Interview in German for Radio International Prague
Original link of the Interview
(English Version bellow...)
English Version
From ice hockey to ballet: Czech Michal Krčmář is a dance star in Finland
Michal Krčmář is a ballet dancer and studied at the Prague Conservatory. After graduating, he was a soloist with the ballet ensemble of the Prague State Opera. However, he soon began to gain experience on the international scene. He has lived in Helsinki since 2011. He is the Étoile – i.e. star soloist – of the Finnish National Ballet. Last week Krčmář was visiting Brno / Brünn. Together with other renowned soloists, he danced there at a ballet gala on World Dance Day in the Janáček Theater. Before the performance, Martina Schneibergová had the opportunity to talk to Michal Krčmář.
Mr. Krčmář, you have been living in Finland for about twelve years. What was your path to engagement with the Finnish National Ballet like?
“In 2010 I visited Finland for the first time. At that time I was invited as a guest to dance the role of the prince in the ballet 'The Nutcracker' at the National Theater in Helsinki. After two performances, I was offered a job in the ensemble there. Since I've always longed to dance abroad, I decided to give it a try."
Was it a coincidence that you were invited to Finland?
"Actually already. Nikola Márová (principal soloist of the Prague National Theater Ballet, editor's note) will also perform at the current gala in Brno. She danced with me in 'Swan Lake' in Prague in 2009. The then head of the Finnish National Ballet put together the choreography for the Czech National Ballet. At that time I was dancing with Nikola in the Prague State Opera. In Finland at that time there were many Nutcracker performances within a month. After some of the main actors there were injured, the head of the ballet company was looking for a dancer who could help out. And Nikola Márová then recommended that he invite me.”
Before you became a dancer, you played a lot of sports as a child, including ice hockey. It kinda fits Finland...
"I played ice hockey and soccer with great passion as a child."
“Ice hockey is undoubtedly the number one sport in Finland. I played ice hockey and soccer with great passion as a child. But my parents didn't have enough money for me to continue doing sports on a professional level. And the dance lessons for children did not cost much. My mother was also a dancer, but not a ballet dancer. She recognized that I have a sensitivity to music. That's why she wanted an expert to assess my talent. At that time, a soloist from the Prague National Theater was leading the dance lessons at my elementary school. After the first dance lesson, she recommended me to study at the Prague Conservatory. Thanks to the cooperation of the National Theater and the Conservatory, we performed in ballet performances when we were children. I remember it, that I had a role in 'Sleeping Beauty' when I was about twelve. In 2007 (at the age of 17, editor's note) I danced the role of the prince."
Do the skills from the sport also help you with dancing?
"When I dance, I use the virtuosic elements, the coordination of movements, that I learned as a child."
"Absolutely! I used to do karate as well. When I dance, I use the virtuosic elements, the coordination of movements, that I learned as a child. I would say that dancers who have only trained in ballet all their lives lack this. As a child, I also did acrobatic exercises in karate, and I combine these elements with dance. I still use those skills to this day.”
During your career you have won many international awards. For example, in 2015 you received the Edvard Fazer Prize, which the Finnish Cultural Foundation awards to those dancers who have contributed the most to the development of the ballet company. But they were also awarded in Italy…
“The price in Italy was a surprise for me. My wife is from Italy, I speak Italian. In 2019 and 2020 I danced as a guest at the San Carlo Theater in Naples. That's where I probably got the attention. In 2021 I received the 'Premio Capri Danza Internazional', which is awarded for international merits.”
They dance in classical, neoclassical and modern ballets. Do you have a role that you particularly like?
“My favorite role is Basilio in 'Don Quixote', which I also dance at the gala in Brno. I really like the choreographies of John Cranko, the longtime director of the Stuttgart Ballet, especially his Romeo and Onegin. My top roles also include Spartacus and Solor in 'La Bayadère'. This season we rehearsed the choreography 'Dust' created by choreographer Akram Khan for the English National Ballet in 2011. We got the license in Finland to perform the play. That was the most modern choreography I've danced so far. It was a fantastic experience.”
Would you like to become a choreographer yourself?
"Certainly. I would like that. I have already put together some choreographies myself. But at the moment, as the first soloist and father of a family, I don't have the time. After my career as a dancer I would be very attracted to the work of the choreographer.”
How about directing?
"I love directing. I love film, old films. Director Miloš Forman is the number one director for me. I would like to combine film with ballet."
Have you had the opportunity to try out working as a director?
"Yes, yes. At a festival in Finland I directed a production of Swan Lake. I also wanted to bring it closer to those who might not have known ballet before.”
As a dancer you have performed in many countries around the world. Are the audiences different in each country?
"Each country has a different history, a different character - and that affects the population and thus also the reactions of the audience to the ballets. There are countries where certain choreographies are rejected. In other countries they are rewarded with applause. It's important to know who to dance for and how to dance."
Do you follow the ballet scene in the Czech Republic?
"Absolutely. I follow the dance scene and am still in contact with many former classmates and colleagues.”
Is there a role you have never danced but would like to?
“Yes: James in the ballet 'La Sylphide', which is currently being rehearsed in Prague. And also Collin in 'La Fille mal gardée'. I have never danced this part.”
What are your plans after returning to Finland?
“I most recently danced in the ballet 'Raymonda' by choreographer and director Tamara Rojo, who will direct the ballet company in San Francisco starting next season. Our opera house in Finland is currently being renovated. Therefore, a major tour was organized for the ballet and opera company. The performances will take place in May at various ice hockey arenas in Finland. Afterwards, I will appear with Yolanda Correa at gala evenings in Germany. We dance excerpts from the ballets 'Spartacus' and 'Don Quixote'. After that I will go to Sicily with my family for vacation. And finally I come to Prague, where I will be teaching in Masterclasses with Daria Klimentová.”
In Brno, you're about to dance at a gala. Do you prefer to appear abroad as a guest in a full-length ballet performance or as a soloist in just an excerpt from a ballet?
“I recently guested in 'Swan Lake' with the Estonian National Ballet and we took the ballet to Ireland, where they put on seven performances. It's demanding when you're dancing in a full-length ballet in a theater abroad. The gala evenings are more of a relaxation, because you meet people you haven't seen for a long time. And it is a journey that may take two days. Of course, full-length ballets are better, because you feel like you are in the role – and it's not just about the virtuosity of the movements like at a gala. In the full-length performances there is the opportunity to express yourself artistically, to show the development of the person portrayed from the beginning to the tragic end or the happy ending. This is a challenge.”
