TODAY 61 YEARS AGO Mauro Bigonzetti was born. The Italian choreographer received his ballet training in Rome. There, at the Opera di Roma, he danced for ten years before joining Aterballetto in 1982. He created his first piece with the Italian company in 1990 and left Aterballetto in 1992 to work on a freelance basis. In 1995, former Artistic Director of the Stuttgart Ballet Reid Anderson discovered him and his work; in 1996, Bigonzetti created Kazimir's Colours for the Stuttgart Ballet. This highly successful work gave the impetus for his international career. In 1997 Bigonzetti returned to Aterballetto as Artistic Director. He led the contemporary company for ten years, helping it achieve worldwide recognition with his powerful, emotionally charged and visually stunning choreographies. He remained associated with the company as a choreographer until 2012. Internationally sought-after, he worked with prestigious companies such as the English National Ballet, the New York City Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet and the Ballet of La Scala in Milan. At the same time, the connection to Stuttgart remained. Commissioned by Anderson, Bigonzetti created Quattro danze per Nino, Orma as well as the full-length drama I fratelli – The Brothers (based on Visconti’s famous film)for the Stuttgart Ballet. And he is back! For the company’s 60th anniversary season, Artistic Director Tamas Detrich has invited him to create a world premiere to music by Ludwig van Beethoven. Welcome back Mauro and happy birthday!

Photo: Mauro Bigonzettio, © Brescia e Amisano - Teatro alla Scala