Herman Cornejo, living legend of classical ballet

To say that Herman Cornejo already occupies a privileged place in the dance firmament is not an exaggeration. The Argentine dancer has been a member of the American Ballet Theatre, the most prestigious classical ballet company in the United States, for 25 years. In this institution, he performed the most iconic roles in the dance repertoire, from Romeo in love, from Romeo and Juliet to the brave soldier in The Nutcracker.

And in a few days, German, the main dancer of this troupe, will write another page in his impressive career: he will play Pedro in “Como agua para Chocolate”, a production that will premiere at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. , in Costa Mesa., and which was conceived by the English choreographer Christopher Wheeldon.

“It’s something different from what we’re used to,” Herman said in a recent interview. “Christopher brings this, which is more based on the theatrical part.”

This work, created in collaboration with the Royal Ballet, recreates the story of Like Water to Chocolate, a successful novel written by Mexican Laura Esquivel that tells the story of Mexico in the late 19th century; it develops an impossible love between Tita and Pedro, its protagonists.

This will be the first time Herman plays a Hispanic character in his career as a dancer. In the blockbuster Como agua para Chocolate, filmed by Mexican Alfonso Arau in 1992 based on the book by Esquivel, the role of Pedro was played by Italian actor Marco Leonardi.

During the choreography, Herman revealed that the troupe had the opportunity to speak with Laura Esquivel, who revealed secrets about her romance that are not openly seen in the text, including who each of the sisters in her story represents.

“One of them is a conservative, the other is a liberal, and the third is Tita, who believes that everything changes, starting with one,” he said.

The music that accompanies this ballet is original and composed by Joby Talbot. The Pacific Symphony Orchestra will be responsible for performing the pieces live at Segerstrom performances. This group will be headed by the Mexican Alondra de la Parra.

Herman, 41, will wear partner Cassandra Trenari, who was promoted to lead singer of ABT in 2020.

Following performances in Southern California, ABT will present this ballet at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and will be on stage from late June to July 1 during ABT’s summer season at Lincoln Center.

Herman has no plans to leave ABT just yet, and neither do the handful of Latin American dancers who until a few years ago held the highest positions in the troupe, among them the Spaniard Angel Corella and the Argentinean Paloma Herrera.

“I think there is always something new to discover,” he said. “I still continue with this happiness to do what I do, and I feel like I can give so much more; My goal is to bring a much larger audience to the theatre, and in my case a much larger Hispanic audience.”

In detail:

What: Like water to chocolate, with the American Ballet Theater

When: from Wednesday to April 2

Where: Segerström Art Center, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa

How: tickets from $29; scfta.org reports