Martina Arduino & Federico Fresi in act II pas de deux from Excelsior (by Ugo Dell'Ara)

In 1881 La Scala Milan staged a magnificent ballet spectacle. The aim was to present by means of a ballet all the great discoveries and achievements which had illuminated the late 19th century. The result was ‘a choreographic, historic, allegoric, phantastic plot in two parts and eleven scenes’, i.e. this was not a ballet in the classical sense. Excelsior is a kind of choreographic composition, which sings the praises of progress in science and accomplishments, in keeping with the era of supreme optimism. The steam engine, the Brooklyn Bridge, electricity, telegraph, the Suez Canal and the tunnel between Italy and France are all technical achievements, which are shown on stage. Despite its seemingly dreary subject matter it was a huge success when first performed, and enjoyed a run of 103 performances during that year alone.
Civilization: Martina Arduino, Prima ballerina at La Scala
The slave: Federico Fresi

[@bettycurry6752]

Love these beautiful dancers…..wonderful!

[@williamdeng1870]

Just beautiful!

[@roccodepalma9734]

Bbravissimi Arduino Fresi.

[@stefaniam8011]

Magnificent, I love the Italian dancers of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. strong, energetic, technical, passionate, exciting..... awesome!

[@antonellapavone3879]

Incantevole!

[@pediatrapaola]

well done

[@maramanzelli5486]

Lui. Bravissimo ma sproporzionato rispetto a martina