November 14, 2020
Tonight, Principal Kizzy Matiakis will retire from Royal Danish Ballet. Her last performance will be as Madge in “La Sylphide”. Thereby ending an extraordinary career from the young British dancer, who against all odds developed to a leading dramatic ballerina at the Royal Danish Ballet.
As told in a live interview with Erik Aschengren now available on the RDB internet, Kizzy Matiakis share her story from a ballet pupil in a local dance school to joining the Royal Danish Ballet, where her sister is already dancing in the corps. Somehow, it proves to be the right company for Kizzy Matiakis and she started a development that over the years brings her to the front of the company. In a few years Kizzy Matiakis develops her skills as a dramatic dancer. Her great break through was as Odette/Odile in Nikolaj Hübbe´s “Swan Lake “ in 2016.
My own review wrote:
“Almost as soon as Kizzy Matiakis entered the stage it was clear that Odette was in the building. She presented a character driven heart-rending performance. Making Odette matter creates the right platform Her musicality and understanding of the style embellished the performance. It also brought out the home truth: “Swan Lake” is not a ballet with two equally leading roles. It is all about Odette. Odile is but a supporting character.
Getting Odette right makes the whole picture comes together. Kizzy Matiakis could not only use the experience of a long career. She also somehow found expressions not seen from her before. As Odile, she did struggle somewhat, but because her approach, it did not really matter. She also had the luxury of Gregory Dean as her Siegfried. In the last run, Dean was the only Siegfried, who could really make himself manifest in the first act, where so much of the attention is on Von Rothbart and the plotters. Dean is a strong partner, actor and stylist. He goes all in in each role and he really enjoys the partnering process. Together they made the case for “Swan Lake” as a romantic tragic ballet. They dared to believe in the story and thereby putting “Swan Lake” where it needs to be.”
Promotion
Nikolaj Hübbe promoted her to Principal Dancer on the spot, which also gave her significant leading roles. Principal dancer and choreographer Gregory Dean created leading roles for her twice in 2019 as Karen Blixen and Cinderella.
There is no doubt that Kizzy Matiakis retires at a high point in a career that must be an inspiration for all dancers. Not only can they learn how to develop as dramatic dancers, they can also emulate her support and interest for upcoming dancers. Kizzy Matiakis took a chance on Royal Danish Ballet and found the company where she could develop as a dancer and actor. Hopefully, new generations will learn from her.
Royal Danish Ballet have made the interviews with Kizzy Matiakis and Amy Watson available on their webside. The interviews are in English.
https://kglteater.dk/xtra/forestillinger/forestilling-tak-for-dansen?section=36890
Kizzy Matiakis Biography:
Born: 1981
Nationality: English
Education: Trained with Leo Kersley and at The Central School of Ballet in London
Previous companies: The Royal Swedish Ballet, 2000-03
Career: Joined the Royal Danish Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in 2003. Promoted to soloist in 2008 and to principal dancer in 2016
Highlights from the repertoire with the Royal Danish Ballet: Aurora in Sleeping Beauty (Christopher Wheeldon), Odette/Odile in Swan Lake (Nikolaj Hübbe and Silja Schandorff), Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker (George Balanchine), Frøken Birthe in A Folk Tale (August Bournonville), Myrtha in Giselle (Nikolaj Hübbe and Silja Schandorff), Lead Ballerina in Le Conservatoire (August Bournonville), Prudence Duvernoy in Lady of The Camillias (John Neumeier), Lead Ballerina in Emeralds (George Balanchine), Lead Ballerina in Symphony in C (George Balanchine), The Queen in The Cage (Jerome Robbins) and Dark Angel in Serenade (George Balanchine)
Creations: The Countess in Queen of Spades by Liam Scarlett, 2018, Madame du Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons by Cathy Marston, 2017, and lead in The Death That Best Preserves by Natalia Horecna, 2015. Also created roles in ballets by John Neumeier, Christopher Wheeldon, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Jorma Elo, Tim Rushton, Kim Brandstrup, Jacopo Godani, Louise Midjord, Tim Matiakis, Esther Lee Wilkinson, Gregory Dean and Oliver Starpov
Photo Credits:
Portrait by Natascha Rydwald
"Swan Lake" with Gregory Dean" by Costin Radu
"A Folk´s Tale" By Per Morten Abrahamsen
Copyright(c) Royal Danish Ballet
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