Above: dancer Antonio Leone in rehearsal for Caterina Rago’s ALTA MAREA
For the past few years, I have been hoping and planning to meet the Italian-born choreographer, Caterina Rago. My various health problems, my over-crowded schedule, the pandemic, and myriad minor distractions have somehow prevented me from connecting with her – and her work – until now.
In December 2023, I finally met the choreographer (who is also an astonishing dancer) when she invited me to a run-thru of the first half of her newest creation, ALTA MAREA, at Ballet Hispanico. Within seconds, I was drawn into both the music (a sonic tapestry that weaves in works by Arvo Pärt, Abel Korzaniowski, Max Richter, and Steve Reich), and the movement, which is at once balletic and spaciously contemporary. Her dancers are a gorgeous group of human beings, who magically combine artistry and athleticism: Rose Barbantan, Henry Steele, Amina Konaté, Antonio Leone, Cara McManus, Lissa Smith, and Ms. Rago herself.
Read about ALTA MARIA, and find a link to buy tickets to see the ballet here. The performances are Saturday and Sunday, January 27th and 28th, 2024, at Peridance, 126 East 13th Street in Manhattan.
