REVIEW MURRU: DANCE AND TRIUMPH - A STAR IS BORN AT LA SCALA What happened yesterday to Massimo Murru, a dancer in the corps de ballet of La Scala, happens to only a very few great performing artists. After his stupendous performance in “Histoire de Manon”, which was greeted with the enthusiastic appreciation of the audience, he was publicly promoted then and there to male lead dancer... la Repubblica, April 1994 ROLAND PETIT DISCOVERS A REAL ACE: THAT STATUESQUE BALLET DANCER WHO IS PERFECT FOR SHOCKING ROLES “In Milan you have the greatest ballet dancer in the world: Massimo Murru. On this you have the word of a choreographer who has worked with Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn, and Alessandra Ferri...” This is how Roland Petit, when introducing his ballet “Cheri”, shows his enthusiasm for his latest discovery … “I am truly happy to have found him, and I can assure you that you will be delighted, because you will never see another couple like Massimo Murru and Carla Fracci...” Valeria Crippa, Corriere della Sera, February 1998 PETIT BRINGS “CHERI” TO LA SCALA ...Roland Petit almost loses his head when talking about Massimo Murru: “He is as somber as a monk, introverted, with great dramatic strength and perfect artistic technique. When I saw him dance, tears came to my eyes. He is one of the greatest artistic performers in the world: a true miracle.... If I had not returned to Milan I would not have had the opportunity to meet this genius of ballet, Massimo Murru.” Natalia Aspesi, la Repubblica, February 1998 “LA SYLPHIDE” AT THE MARSEILLE OPERA Together with Alessandra Ferri, Massimo Murru was a wonderful James, reaching spectacular heights with perfect synchronization of his movements with the music. He magnificently overcame the technical pitfalls of the first Romantic ballet in the history of dance. Michele Taddei, La Provence, March 1998 ROLAND PETIT’S “SWAN LAKE AND ITS EVIL SPELL” Massimo Murru is the swan that Roland Petit would never have dared to imagine even in his wildest creative dreams. He does not dance, he glides, he seethes. He is the melding of man and bird, free despite the fact that he disarms with solitude.... His variation of the first act is beautiful, touching, and comes straight from the heart..... in the pas de deux that he interprets with Asylmuratova, they float along like so many bubbles of happiness... Michele Taddei, La Provence, April 1998 MASSIMO MURRU “THE GREAT GATSBY” Massimo Murru is confirmed as a performing artist of great stature; his character is sorrowful and is danced with a rare degree of awareness.... his lines elongate into space, his turns and balance are beyond criticism, his expression is fluid and perfectly measured... Francesca Pedroni, Danza&Danza, June 2000 A “GISELLE” FULL OF HEART AND SOUL ....the emotion of the meeting with Giselle (Sylvie Guillem) can be largely credited to Massimo Murru’s style. Murru exudes nobility and dances with great ardor and authority... Lewis Segal, Los Angeles Times, July 2001 “CARMEN” AT THE LINCOLN CENTER IN NEW YORK ...his Don José was a novelty for New York audiences. Massimo Murru, a dancer who was trained at La Scala Theater, appeared as a resident guest star. He is tall and his appearance reminds you of an “Italian” Daniel Day-Lewis with pronounced cheekbones. He has a strong and sure classical style and a technique that he applies with great individuality to each role. As Don José (originally Roland Petit’s role) he gave us an interpretation of boiling passion combined with gelid precision. Anna Kisselgoff, New York Times, July 2001 MURRU THE “ROMANTIC” The star of Milan’s La Scala transformed into Quasimodo in “Notre Dame de Paris” for the Paris Opera, with Isabel Guerin at his side. This operation was judged a complete success, and at the end of the ballet the excited audience enthusiastically applauded the first Italian performing artist appearing at the Palais Garnier. Dancer, November 2001 EVENING OF RAVEL - DAPHNES ET CHLOE Massimo Murru is our most introspective and interesting dancer. With emotion and a sure touch, he imparts just the right balance to his character, giving a beautiful solo performance with a memorable interpretation.. E. Airoldi, Il Giornale, February 2003 DAPHNES ET CHLOE AT THE SCALA ...Neumeier made an excellent choice when he picked Massimo Murru to dance the leading role; Murru's interpretive depth is perfectly suited to expressing Daphnes's emotions... F. Pedroni, Danza&Danza, March 2003 CARMEN MATS EK - PALAIS DU FESTIVAL CANNES .....Murru perfectly interprets the anxiety, passion, guilt, and jealousy of the D. José created by M. Ek... M. Guatterini, Sole 24 Ore GUILLEM - MURRU: MANON ....In perfect harmony with S. Guillem, Massimo Murru interprets a de Grieux who is mature, aware, and humanely strong, dances with prowess, and increases his presence throughout the ballet by virtue of his technical ability which combines strength and agility... ...A great triumph for them! M. Pasi, Corriere della Sera, February 2004 MANON: A MASTERFUL LESSON... ...Massimo Murru reveals an impressive understanding of the role and gives an extraordinary performance. His dancing is eloquently rich in emotions, with vibrant lyricism...his solo was only the beginning of a masterful lesson in dance performance and of how dancing can reveal the essence of a story and the existence of the roles. S. Poletti, Dance International, March 2004