"I want a movie with Carolina"
When he skates, he leaves everyone breathless. Stéphane Lambiel, who will perform with Carolina at the Arena of Verona, is not only an extraordinary athlete: he can sing, act and he has a dream, about which he speaks with us.
Look into his eyes: to become a fan of Stéphane Lambiel, 29 years, you don't need to be a figure skating follower.
When I met him, he just came back from Japan. World champion and Olympic silver, since he stopped competing he travels around the world and he is the most required skater for shows and international exhibitions. Believe me: to see him dancing on the ice once is something you can't forget. Not only for the elements he does with incredible speed, but also because when he skates, it looks like he's telling a love story.
Italian audience is waiting for him: he will be one of the main characters of one of the most awaited events of the season, "Intimissimi on Ice. Opera Pop". On September 20/21, 35.000 liters of ice cubes will turn the Arena into a unique stage, where Stéphane Lambiel will skate with Carolina and other Olympic champions in a show full of special effects, which melts opera and pop. Besides the orchestra and choir, there will be top secret music stars. Choreographies by Nathan Clarke, who worked with Take That, Rihanna, Coldplay. And if you're looking for a magical universe like the ones of Cirque du Soleil, but on the ice, you won't be disappointed.
How will the show look like?It will be very innovative. In this show, nothing is left to chance. Everything, from lights to costumes, from the music to the choreographies, starts from a complex research and collaboration with the greatest experts in the world. When the artistic director Marco Balich (winner of two Emmy Awards and the most important creator of Olympic ceremonies, who will do also Rio 2016 - ndr) spoke me about the project, I fell in love with it. He has a great talent, new and incredible ideas, that no one ever had for a show like this. He created a magnificent project and I'm really excited to be in the show.
Tell us something more. What should we expect? A completely magical world, never seen before on the ice. Many surprises, starting from the shape of the rink, absolutely unusual. But above all, many emotions. We will try to show the most passionate part of figure skating.
What about the story that you'll tell on the ice?It's the representation of life. Moments of joy alternate with more dramatic ones, like in our life. But in the end, the passion prevails. I am a fire in a world of ice, dreaming about a better world.
Will this show travel around the world, after Italy?I hope so, even if the Arena is a mythical place. The feeling that you have when you dance in that theatre, with live orchestra, is something incredible.
It will melt classical music with pop. Why?It's a modern touch that doesn't want to break the tradition. There will be the best opera singers and orchestra, but also some pop moments. I'm sure that opera lovers will appreciate, but we'll be able to help young people, who do not know opera, to find out this fantastic music.
How did your love for figure skating start?When I was 6 years old I went with my family to see "The phantom of the opera", a musical on the ice. I was struck. I immediately understood that it was what I wanted to do in life. I spent my youth years training for Worlds and Olympics, but inside me I had the dream of doing shows, with lights and special effects. And this is what I do now.
Your fans call you "The Little Prince". Do you like it?Yes, I do. I really love Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's book. There is the innocence of childhood, the love for knowledge, the discovery of relationships with other people. It partly reflects me.
You're famous for being very creative. Is tecnique not enough to be one of the best?I like to give and to get emotions from people. I love the connection with the audience. Maybe that's why I started skating: before being a sport, it's art. And I didn't stop: besides skating, I studied singing, acting, and I also have projects as an announcer.
As you like being a complete show man, do you think about cinema too?I would like to do a movie, but a story on the ice, maybe with Carolina, the most elegant skater in the world.
You've known each other for 15 years. Are you just friends?When we were teenagers, we had a short love story. Now we are very good friends, we call each other frequently, sometimes we spend a weekend together. I really admire her, as an athlete, but also as a person.
Besides skating, is there room for something else in your heart?Family, friends, art. (Stéphane stops here, he doesn't want to speak about his private life. He's not single, but love is something to keep private.)
An adjective to describe your character.Passionate. My dad is Swiss, but my mother is Portuguese, and I think I got from her my passionate southern Europe character. I am an explosive mix. I love life and to challenge myself with new projects. Like this one at the Arena of Verona.