Equipoise: The Life and Work of Alfredo Corvino(Contemporary Discourse on Movement and Dance)

In this insightful biography, dance historian Dawn Lille traces the life of Alfredo Corvino from his roots as a quiet, athletic boy in Montevideo, Uruguay, through his international performing career with some of the greatest companies of the 20th century to his long and fruitful years as a beloved teacher and ballet master. By weaving together interviews with Corvino's colleagues, students, and family with archival material from the Juilliard School, the Metropolitan Opera Ballet as well as the Corvino family, Lille has created a touching portrait of this wise, fun-loving and enigmatic man. Setting Corvino's own story within the context of the social, political, and artistic events of his time, Lille vividly explores the many forces and challenges that shaped this artist and educator. More than 40 photos, many never before published, illustrate the various stages of Corvino's life. Discussions with and commentary from his daughters Andra and Ernesta elucidate his teaching theory and basic exercises. Photographs with line drawing overlays by functional anatomy teacher and former Corvino student, Irene Dowd illustrate the equipoise of Corvino's approach to classical ballet technique. A foreword by Dominique Mercy, leading dancer with Tanztheater Wuppertal reveals the great gift Corvino gave to dancers and dance lovers everywhere through his life work.

Review :
ADVANCED REVIEWS "As a faculty member of the Juilliard Dance Division from its creation in 1951, Alfredo Corvino molded the bodies and inspired the minds of countless dancers, choreographers and teachers working throughout the world today. In this insightful biography, Dawn Lille captures the essence of the man and his work, a person of grace, humility, and enormous integrity." --Joseph W. Polisi, President, The Juilliard School "Dawn Lille has written a suberb and lively biography of Alfredo Corvino, the master ballet teacher for Tanztheatre Wuppertal Pina Bausch, the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and the Juilliard School. She elucidates his legendary approach to training both neophytes and accomplished dancers, showing how he infused their bodies with calmness and serenity and quietly taught them to think for themselves. With his guidance the dancers learned to move with a raw power and energy, as well as with a fluid lyricism. I know because I was one of the fortunate dancers who studied with him." --Judith Chazin-Bennahum, Chair Emeritus, Department of Theatre and Dance, University of New Mexico "What a joy it was to read a book dedicated to the life and work of Alfredo Covino! It is long overdue. We now have a volume that illuminates this generous and modest man who was one of our greatest artists, teachers, and humanitarians, and who has touched so many lives. Thank you Dawn Lille, for giving us this sensitive and informative volume, which not only presents so clearly his principles of teaching but also gives us a look into the events that shaped Alfredo Corvino's life." --Carla Maxwell, Artistic Director, José Limón Dance Foundation