press kit

 Rhyth.mix
the sport becomes the show
A show by Barbara Cardinetti
From the idea of Antonio Gnecchi Ruscone
Technical Consultant: Emanuela Maccarani
Choreography: Barbara Cardinetti
Cast: the female Italian champions of rhythmic gymnastics
Rhyth.mix is an entirely female company, comprised of Italian
champions of rhythmic gymnastics, in which rhythm, synchronicity,
beauty and elegance are executed in perfect harmony of technique,
dance, music and color.
The body as an exhibit of elegance, the beauty as a fusion of shapes and
forms, the joy as bursts of color, the music as the harmony of movement:
Rhyth.mix embodies all of this.
The success of rhythmic gymnastics in big sports arenas across the
world inspired Barbara Cardinetti and Antonio Gnecchi of Bags
Entertainment in the production of this original
and bold project: a company that capitalizes on
the extraordinary potential of props such as
clubs, ropes, balls, ribbons, and rings
through the rhythm of dance, thanks to the athletic talent, ability, and
discipline of its athletes.
Even the world of television has acknowledged the potential of this fusion
of styles and the women of Rhyth.mix have served as the dance ensemble for two of the
biggest Italian television shows: the Fiorello show in 2009 on Sky and
Scherzi a Parte with Luca and Paolo on Channel 5 in April and May of
this year.
Rhyth.mix is a blend of genres and techniques such as the brilliance of
extreme movements, the integration of rhythm and dance and the
synchronicity of movement. Simply put, it is a vision of art.
Athletes move harmoniously, in sync with the stage-lights, in an intense,
striking and almost dream-like atmosphere. These gymnasts have
transformed the component of elegance and femininity in a complex
discipline like rhythmic gymnastics, under the choreography of Barbara
Cardinetti, an Italian champion of rhythmic gymnastics in 1992.
Rhyth.mix also integrates unique stagecraft,
with unexpected and attention-grabbing effects, which accentuate
the contemporary aspect of the show.
The cast is composed of female Italian athletes who have
gravitated towards the Italian National Team. Among them are
also Italian champions, Olympic Medalists,
Champions.
and
World
Within professionals who serve as consultants to the show, stands
out Emanuela Maccarani, CTN responsible for much of the
Olympic success of the Italian National Rhythmic Gymnastics
team.
Length of the show: 85 minutes
promo video: http://youtu.be/qjKEV444XOg
www.rythmix.it
Press Review
“Dancers or Gymnastics Champions? You be the judge.
To refine the intervals between one joke and another, in this edition, there’s an exceptional
dance group: Rhyth.mix.”
Sorrisi, April 3rd 2012
“Come see our butterflies (they are better than those of Belén)”. Luca and Paolo land
jokes and promise to the girls that they will be noticed. Not for their slit dresses, but for
their splits.
“…we have the “Butterflies of rhythmic gymnastics.” In the dance ensemble there are six
gymnasts. Three are Olympic gold medalists. This time, women will be represented in the best
light. These are girls that aside from being beautiful, are also capable.”
A-Anna, April 5th 2012
“Podium ballerinas. The dance ensemble of “Scherzi a Parte” is composed of real
athletes: the Rhyth.mix.”
Telesette-May 1st 2012
“Scherzi a parte. Six magnificent talents. They originate from gymnastics and with their
exhibitions, they have captivated the show’s audience.” Telepiù, April 17th 2012
“Clubs and sequins. One year after saying farewell to the springboards, the ex Italian
champion [Barbara Cardinetti] brings rhythmic gymnastics to the theater: she is one of
the eight protagonists of Rhyth.mix, the show which is about to debut in Italy.”...It is a
project that strives to present rhythmic gymnastics on stage and transform it into a show, thanks
to astonishing special effects: intriguing scenography, fans, stage-lighting, and other
experimental tools...
Cristina Sarto-Sportweek, November 14th 2009
“...an alternation of pure color and visual effects of incomparable elegance. Thunderous
applause for the athletes and the emotion evoking show that never ceases to surprise.”
