RAJESH MISHRA

DOHA FAMOUS Italian director and choreographer Gino Landi is impressed with the quality of audience in Qatar and would love to present his works again and again, if possible on the occasion of the World Cup 2022 as well.

Talking to newsmen on Saturday, Landi, who is in Doha to present his captivating ballet titled ‘Secrets of the Sea’ at the ongoing Qatar Marine Festival 2011, said, “I have noticed that the audience here sits through the entire show, which is something that a director looks for.

And, it is this seriousness of the audience that matters most to me.” Responding to a query as to how the idea of producing a ballet on Qatar’s marine heritage occurred to him, Landi remarked, “Her Highness Sheikha Moza watched one of my biggest shows held on a 17th century stage in Venice about a couple of years ago.

She was quite impressed and expressed her desire to involve me in an artistic venture in Qatar.” He added, “Later, I came to Doha last year at the invitation of the Qatar Marine Festival Organising Committee and stayed for four days in the city.

So, I have studied Doha and its culture, its characteristic mysticism, over a period of time to be able to give them a theatrical expression in the ‘Secrets of the Sea’.

Landi said that though it was a big challenge to make Qatari and the Italian artistes understand each other’s culture to be able to retain the spirit of the ballet, he along with his Italian and Qatari associates, especially Qatari composer Faisal Tamimi, succeeded in accomplishing the task.

“Besides, there was some delay in the arrival of materials form Italy for constructing the stage.

Fusing the western and eastern elements in the ballet in a harmonious way was another major challenge that tested our skills,” Landi pointed out.

The Italian director said that he was used to undertaking such challenges and his views were echoed by his son and Video Director of the ballet Luca Gregori and Chief Choreographer Cristina Arro.

In his remark on the ballet ‘Secrets of the Sea’, he said, “There are many surprise elements in the ballet.

It is totally unconventional with new theatrical devices and the blending of the elements of the Arab and European theatres.” ‘Secrets of the Sea’ traces Qatar’s marine life right from the Bedouin days to life after the discovery of oil and gas.

Landi said that Qatar had also impressed him with its vibrant art scene with massive involvement of the youth, who brimmed over with positivism.

Landi’s forthcoming work is a TV production titled ‘Pippo Baudo’, which tells the history of television and marks the celebration of 150 years of Italian unification.