Jun 1

Jun 1 Ballet Academy Matinée, Vienna State Opera: May 31st, 2026

Matinée, Ballet Academy, Vienna State Opera: May 31st, 2026

Copyright: a t t i t u d e / Ricardo Leitner

I always say that „Rules are made to be broken, especially mine. By me“. But some are not, and I will stick to that and in no way change my mind when it comes to Ballet Galas and School’s (in our present case; Ballet Academy’s) performances, or presentations at the end of the school year. I am firm about that.

I would not mention all names at a Gala and select who did the best job or didn’t, couldn’t, or wouldn’t. It would seem more like a sports ranking, and the dance world is hardly the place for that. Definitely not fit to a performance as we have witnessed today.

Apart from the „ranking factor“, I also believe that one should incentivise these children and teenagers, not criticise them, or make them doubt themselves, in any way and never create an artificial “competition” among them. And I mean that.

That is what “teamwork” is all about. And the ballet is just that. Without the collaboration and effort of all involved, it would not work. Exactly what I saw today is the living proof of what I advocate (or nearly “preach”, as somebody once said): Teamwork!

Today’s Matinée was, in all possible ways, inspiring. Yes, this is the word. It is not only inspiring to observe the incredible (and probably exhausting) work done by Patrick Armand over the last 9 months.

Yes.

Don’t forget that his period of Directorship started just last September.

This (short) particular period of time is more well described in the open letter that Mr Armand and Miss Andrea Yannone (Head of Administration) published in today’s programme. You can read it here:

My main comment on the Matinée’s performance from today: Simply inspiring.

And this is good. Very good indeed.

Unlike many others in the public, I can make comparisons, and even if they should not be made, as they are mostly inappropriate, one has to have the courage to say: I haven’t seen this Academy giving such an inspiring display of good, solid work in a long time. My Congratulations to Mr Armand. Luckily, I could quickly congratulate him, Mr Hastie, and Alessandra Ferri, as they were the real hosts of the cocktail that took place during intermission after the first part. I always make a point of never “monopolising” the hosts' time and attention, as they have, in the short time, many other guests to greet and take care of. Not only must the host think of the guests’ “well-being”, but the other way around is also a premise. Just a thought!

Talking about the intermission, let us make one in my reporting on this occasion and on my (above-mentioned) congratulations to Mr Armand and his very well-received work: It does not surprise me. Not at all: His reputation, after his long collaboration with the Ballet School of the San Francisco Ballet, travelled ahead to Vienna, and we were more than looking forward to a “happy ending”, also, to the Ballet Academy.

I know there is still much to do, but I'm very pleased with what has been accomplished in such a short period. An achievement that can only be described as “magnifique”!

The Opening made no secret that we were going to witness a very level of what can be done in a school – and to think that the whole „Team“ had a single stage rehearsal (Think of the little ones… The little ones, perhaps for the first time on stage!). Amazing.

Copyright: Ashley Taylor / Vienna State Ballet

It is good to see all those young knees and feet stretched, tendús very en-dehors, efaccés, croisés and écartés very distinguished from each other, identifying the unique movement qualities, features and/or boundaries that separate one from the other. I like to see that reflected in the malleability of a young body that is learning to dance.

For the young ones, this „prodigy“ ended in pirouettes – perhaps some of the first ones they have ever made on stage… Think of that! If they will continue dancing when they reach maturity or not, if they’ll be good dancers or not, if they’ll be Stars or not… It is completely beside the point. It does not really matter at all. When you stop and start thinking about the historical moment we have just witnessed. Yes, the first pirouettes on stage, the culmination of a year of very hard work, discoveries, new ideas. Their life is just beginning; think of that.

Jorma Elo’s sensitive, extremely creative and musically, sometimes very surprising, „Double Evil“, was presented by the 8 members of the Junior Company, as it should, on a highly professional level.

Nearly viscerously.

„A couple of summers ago“, I made one of my most creative interviews with Mr Elo – and it was fun and a half! No question that I like his views and totally identify with his short, and very precise, descriptions, as for example, calling „Double Evil“ a „hydrodynamic work“.

“Coppélia” (Third act’s Divertissements). Unquestionably the perfect choice to finish a school performance; I had not expected to see it today. As I read the programme, having taken my place in the audience a bit earlier today, I thought it might be “a notch above” the level of the 7th and 8th grades at the Academy. How wrong I was.

A well-succeeded finale of a (surely) very stressful, rich, rewarding year for all involved.

Admiring the many families, friends and people who are very interested in Ballet, I must admit that I felt somewhat good „inside“. Warm. Cosy. Thankful to be a part of it, even if just as a spectator:

Their Life (yes!) is just beginning.

Ricardo Leitner

a t t i t u d e

Vienna, May 31st 2016