A short Talk with Gabor Oberegger (Vienna State Ballet): September 17th, 2019

It has been quite „a few years" since I first started following Mr Oberegger's career. A very steady dancer with the Vienna State Ballet. Naturally, through all those years, we have seen each other quite frequently in events, Première Parties etc. But strangely we never had a chance to talk, to exchange ideas... What I want to say is that this interview was long due and it was high time to sit down with Mr Oberegger and have a good talk.

But before I start reporting about it I want to leave here „just for the record" what I have been hearing about Mr Oberegger from his colleagues: without a single exception, all of them referred to his correctness and incredible sense of discipline... But that could not have been another way. I arrived a bit earlier to our appointment and as he entered the Café, one could feel an aura of discipline and correctness around him. It is beautiful and most interesting how body language – even if it is just a few steps from someone walking towards you – can reveal so much of a soul, so much of a personality... Fascinating.

After greeting each other, I told him about the way I work (Never writing down anything until some days have passed by and using time – in the same way, like with the coffee powder of a Turkish coffee - to place things and ideas at the right place) and then we started our talk, which was somehow time-limited.

„Dear Gabor, it has been quite a long time since I first wanted to talk to you. Thank you for taking the time! Let me start with a statement that is a „Must" for me! Everyone tells me about your seriousness (and discipline) about every single part of the job... do you also see yourself this way?"

He wondered for a short second and answered quite straight-forwardly (but in that low-keyed and quiet tone of voice that reveals so much about the manners and politeness of the ones who are REALLY talking and listening to you): „It is extremely necessary for me, as a person, to take everything very seriously. No matter what... if it a new choreography or the way that you treat your own body daily... If the basis is correct, if you treat your instrument well, you can dance much longer... To be quite frank, our every day's ballet training is, for me, the most beautiful thing during the day – the care in which we have to polish and treat our bodies in such a way so that the day will be a good one. Even accepting that some exercises are extremely necessary on days in which I do not feel so well... „

Unfortunately, I did not think about it at that precise moment, but some time ago I had the chance to watch a whole training and Olga Esina and Gabor were just in front of me. I was quite amazed by the way in which he kept his 25-year-old physique. Out of curiosity, I would have liked to ask him about his nutrition habits... but I missed that chance... why? Because I was feeling that this particular interview would give me once more a rare glimpse into an Artist's soul. And that is what makes my work beautiful and interesting for me.

„How do you start your very own creative process for a new role, a new choreography?" I asked.

„I use quite different ways to achieve a result. First I learn the choreography. This is extremely important, the structure upon I build my work and I need to know it. Once this is done, I can begin to fill the canvas with colours, shades, moods... This was the way I worked when my role in „Midsummer's Night Dream" was created by Jorma Elo for me... Sometimes I watch videos but I am very careful about that. I like to observe the individual artistic approach that each one of us has concerning a work. But I also take my liberties while building a role in my own way"

„Which were your favourite roles until now?"

Without hesitating or thinking too much he said „Coppelius and surely Paris and Tybald in Crankos's „Romeo & Juliet". Great roles, But also Gremin in „Onegin".. once more John Cranko, THE choreographer who, with very simple means, says it all "

„Which would have been your „dream roles"? „

„To be quite frank, I must say that my quality as a dancer would never have been sufficient to dance many of the soloist roles I love. But I have learned to take things as they are and make the best of it! I love roles that allow me somehow to distinguish – in the sense of differentiating - myself and give me enough „space" for my interpretation during rehearsals and also later, for the real development of it, on stage. Because that is where it really happens"

Another fascinating quality that I was confronted to during our talk: humbleness, honesty...

I admire that, especially in the world we are experiencing nowadays. In a world in which everyone creates his own „persona", invents an autobiography and live day-by-day a kind of “too glamorous” character (like one they should be playing on stage), I felt nearly awkward listening to the pure sound of such an honest answer. I like that. Chapeau!

„Nowadays, because everything became so fast and each piece has so many casts, I miss extremely more „style" on stage... what is your opinion about that, Gabor?"

„First of all. The audience is paying to watch a show and they should always get the best! Style? For me essentially important and absolutely on top of my list! We are talking about Quality! Not Quantity! Each choreographer in each Epoque or era has or had his own style. It is like speaking different languages or hearing the different sound of music when played by different orchestras"

„What about the Technique craziness of nowaday's younger generation? Has it all started with Sylvie Guillem?" I ask, teasingly.

„I am not quite sure but if you don't have her physique, her corporal possibilities... well, it would look like gymnastics, wouldn't it?"

„Are you more „at home" with abstract or classical roles?"

„Classical roles tell a story... I am much more familiar to this... „

„Is there something you would like to tell our younger readers?"

„Yes, this is a must for me: It is never too much to invest in your health. We are facing moments in which one is always asked to do more and more... And of course, everything has its price. To invest in one's health is the best investment you can make. Also, individual coaching to prevent injuries, Massage, therapy... Take good care of your instrument...„

To be quite honest: what else could one expect of a dancer that turned 46 and still has the looks and figure of a 25-year-old?

Such an example!!!!!!

Mr Oberegger has decided to move on and is giving his last performances on the stage of the Vienna State Opera as a member of the company by the end of November - although he will be soon returning as a guest dancer after that to play Dr Coppelius - a role that he might call “his own”!

„attitude" would like to thank him for the many years of joy and especially for his beautiful contribution to the State Ballet in Vienna – also for this most rewarding and interesting interview - and wishes him just the best for this new chapter of his life! BRAVO!