L’Arena.it, December 7th 2009
“...rhythmic gymnastics, extrapolated from its context, exposes it’s most hidden core.”
IL SECOLO XIX, December 13th 2009
“Rhyth.mix. From the platform to the stage, a new career for these super
gymnasts...soaring effortlessly across the stage and putting on a show with their supple bodies.
After years of competing, they have utilized their athleticism and ability to create something
new. More than deserving of theater acclaim and applause..”
Valeria Crippa- Corriere della Sera, January 26th 2010
“The technique of the sport meets the choreography, sold out for all the previous dates.
When Fiorello hosted them as guests on his show, he fell in love with all eight of them. Are they
artistic? Without a doubt. Beautiful like top models, supple like snakes, dynamic like panthers,
the female group is special because it is formed by super champions of rhythmic gymnastics
(among them are World Champions and Olympic Silver Medalists) that even when putting aside
the competition have found a new way to utilize their astounding bodies.”
Laura Magnetti- Repubblica, January 27th 2010
“Super rhythmic sights and images. The technique, the synchronicity, the precision of
rhythmic gymnastics all blend together in harmony and dance. Rhyth.mix is where sport and art
meet, and create an exhibit of top-notch athleticism and agility.”
Simona Spaventa-Tuttomilano, January 28th 2010
“From clubs [props] to rock, eight athletes put on a show...”
Il Giornale, January 28th 2010
“Playful lighting, special effects, geometrical forms and perfect synchronicity. In a word: the
show. Acrobatic stunts and suppleness merge in unison in Rhyth.mix, astounding the
audience... The finale reflects the dance in its purity. Sequins and glitter, along with meteor-like
shapes in the background take the viewer on an hour long journey in this dreamy atmosphere.”
Teatro.org, January 30th 2010
“The rhythmic Olympics from Fiorello to Ciak of Milan
The champions of Italian rhythmic gymnastics, after the success they achieved when appearing
on the “Fiorello Show” on the Sky channel, come to Italian theaters with “Rhyth.mix,” a show
where gymnastics blends with music, show-lights, and fantastic scenography...”
Avvenire, January 20th 2010
“Gymnastics and poetry become dance.
The sport has always been spectacular, especially in disciplines that utilize balancing and
harmonious movements. Rhythmic gymnastics and the talent of these female athletes are
mixed with dance and theatrical expressivity. All the ingredients necessary to transform a
performance into a show capable of evoking another level of emotion, are there. On stage are
eight gymnasts who utilize their femininity, beauty, and elegance of rhythmic dynamics to
transform this discipline into a suggestive exhibition that presents a perfect synergy between
movement, lights, music, which are further accentuated by astonishing special effects..”
Franca Cassine- La Stampa, March 10th, 2011
“The stars of Italian rhythmic gymnastics star in a dance show.
The harmony of dance and the supple motions of rhythmic gymnastics, fused together with a
pinch of magic: this is the recipe of “Rhyth.mix.”
Sabrina Penteriani- Eco di Bergamo, March 3rd 2012
BARBARA CARDINETTI- Direction and Choreography
As a dancer and choreographer, she began her career in the world of
rhythmic gymnastics, pursing it for more than ten years and winning
numerous regional and interregional titles, until becoming an Italian
champion in 1992. Her artistic background reflects training from topnotch names in Italian and international dance, one of which was the
Alvin Alley School of New York, where she perfected her skills. As a
dancer, she works with important companies, participating in various
world tours: she was part of No Gravity, with choreography by Brian Sanders and David
Parson, and the show Waterwall with the Materiali Resistenti company directed by Ivan
Manzoni. In the United States she worked with Christopher Harrison and his company Anti
Gravity. She has also been a part of different dance ensembles for various television
productions, among which are Non facciamoci prendere dal panico with Gianni Morandi
(Raiuno in 2006) and Rockpolitick with Adriano Celentano (Raiuno 2005). As a dancer, she
has been pictured in important fashion magazines such as Cosmopolitan (by Fernando
Lombardi) and Io Donna (by Diego D’Alessandro).
