“I started dancing when I was 8 years old at a school in Zaragoza, where I spent most of my life. When I turned sixteen, I went to study at the Hamburg Ballet School, where I was fortunate enough to be taught by many talented teachers. Unfortunately, I had to return to Spain because of the pandemic. Once schools reopened, I completed my ballet training in Zaragoza, Spain, at the María de Ávila Ballet School, where I had the privilege of studying with the best teacher I could have asked for: Lola de Ávila, former artistic director of the San Francisco Ballet. After completing my training, I received my first contract as a ballet dancer at the Ruse State Opera, and I have been working here ever since. I will be eternally grateful to Ruse for allowing me to begin my career at its Opera House and for everything I have learned in this company so far!”
Words from the Spanish ballet dancer Samuel Charles Lossada, who dances the role of the Fairy in the Ruse State Opera’s production of “Cinderella.” Here is what else he had to say about his role in this captivating ballet production:
It’s interesting that a man plays the role of the Fairy in the ballet „Cinderella“. Whose idea was that?
The idea came from Natalia Osipova (choreographer at the Ruse State Opera). At first, it seemed a little strange to me too when she told me about it, because I had never before seen a man play the role of the Fairy. However, once we started choreographing and working on the character, I stopped feeling awkward, and it turned into a more innovative and different way of approaching this well-known character.
How do you feel as a female character who could perform miracles and cast spells?
I feel great! I’ve tried to think of myself less as a man presenting as a woman, and more as a benevolent being—the Fairy in the story—who helps Cinderella throughout the ballet to achieve her dreams and free herself from the terrible situation she’s living in.
Have you danced in this ballet before?
I had never danced this ballet before its premiere last December, and I am very grateful to be playing such a fitting character in the story. It still fascinates me, and it’s a huge challenge for me.
What do you think of Prokofiev’s music? Does it inspire you?
To be honest, I wasn’t very familiar with his music in this ballet, but I love his music for „Romeo and Juliet“, so I was excited when I started working on „Cinderella“. I really like how each character has a different musical motif in the ballet, which makes it very easy to follow and to get into the atmosphere of what’s happening on stage.
If you really had a magic wand and were given the power to perform one miracle for people, what would it be?
I think it would be something related to health and the opportunity to help people who need it, because our bodies and our health are the most important things we have.
