Angel Corella was appointed artistic director of Philadelphia Ballet, formerly Pennsylvania Ballet, in 2014. Under his leadership, the company has built a reputation for combining classical ballet tradition with innovative contemporary performances. A decade later, Angel takes a moment to reflect on his journey with the company.
Debra Danese: Congratulations on your 10th anniversary with the company. What have been some of the highlights for you?
Angel Corella: One of the biggest highlights has been bringing incredible choreographers to create new works for the company, including Juliano Nunes, Andonis Foniadakis, Yin Yue, Garrett Smith, Hope Boykin, Alba Carbonell, and Andrew Winghart, among many others. We’ve also had the privilege of performing pieces by world-renowned choreographers like Christopher Wheeldon, Nacho Duato, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Twyla Tharp, and Alvin Ailey, to name a few.
Taking the company on tour to different cities and countries has been an amazing experience, as well as creating numerous full-length ballets for the company. This year, it’s been particularly rewarding to see the start of construction on our new building, a significant milestone for Philadelphia Ballet.
DD: The season opens with La Corsaire, which has been described as a full-circle moment for you. Could you elaborate on what this means to you personally and professionally?
AC: The role of Ali in La Corsaire was made famous by ballet legends like Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Having the honor of dancing that role after them was a defining moment in my career. Now, to see that history continue with the incredible dancers of Philadelphia Ballet is deeply meaningful to me, both personally and professionally.
DD: What criteria do you use when selecting the programs for a season?
AC: There are many factors that go into deciding a season. Budget is certainly one, as well as the availability of choreographers, set designers, costume designers, and musicians. Equally important is choosing a repertoire that showcases both the technique and artistry of our dancers. My goal is always to create an exciting program that will make the audience eager to come to the theater.
DD: What excites you about the next 10 years?
AC: I’m incredibly excited about this season’s repertoire, as well as the special gala we have planned for October 25th. It’s a remarkable time as we celebrate not only the start of work on our new state of the art Center for Dance but also 60 years of this incredible organization. The future holds so much promise.
DD: What are some of your favorite spots in Philadelphia to spend time at when you’re not working?
AC: I love walking around Rittenhouse Square and having lunch at Parc. I also enjoy exploring the charming streets of Old City and shopping at Damari.