She has participated in the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin,
Italy, as a dancer and assistant choreographer to Ivan Manzoni, with whom she also
collaborated for the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Paralympics. Additionally, she
performed at the closing ceremony of the Paralympics, with the choreography of David Parsons.
As a choreographer she collaborates with notorious communications agencies like Kevents,
Dpr, Micromegas event Enel, Now Available event Volkswagen, Casta Diva event Olivetti,
Mismas event Sport Week, Pry event Luxottica. In addition, she choreographs fashion shows
for brands such as Marcolin, Diesel and Airoth Elmet. In June of 2009 she participated as a
choreographer at the event Costa Crociere in honor of the baptism of the Costa Pacifica and the
Costa Luminosa, an exceptional event that deserves certification by the Guinness World
Records. Around the same time, she also participated as a choreographer for Rhyth.mix at the
Fiorello Show.
From 2009 on she’s been on tour with Rhyth.mix, of which she is the director and
choreographer. In 2010 she also directed and choreographed at the Gran Gala with
international equestrian artists for the fair “Horses in Milan”, as well as choreographing for
Grazia China in Shanghai and for the musical video clip “I giorni” by the group LaPhorma. She
worked as stage director for the commercial for KIKO makeup-Studio Falavigna.
In April and May of 2012 she choreographed the Rhyth.mix at Scherzi a Parte with Luca and
Paolo for the season premiere on Channel 5.
EMANUELA MACCARANI- Technical Consultant
As coach of the Italian National Rhythmic Gymnastics team, and an National
and International judge, Maccarani brings her own professional expertise and
twenty years of experience in the field of gymnastics. As an athlete, she
participated in two European Championships during 1982-1984 (at Stavanger
and Vienna) and in two World Cups, while becoming the senior Italian
Champion in 1984. In 1987 she started her coaching career. Aside from
coaching numerous private teams, she also became part of the technical staff
of Italy’s National team, as an assistant coach. Furthermore, she was the
head coach of the National junior division, and brought home two bronze medals at the 1996
European Championship at Oslo. In 1996 she becomes the head coach of the senior
division and makes her debut at the 1998 World Championships in Siviglia. The first medals
she won with the senior teams were at the European Championship of Riesa (two gold medals)
and the National victories occur as follows: silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, 1
gold medal and 2 silver medals at the 2005 World Championships in Baku, 2 gold and 5
silver medals at the 2007 World Cup, gold, silver and bronze at the 2008 European
Championships in Turin, gold medal at the 2009 World Cup in Pesaro, gold at the 2009
Mie World Championships (Japan), and finally, gold at the Pesaro World Cup and at the
World Championships in Moscow (2010). In September of 2011 the Italian National team
won the gold at the World Championships in Montpelier, for the third consecutive time.
Her brilliant achievements and results have gained her tremendous recognitions, such as the
Oscar of gymnastics “Coach of the Year” award (2004), the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
(2005) and the Bronze Medal of Technical Merit CONI (2006).
Athletes / dancers:
Fabrizia D’Ottavio
Fabrizia D’Ottavio was born in Chieti on February 3rd, 1985. She began
practicing rhythmic gymnastics at the age of five and started her agonistic
career, by becoming vice Italian champion in 2001 and participating in various
international tours. In 2002 she becomes a part of the Italian National Team.
With the “Silver Butterflies,” she wins 41 medals, among which the silver at the
2004 Olympics in Athens and the gold at the 2005 World Championships
(Baku), the silver medal at the 2006 Rhythmic Gymnastics European
Championships in Moscow (Russia). In 2008, after the Olympic Games in Peking, she
announced her retirement as a competitor at the Nationals.
