this cultural brand by thinking that what we are creating under this name will be imperial and high quality.

What does the title “Once Upon a Winter’s Dream” signify for this event?

The title suggests a winter dream, a fantasy of emotions frozen in space and time, waiting to be brought into the spotlight. A special topic that the title hides is the footprint of Anastasia Romanov. I hope that “once upon a winter’s dream” the audience will remember witnessing a memorable ballet performance.

"LE CORSAIRE" Yasmine Naghdi e Reece Clarke - Principal Dancers del Royal Ballet Coreografia di Marius Petipa Musica di Riccardo Drigo

And the song “Once Upon a December” in the context of the event, and how does it contribute to building the magical atmosphere and conveying the story to the audience?

The song “Once Upon a December” primarily conveys the enigma of Princess Anastasia and makes room for several interpretations of what a winter dream could mean. The atmosphere created under the effect of this song is one of a story, and I am sure that the nostalgic chords will make the emotion vibrate like a romantic waltz in the souls of the public. Also, this song will open the Gala.

What does an artistic role mean for Alice Minoiu in organizing and directing the Gala?

First of all, Alice Minoiu is a dreamer who is extremely happy for everything that means artistic moment or artistic function. Being able to be the artistic director of such an event gives you the freedom to give life to your own imagination and vision. Of course, from all artistic and logistical points of view, you are responsible for those who believe and support your vision. Responsible in the sense of sharing your vision and in return to have deep gratitude for those who are receiving it. My dreamy side creates the concept and vision and my pragmatic one tries all the possibilities for the event to take place, finds the best partners for a professional and successful development.

You can do nothing if you don’t have an equally dedicated team that supports your ideas in an extraordinary way, and I do have this team.

Also, my dream was to offer to romanian audience some premiers, some ballet moments that will be seen for the first time in Romania.

I am very happy that Natalia Osipova, principal with The Royal Ballet, will dance for the first time on a romanian stage at “Once Upon a Winter’s Dream” Ballet Gala. Also, three special choreographies will be staged, for the first time in Romania: Pas de deux “Romeo and Juliet”, choreographed by Sir Kenneth MacMilan (with Reece Carke and Yasmine Naghdi), “Echoes of Tomorrow”, choreographed by Wubjke Kuindersma (with Marina Minoiu and Robert Enache) and “Cinderella”, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon (with Julian MacKay and Madison Young).

How are the international guest artists selected?

Recently, the presence of the prima ballerina from The Royal Ballet, Natalia Osipova, was announced, but several moments with top international dancers have been announced for the gala. The Ballet Dancers who are invited are one of the best. I appreciate them very much and, from my point of view, have a beautiful message to bring here in Romania. Since I was little, I had the curiosity to meet the best artists in the world, and now I have the honor to invite them to my show, in the end it’s about the persuasion of your own dream.

And I mention them here: Natalia Osipova, Recee Clarke and Yasmine Naghdi (The Royal Ballet), Julian MacKay and Madison Young (Bayerische Stattsballett), Marina Minoiu (Royal Danish Ballet) and Robert Enache (Bucharest National Opera), Dinu Tamazlâcaru (Staatsballett Berlin), Ada González (Bucharest National Opera), Cristian Preda and Viviana Olaru (Iași National Opera).

At this gala, your sister also participates, who is also a ballerina. How has the passion for ballet and your relationship as sisters influenced your artistic journey and performance in this field? And for organizing this event?

The relationship with my sister was, is and will always be an extremely special one. That kind of relationship in which you feel safe to build great things. I like to know when I create something that she is also involved, she is there as very often her elegance and finesse in movement inspires me and allows me to go with my thoughts faraway, somewhere in the royal times. We have a special bound and together life is so much wonderful.

What challenges and rewards does collaborating as sisters in the ballet universe entail?

The challenges were more during school times, where there many kinds of voices considered that I have other benefits in performances just because I have an older sister, which was extremely false. My sister and I are very different within dance style, and each of us had own path. Our paths crossed many times when we both danced at Bucharest National Opera. Knowing that I was dancing in a show with my sister gave me double strength, because I felt safe.

In the artistic world, I have no ambitions related to anyone, I want to express as many visions as possible with my sister and the talented people around me.

In a TV interview, you mentioned aiming to transform Romania into an important hub for global ballet. How do you contribute to achieving this goal?

Actualy ‘hub’ is the perfect term for my vision. Indeed, my wish for Romania is to become an important bridge for the international world of ballet. For me, the cultural experience must be a social one too, to produce events focusing on the public. The public should have an amazing experience when stepping into this fascinating world of dance. And to achieve this goal, I will remain loyal to my imagination and beliefs.

What kind of emotional response or engagement are you hoping to evoke from the audience through this Ballet Gala?

I hope that everyone who will be present in the audience will open their souls in front of this snowstorm of beautiful emotions. If there will be smiles, tears, joy, sorrows, nostalgia and many other feelings on the public faces, it means they lived a beautiful winter dream.

How do you anticipate the audience will receive the blend of classical and contemporary ballet pieces presented in the gala?

I believe very much in all the ballet pieces brought to the gala, and I think the mix it’s like a life puzzle about a final image with different paths. Both classical and contemporary pieces are there to spread a message of love.

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