Federico Ievoli Nominated for Thalia Awards

Life and Artistic Career

Federico Ievoli comes from Naples, Italy. He studied at the Accademia Teatro alla Scala in Milan, one of Europe’s most prestigious ballet schools.

He joined the Czech National Ballet in 2015 as a member of the corps de ballet. He was gradually promoted to demi-soloist (2019), became a soloist in January 2020, and in April 2021 was appointed Principal Dancer of the company.

His repertoire is extraordinarily wide, ranging from classical titles to modern and contemporary works. In classical ballet, he has stood out in roles such as Romeo (Romeo and Juliet), Lensky (Onegin), and Franz (Coppélia). He is also prominent in contemporary repertoire, performing choreographies by Jiří Kylián, Ohad Naharin, and Emanuel Gat.

Federico Ievoli also represents the National Theatre on international gala performances – for instance in Ostrava, Oslo, Osaka, and Shanghai. In 2023, he received the Sfera d’Oro per la Danza award as the best Italian dancer working abroad.

Des Grieux – A Role on the Border Between Drama and Dance

Kenneth MacMillan’s ballet L’Histoire de Manon is one of the most powerful dramatic works in the ballet repertoire. It demands not only perfect technical mastery but, above all, the ability to convey deep theatrical expression. The character Des Grieux is a romantic hero torn by passion, desire, and loss – a combination of emotions that provides the performer with an opportunity for an extraordinary artistic achievement.

In Ievoli’s interpretation, Des Grieux was portrayed with exceptional sensitivity and conviction. Critics praised his ability to combine virtuosic dance technique with the psychological depth of the character, elevating his performance beyond the boundaries of conventional dance interpretation.

Dance historian Helena Kazárová writes: “Federico Ievoli, in the role of Des Grieux, left a profound impression with his noble intensity and emotional depth. His portrayal emphasized both romantic fervor and inner vulnerability.”

Critic Roman Vašek adds: “Full of passion and subtlety, Federico Ievoli delivered a convincing performance as Des Grieux, enhancing the overall emotional impact of the evening.”

These responses confirm that his nomination is entirely deserved – Ievoli not only dances but truly tells a story through movement.

Thalia Award Nomination

Federico Ievoli’s nomination reflects his extraordinary combination of dance technique and dramatic acting.
The role of Des Grieux posed a new challenge for the dancer – physically demanding, psychologically complex, and emotionally exhausting. Ievoli demonstrated that he can convey the full spectrum of human emotions through dance.

At the same time, his performance reinforced the position of the Czech National Ballet as a company capable of presenting world repertoire at the highest level.

The Actors’ Association, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Minister Martin Baxa, will present the Thalia Awards on November 1, 2025, at the historic National Theatre building. Regardless of the outcome of this year’s Thalia Awards, the nomination itself represents significant recognition of Federico Ievoli’s long-term dedication and artistic growth. Should he win, it would further solidify his standing not only within the company but also on the Czech dance scene as a whole.

Federico Ievoli demonstrates that dance is not merely an aesthetic form of movement but a profound expression of human experience – and it is precisely this quality in his portrayal of Des Grieux that makes for an exceptional theatrical experience.

Among other nominees was Romina Contreras, former Principal Dancer of the Czech National Ballet, for her portrayal of Manon in the same ballet.