Recognized as one of Italy’s foremost choreographers on the global stage, Jacopo Godani was born in La Spezia, Italy, where he began training in classical ballet and modern dance techniques. In 1986, he continued his studies at Maurice Béjart’s prestigious international dance center, Mudra, in Brussels.
From 1991 to 2000, Godani was a prominent soloist with William Forsythe’s Ballet Frankfurt, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s groundbreaking repertoire. He collaborated closely with Forsythe on the choreographic development of many of the company’s most influential works.
As a choreographer, Godani has created works for some of the world’s leading dance companies, including:
- The Royal Ballet Covent Garden
- Compañía Nacional de Danza
- Nederlands Dans Theater
- Royal Danish Ballet
- Ballet British Columbia
- Le Ballet du Capitole de Toulouse
- Teatro alla Scala
- Sydney Dance Company
- Israeli Opera Ballet & Suzanne Dellal Centre
- Het Nationale Ballet
- Aterballetto
- Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
…and many others.
In 2015, Godani was appointed Artistic Director and Choreographer of the Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company, a position he held until 2023.
Godani’s artistic vision extends beyond choreography; he conceives and designs every aspect of his productions, from spatial composition and lighting to set elements, dramaturgical texts, costumes, and even original music for select performances. His interdisciplinary approach and distinctive aesthetic have cemented his reputation as a visionary in contemporary dance.
Copyright: Rahi Rezvani
