How fitting that Alessandra Ferri has chosen San Lorenzo, the night of the shooting stars, to bid adieu to the world of ballet. The 44 year old dancer has danced for the last time last night in Taormina's Teatro Antico: her performance has been saluted by 30 minutes of applause, a neverending standing ovation by the 3,000 ballet-lovers in the audience.
How cool that she leaves while her body is at its peak, with untouched ability and spotless grace -- how smart that Ferri'd rather leave too soon than too late, to avoid the sad spectacle of dancers dragging overworked muscles through subpar performances, like too many of the other étoiles have done in the past.
Opera Chic joins the standing ovation, and feels privileged to have witnessed in person, last year, the magic of Ferri's last performance at la Scala. Grazie signora Ferri for 25 years of incredible career.