Tim Matiakis: Greek ballet soloist in Royal Danish Ballet

At just 26, soloist Tim Matiakis has already danced in three major European companies – the Royal Swedish Ballet, the Royal Ballet and now the Royal Danish Ballet. Since arriving in Copenhagen in the summer of 2004, he has danced a wide variety of ballets and is currently having roles created on him in two new productions. Recently, I had the chance to talk with Matiakis about his experiences in Stockholm, London and Copenhagen.
Matiakis appears in a repeat performance on January 15th in a new production of a unique ballet gala at the “Megaron” Athens Concert Hall cooperation with the Greek National Opera.
The principal roles will be danced by guest dancers from some of the major theatres in Europe: Eleonora Abbagnato, principal dancer with the Paris Opera Ballet; Shoko Nakamura and Wieslaw Dudek, principal dancers with the Berlin Ballet; Anastasia and Denis Matvienko, principal dancers with the St. Petersburg Mariinski Theatre Ballet; Tim Matiakis, soloist with the Royal Danish Ballet; and Benjamin Peck, principal dancer from the Paris Opera Ballet. Also taking part in this star-studded performance will be the principal dancers, soloists and dancers from the corps de ballet of the Greek National Opera. Music will be played by the National Opera Orchestra under the direction of Ilias Voudouris.
Born in 1979, to a Swedish mother and a Greek father, soloist Tim Matiakis has already danced in major European companies (the Royal Swedish Ballet, the UK Royal Ballet, and now the Royal Danish Ballet).
In an interview with a Greek daily, Matiakis talks about his ‘first steps’ in classical ballet and shares his thoughts about the art’s future. “I have always sought to bring a balance between classical and modern ballet,” he confesses. Matiakis believes that classical dance must open its eyes to what is happening outside its system and even use mass media to revitalize its image, without forsaking its core essence.
(source: voice of greece)