Vlastimil Harapes is no longer with us
15/5/2024
Vlastimil Harapes, a soloist emeritus and former director of the Czech National Ballet, laureate of the Thalia Prize for life-long achievement in ballet, holder of the titles Meritorious and National Artist, passed away today. Permanently synonymous with the Czech National Ballet, he was a man of diverse talents, an accomplished actor, singer and dance teacher too.
Whatever role he undertook, he always radiated an immense thirst for life, seeking of the unknown, belief that there is somewhere in something that which makes life worth living and celebrating.
Petr Weigl, staged director
Today at noon, Vlastimil Harapes, a soloist emeritus and former director of the Czech National Theatre, left us for good.
The active career of ballet artists is mercilessly circumscribed by time, fleeting youth, limited physical strength. Dancers cease performing on stage at the time when they are fully mentally robust, when other professionals are usually yet to each the peak of their success. Owing to the dance art’s theatre magic, dancers become legends in their lifetimes.
As a dancer, Vlastimil Harapes abounded in elegance, refined culture, musicality and acting skills, dazzling by technical brilliance with calm and steady certainty.
Due to his dance mastery and charismatic stage presence, he mesmerised and won the hearts of several generations of theatre lovers. A truly multitalented artist and magnificent dancer, he markedly contributed to enhancing ballet’s popularity.
The premiere of the Czech National Ballet production of Coppélia has been dedicated to Vlastimil Harapes.
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