DANZA&DANZA International Magazine Jan/Feb Back Issue

As tradition dictates, in the first issue of the year we announce the winners of the D&D Awards, prizes that the magazine’s dance critics have been awarding annually since 1987 to performers, productions, companies and choreographers that have stood out on the Italian dance scene in the previous season. 2020 was a year characterised by the threat of closure and reopening, punctuated with cancellations and renewed momentum, suspended somewhere between physical and virtual – a year in which dance suffered greatly. Nevertheless It seems that in a year plagued with difficulties the lights of this art form shone even more brightly. Discover all winners in the Awards section of this issue.
Looking ahead, we decided that we’d like to tell you about artists and directors who aren’t letting obstacles get in their way. One choreographer who is certainly one step ahead when it comes to artistic ventures is Boris Charmatz, the artist behind the revolutionary idea of a Choreography Centre “without walls” we interviewed for this issue. Another artist currently riding on the crest of a wave is Dominique Hervieu, director of Maison de la Danse in Lyon and the Biennale de la Danse, two real cornerstones of the world dance scene.
A combination of live and streamed shows provided a varied offering over the last few months of 2020. Our reviews from the Italian and international stages include premieres from Enzo Cosimi, digital play from Richard Siegal, the 2020 platform for Israeli dance, new productions from the ABT, Wiener Staatsballett’s first outing with Schläpfer at the helm, Staatsballett Hannover, Nikolaj Hübbe’s new production of Bournonville’s masterpiece "La Sylphide", "Lazuli Sky" with the Birmingham Royal Ballet and Dutch National Ballet. As we look to the future with hope we also discuss pregnancy with three Italian dancers: Rebecca Bianchi, Giulia Tonelli, Sara Renda.
Happy new year!