Interview by Despina Dimotsi. Issue 9, Summer 2026
Internationally recognized Lorena Baricalla is a multi-talented artist, a creator, innovator, and business-oriented celebrity. A visionary whose creative universes expand from ballet to art, and to fashion.
She is a Ballet Star and Choreographer, Singer and Actress. Moreover she is a Master of Ceremonies in 5 languages for international events, TV Host, Ambassadress for fashion and luxury brands with the attendance to events and red carpets, as well as an Author, Role Model and Mentor.
She is a Producer with PromoArt Monte-Carlo Production, her international company based in Monaco. She has performed in theatre and television in over 35 countries throughout the world: America, Russia, Japan, all the European countries and of the Mediterranean area, Qatar and Emirates, and of course in Monaco. She danced the works of the major choreographers: Balanchine, Ashton, Forsythe, the Russian Ballets of Diaghilev, Jiri Kilian, repertory reconstructed by Lacotte, Petipa, Massine, Fokine, Roland Petit. She worked with choreographers such as Serge Lifar, Joseph Russillo, John Taras, Moses Pendleton, Thierry Malandain, Jean Christophe Maillot, Boris Eifman, Nils Christe, Kevin Haigen, Uwe Scholz, Dieter Amman, Philippe Lizon,…
Thanks to her 3-octave voice range, she is the only lyrical soprano who sings while dancing on point shoes.
She performs numerous best hits from musicals in her shows that unite dance and song.
Full bio: lorenabaricalla.com
DD: Welcoming you to our magazine, we would like you to tell us how you started training in ballet as a young child and what inspired you to do so.
LB: I discovered dance at the age of four, and this is my very first memory. I still remember it perfectly today. I was walking with my mother in Monte Carlo when we met a friend of hers who was taking her daughter to a ballet class with Marika Besobrasova, the famous Russian teacher. She had been my mother’s teacher, and my mother decided to go along to say hello. Marika invited me to join the other girls for a round of ‘chassés,’ and from that moment, I never stopped. My destiny was sealed then and there, and I’m still in that ’round’ today! Becoming a ballerina was an inevitable choice for me.
DD: On your way to becoming a prima ballerina, what were some of the structures and challenges?
LB: Dance requires a lot of sacrifice, and I certainly didn’t have a carefree adolescence; I was already dedicated to the rigorous training necessary for a high-level career. From a very young age, I carried the responsibility of performing on major stages. Over time, this became a way of life, and today my day invariably begins with training. I follow a precise, yet varied, diet and maintain an athlete’s lifestyle, supported by all the necessary vitamins. I am mindful of my sleep, avoid going out in the period before shows or events, and focus my energy entirely on my work. Over the past few years, my career has taken on different facets as I’ve capitalized on the diverse talents I’ve developed. This has added a layer of creative and organizational skills that are deeply absorbing. The challenge is always to surpass oneself. The difficulty remains, as it always has been, in bringing my projects to life.
DD: Monaco hosts some of the biggest events in the world, from the Ballets de Monte-Carlo to Formula 1 Grand Prix. How important is for an international personality like you to have you base there, as you are a Producer with PromoArt Monte-Carlo Production.
LB: Monaco is indeed a world-renowned place—an international showcase and a crossroads that everyone loves to visit. For me, Monaco is my true hometown; my family has been here for many generations, and I have a very strong bond with the Principality. Prince Albert has often honored me with his presence at my shows and events. My very first show at the age of four was on the stage of the Monte-Carlo Opera. Subsequently, I danced my first principal roles with the Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. It was here, with the Producer and my Manager, Tino Genovese, that I founded Promo Art Monte-Carlo Production—an international company through which I continue my career. We produce major shows and events and operate extensively in the film and TV sector, both in Monte-Carlo and internationally across Europe, the Emirates, and beyond. Our current projects include a fascinating movie entitled “The desires of the Moon”, a mysterious love story written by Tino and myself.
DD: You have performed in theatre and television in over 35 countries throughout the world. Tell us a little bit about this experience. Which is your favorite country and why? How different is European culture from the other cultures around the world?
