destinations
Act III: Mara Galeazzi, Principal Dancer
I’ve been part of The Royal Ballet for 17 years. My first ballet on their stage was Swan Lake in the
corps de ballet. I had just arrived from the Scuola di Ballo at Teatro alla Scala in Milan and couldn’t
speak English! So although I had previously performed the ballet in Milan, I struggled for the first six
months or so just to understand the instructions in rehearsal and learn all the British repertoire and the
different styles.
Then, suddenly, in my first year, I got my first big break. Glen Tetley, the choreographer, chose me
to join four principal dancers for his ballet, La Ronde. It was amazing, but my nerves also kicked
in—there was a ton of pressure and it was a real challenge. Soon afterwards Monica Mason, our
current Director, cast me in the role of Mary Vetsera in Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling, partnered
with principal Adam Cooper, and I was still only 19.
As I gradually climbed through the ranks to principal in 2002, there have been so many special
moments. But I’ll never forget the night I was promoted. It was after our tour in Russia and there was
a special gala performance and dinner with Plácido Domingo at The Royal Opera House. Monica
invited me to attend, and the evening turned into a very special celebration with Domingo himself