In June of 2009, Fabrizia D’Ottavio was the mayor of the Mediterranean Village in Chieti, for the
XVI Mediterranean Games. In 2009 she also became part of Rhyth.mix. In 2010 she was
nominated Young Ambassador of Italy for the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games in
Singapore. From July 2011 she worked as commentator on Sky Sport for the Olympic Games
and in July 2012 she moved to London (for Sky Sport) as technical commentator for the
Olympics.
Daniela Masseroni
Daniela Masseroni was born in Trescore Balneario (BG) on February 28th
1985. At the age of six, she began to acquaint herself with the world of
rhythmic gymnastics.
In 2003 she became part of the National Team. She won the silver medal at
the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the gold medal at the Rhythmic
Gymnastics World Championships of Baku (Azerbaijan) in 2005. After a year
of withdrawal from competing, she participated at the 2007 World
Championships in Patras (Greece) where she won 3 silver medals. In 2008
at the European Championships in Turin, she achieved the title of European Champion, winning
the gold in the rope event, as well as the silver and the bronze.
She took fourth place at the 2008 Olympics in Pechino.
At the 2009 Mie World Championships (Japan, she became World Champion, winning the gold
medal in the general division, and another gold medal in the rope and ribbon event, and the
silver medal in the five circles competition. In 2010 she was Vice European Champion at the
European Championships in Brema, where she took home two silver medals and one bronze.
At the 30th World Championship in Moscow, she won the gold in the group event. In 20012 she
announced her retirement from competition and became part of Rhyth.mix.
Laura Vernizzi
Laura Vernizzi was born in Como on September 12th, 1985. She started
practicing rhythmic gymnastics at the age of six and by the age of thirteen
she was already named Italian vice champion, a title that landed her the
opportunity of competing at the Nationals, in the Individual-All Around
competition. She participated at a high level in several international
competitions, such as the World Games at Akita, and the World
Championships in Madrid, at the age of sixteen.
In 2003 she became a part of the National Team, with which she won
numerous medals, such as the silver at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the gold at the 2005
World Championships, Baku.
She completed her craft in Russia under the lead of one of the best coaches in the world, Olga
Baijanova. In 2009 she entered the company Rhyth.mix.
Vera Santagata
She was born in Desio on July 24, 1987. She began practicing rhythmic
gymnastics at the age of three. By the age of eleven, she became the
regional and interregional champion of rhythmic gymnastics. At the
same age, she also won the title of Athlete of the Yearly National Award
1998 "La Torretta per lo sport". In 2000, she became the Italian
champion of rhythmic gymnastics, and in 2001 she won the silver medal
at the international rhythmic gymnastics tournament of Sopron
(Hungary) and a gold medal at the international team meet, "Four Motors
for Europe" in Saint Etienne (France). In 2005, she participated in the Miss Italy beauty pageant,
winning the 6th place and winning the title of "Miss Cinema".
Elisa Santoni
Elisa Santoni was born in Rome on December 10, 1987. During her
career, she achieved a lot of success with the Italian National Rhythmic
Gymnastics team, becoming one of the most successful Italian athletes
ever.
She started practicing gymnastics at the age of four and at the age of
fourteen, she took part in her first international competition at the
European Budapest (2001) with the National Junior team. In December
2004, she was invited to the Technical Centre of Desio to participate with
the Senior National Team coached by Emanuela Maccarani. She also
became the captain of the Italian team. She won the silver medal in the
team competition at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and the gold medal at the World
Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Baku (Azerbaijan) in 2005.
She took part in the Beijing Olympics 2008, placing fourth. In 2009, she became the World
Champion by winning the gold medal at the World Championships in Mie (Japan), as well as
gold in the specialty tapes and ropes and silver in the five circles.
In 2010, at the World Championships in Moscow she established herself as World Champion by
winning the gold medal in the competition, as well as two silvers (ribbons and ropes, 5 circles)
In 2011, at the World Championships in Montpellier (qualifying for the Olympics in London
2012) she wins the title of World Champion for the third time by winning the gold medal at the
competition. In addition, she took home the silver medal in the 5 balls competition and silver in
the wheels and belts competition. She participated in the 2012 London Olympics with the team,
winning the Bronze Medal in the competition.
