LIVE WOMEN!

Meeting with Carlotta Onesti, dancer.

Balzac Paris went to meet Carlotta Onesti, a luminous dancer trained between La Scala in Milan and the Paris Opera. Her journey, her projects, the women who inspire her and her favorite Balzac Paris pieces: discover her interview in our Journal.

LIVE WOMEN

Meeting with Carlotta Onesti, dancer.

“MY NAME IS CARLOTTA ONESTI, I AM 25 AND I AM A DANCER. »

Hello Carlota! For those who don't know you, who are you?

CARLOTTA ONESTI

My name is Carlotta Onesti , I'm 25 years old and I'm a dancer. I started dancing very early, I embarked on a professional career at the age of 12. At 18 I left for Milan where I joined La Scala. I stayed there for 3 years, then I worked in Rome, and finally at the Paris Opera ! Since the first confinement last year, we have done a lot of shows in video recording, without an audience. The Opera reopened its doors to spectators recently, but I am not working there at the moment - even if I hope to get back on stage very soon. I do a lot of freelance projects: for individuals, for television, for brands… I've danced in a film, at events and even at fashion shows !

Are there any women who have particularly marked you in your career?

CARLOTTA ONESTI

Yes, I'm thinking of one particular woman without whom I wouldn't be where I am today: Paola! She was my teacher in Rome , my mentor, almost my second mother when I was young. She always guided me and pushed me further. Without ever forcing me, she always sent me in the right direction.

Are there any women who particularly inspire you?

CARLOTTA ONESTI

In dance, there are many very inspiring women! For me, the ultimate icon will always be Carla Fracci. She unfortunately died a few months ago, it was a real shock for the dance world. She was the most famous Italian dancer, an icon of classical ballet, a very special and very inspiring woman. I had the great honor of dancing with her when I was very young. It was amazing to face his energy and his unique elegance . These are unforgettable moments, forever etched in my memory. I also greatly admire Sylvie Guillem, I find her incredible, she perfectly embodies the dancer I would like to be.

Today, what is the male-female parity within a ballet?

CARLOTTA ONESTI

In older ballets, like Swan Lake for example, there were many more women than men, but today that has changed a lot ! In more contemporary ballets, parity is generally respected, there are as many women as men. There are even all-male ballets today. More and more men are dancers!

If you could live 24 hours in the life of another woman, who would you choose?

CARLOTTA ONESTI

I like everything retro, so I would like to spend 24 hours in the life of Sophia Loren when she was young. She is a huge Italian icon, she embodies beauty, elegance, I am fascinated by her spontaneity both in her art and in life... I read that we had several points in common in our respective careers, in particular that she lived in France. And she's not a dancer so it would change my daily life for 24 hours!

Do you have a message for young women who, like you, would like to become dancers?

CARLOTTA ONESTI

The course to be a dancer is very hard, it's a very competitive environment. We often leave our family very early, we must quickly abandon our "normal" life. You have to work hard and not give up, because once you get where you want, it's magic! Living from your passion is an immense opportunity. To reach the end of your dream, you have to make a lot of sacrifices, but the game is worth the effort!