LB: Performing across the globe—first in the starring roles with the Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, and later with our production company, Promo Art Monte-Carlo Production—has been a truly wonderful experience. I cherish every country I have visited; the world is beautiful because of its diversity, and these unique traditions and customs must be preserved. As an artist—whether as a dancer, choreographer, singer, actress, or master of ceremonies—it is essential to communicate and express one’s emotions to audiences worldwide. The emotions of the soul know no barriers; they are the bridge between peoples. The term ‘cultural ambassador’ is widely used today, and I am proud to embody that role. Unfortunately, art and culture are often dismissed as superfluous or unnecessary. Even worse, they are frequently devalued, where the inane is presented as art and the baseless as culture. In a world where indifference reigns supreme, I believe it is essential to serve as an example for new generations—and for people in general—through rigor, ethics, professionalism, and passion. It was this commitment that earned me the ‘Who is Who International Award’ in Athens—a prestigious honor recognized among leaders in culture, medicine, science, AI, and entrepreneurship.
DD: Singing and dancing at the same time is considered a very difficult task. We read in you bio that “Thanks to your 3-octave voice range, you are the only lyrical soprano who sings dancing on point shoes”. Can you tell us a few things about this skill?
LB: This was, in fact, one of my greatest challenges. When I began performing with our production company, various theaters and television networks started requesting me musicals. I have always possessed a natural operatic voice, but for that very reason, I had to undergo rigorous study. After several years of intense training, I was ready to bridge these two disciplines, performing a repertoire that spans the best hits of both musical theater and opera—from The Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar to Carmen. I learned that breath control is the ultimate secret to mastering both. This versatility has allowed me to evolve into a complete performer, seamlessly blending the grace of dance with the power of the voice.
DD: How you experience ballet as a coach?
LB: Passing on my experience to the next generation is fundamental to me; it is inherent in the very nature of dance and entertainment—professions that have always been transmitted orally and can only be truly taught by those who have lived them. This is why I created the ‘Méthode Russe de Monte-Carlo de Lorena Baricalla.’ My method offers an Academic Training Programme to affiliated dance schools based on international criteria. I train the teachers first, followed by the young dancers, but the scope goes beyond technique alone. It is about training the body, mind, and soul—because a true artist is formed by nurturing every facet of the individual, whether they aim for a professional career or a high-quality amateur experience. I believe everyone deserves a quality education that provides them with values they will carry for a lifetime.”
DD: Can you describe us the innovative entertainment project “Origins – The Answer”?
LB: This is a unique, large-scale entertainment franchise that I conceived and developed alongside the producer and my manager, Tino Genovese. It is the result of years of dedicated work and significant investment, involving a team of over 60 people. We have built an entirely new world—in the vein of Star Wars—which unfolds through a grand arena show featuring 80 artists, and a cinematic trilogy based on the books I authored. The project also extends into merchandise, video games, and more. The legendary Ennio Morricone expressed a deep interest in composing the score; though he has sadly passed, we remain in close contact with his management regarding the use of his unreleased compositions. Furthermore, Sir Richard Taylor—the visionary behind the physical effects of The Lord of the Rings and King Kong—has enthusiastically expressed his willingness to collaborate. Our focus now is that major studios and leading labels buy the project to bring this production to a global audience.
DD: What do you hope readers will take away from your books?
LB: These books are a grand epic adventure through the universe, bridging the wisdom of ancient Mesopotamian tablets with the complexities of quantum theory. Conceived with the depth of sacred texts, the narrative is rich in symbolism and spirituality, allowing discerning readers to uncover profound layers of meaning. Ultimately, this trilogy seeks to restore a sense of the epic and the ethical within us all. I believe the world is in great need of this today; we must return the values of the individual to the very center of how we live our lives
DD: What are your future plans?
LB: I have many projects underway, as I am currently managing several major initiatives simultaneously. In theater, we are collaborating with Luigi Caiola, who managed Ennio Morricone for 30 years. I will be a guest artist on a major international tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Maestro’s historic debut tour. Additionally, I am partnering with the renowned opera singer Mikhail Kotlyarov for an upcoming tour featuring a new singing and dancing production. In collaboration with the international firm STK, we are also relaunching the World Sports Legends Award, a major event we created. This prestigious red-carpet ceremony honors the world’s greatest sporting icons—from Formula 1 and MotoGP to football—and I serve as the Master of Ceremonies, presenting in five languages. Parallel to this is the TV show ‘Lorena & Friends – in Monaco,’ which offers a unique look at the people and places of Monte Carlo through my eyes, blending lifestyle and stardom with a spirit of simplicity and friendship. Finally, alongside the ‘Origins’ trilogy, we have a major film project titled ‘There is Life on Mars.’ Based on a screenplay written by Tino Genovese and myself, it is a family-oriented film on a very timely subject, and I will be starring in a role I absolutely love.