Elisa is part of the Air Force and holds the rank of Chief Aviere.
Elisa Blanchi
Elisa was born in Velletri on October 13, 1987.
She started practicing gymnastics at the age of three and at
ten she was invited to the national junior team, making her
debut at an international level at the European Championships
in Budapest in 1999. In 2001 she participated in the European
Jr. of Geneva and became a part of Team Italy.
She became a part of the senior national team in 2002. At
sixteen, she won the silver medal with the national team, at the Athens Olympics in 2004; and
the title of World Champion 2005 in Baku (Azerbaijan) where she won two silver medals, in
addition to the gold medal. The following year she participated in the European Championships
in Moscow, winning two silver medals and one bronze medal. The same year she won the
bronze medal in the finals of the World Cup Mie (Japan). In 2007, at the World Championships
in Patras (Greece), she won three silver medals. Subsequently, at the European
Championships in Turin, she was awarded the title of European Champion 2008, winning gold
in the ropes and gaining two more medals, silver and bronze.
She participated in the Beijing Olympics 2008, achieving fourth place.
At the World Championships in Mie (Japan), September 2009, she won two gold medals and
one silver medal, thus leading her to win the title of World Champion in 2009.
In April 2010, she won the title of vice-European champion in Bremen and also won two silver
medals and one bronze medal. Elisa reaffirms her title as World Champion for 2010 by winning
the World Championship in Moscow and winning a gold medal and two silver medals. This
brings her the third consecutive title as World Champion as she won a gold medal and two silver
medals at Montpellier in 2011.
She won the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
Currently she is an athlete of the Sports Centre Air Force based in Vigna di Valle.
Anzhelika Savrayuk
Anzhelika was born on August 23, 1989. She was World Champion of
rhythmic gymnastics in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Anzhelika joined the Italian team of rhythmic gymnastics after obtaining
Italian citizenship in 2007.
In 2007, at the World Championships in Patras (Greece) she won a
silver medal in the overall standings and 2 silver specialty. Then in
2008 at the World Cup in Kiev (Ukraine), she won the gold medal in the
overall standings and one silver specialty. She competed in the Beijing
Olympics 2008, achieving fourth place.
At the World Championships in Mie (Japan) on September 2009, she
became World Champion, winning the gold medal in the competition, as well as another gold in
the specialty tapes and ropes and silver in five circles
In April 2010, she won the title of vice-European champion in Bremen after winning two silver
medals (competition and 3 ribbons / 2 ropes) and a bronze (5 circles).
At the World Championships in Moscow 2010, she wins the title of World Champion for the third
time, in their house favoritissima Russia. In addition to winning gold in the competition, she took
home two silver medals in the finals of specialties (5 hoops and 3 ribbons / 2 ropes).
She also won the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
Currently she is an athlete of the Sports Centre Air Force based in Vigna di Valle.
Sheila Verdi
Sheila Verdi was born in Pavia on January 30, 1989. She began her
artistic training as a classical dancer. At the age of nine she began
competing in the world of rhythmic gymnastics. She solidified her athletic
career when she won the title of vice-Italian champion in 2002, several
regional titles, interregional, and international participation in numerous A
series leagues. Later on, she left her career as a gymnast to devote
herself entirely to the study of dance; she graduated from the MAS in
Milan and participated in several television shows as a dancer. Once she
graduated, she continued her studies, specializing in technical aerial
acrobatics. In 2009, Sheila joined the Company Rhyth.mix.
Valentina Giolo
She was born in Turin on May 7, 1987. Her athletic and artistic
training began at the age of four, when she started practicing artistic
and rhythmic gymnastics. From 2001 to 2007 she participated in
several national championships series A1, participating with her
company at various international tournaments, some of which took
place in Mexico, Slovakia and Portugal. When she ended her
gymnastics career, she began studying at the School of Circus
Vertigo, from where she graduated in 2010. In 2009, Valentina
joined the Company Rhyth.mix.