From Oct. 11-14, the Bolshoi Theater will host a special performance of the ballet Romeo and Juliet, featuring for the first time Milan's La Scala theater stars, Italian Alessandra Ferri and Argentinian Julio Boca. La Scala is famous primarily for its operas, and this performance will give Muscovites the chance to see the theater's strong ballet traditions. Prima ballerina Ferri has received the prestigious Sir Lawrence Olivier Prize, and is seen as the embodiment of Juliet. She has even accepted a request from the Verona Club to respond to letters that arrive for Juliet. However, she has overcome formidable obstacles to reach this height.

At 15, a scholarship from the British Council allowed her to move from Milan to London to continue her education in the Royal Ballet School. In 1980, she won the prestigious ballet contest Prix de Lausanne, and was admitted to the Royal Ballet Company. In 1985, at the invitation of Mikhail Baryshnikov, she moved to the American Ballet Theater, and starred with Baryshnikov in the Herbert Ross film "Giselle." Since 1990, Alessandra Ferri has performed by invitation on the world's best stages. She has been a member of the La Scala company since 1992. On the eve of the La Scala performance in Moscow, LifeStyle called the modern Juliet and asked her to reveal her secrets of love.

You are recognized as the living embodiment of Juliet. Why were you chosen for this role?

I've danced Juliet for 18 years now. I was 19 when I performed the role for the first time on the stage of the Covent Garden Theater in London, and Juliet and I have been together since then - Juliet has lived inside me.

You are a symbol of Italy, just as Brigitte Bardot was a symbol of France in her time. Did you find it easy to accept the offer from the Verona Club to reply to the hundreds of letters arriving each year for Juliet?

Two years ago I was in St. Petersburg and visited the Mariinsky Theater's museum, where stage costumes of famous artists are displayed. They asked me if I wanted to donate my first Juliet costume, the dress I stored with special care. I was flattered by the request. It was so pleasing to join the ranks of Vaclav Nijinski and Anna Pavlova and to be recognized as Juliet. So it was easy for me to accept the Verona Club's offer, too.

So Juliet has grown up, and now gives advice on love?

This gladdens, excites and frightens me, especially because many of the letters I'm receiving come from very young girls. When I read these letters, I feel they're opening their hearts to me, so my answers should also come from the depth of my heart and soul.

What do they ask?

What is real love, does it exist, how does it feel? This last question both surprised and puzzled me, but I can explain what great love means to me.

Could you tell me about the love of your life?

Like probably all women, I used to believe that great passion always came together with great suffering. But it is not so. Since the day six years ago when I met my true love, Fabricio, everything has been incredibly easy and simple. It's true that each one of us has his or her other half. The moment you find it, the emptiness and loneliness which lived inside you disappears, and there are no more troubles. When I met Fabricio, his eyes and his smile opened my heart. I can be nervous, you know, difficult moments happen in everybody's life. But I only need to think of his eyes and the world opens up before me, and nothing else really matters. I say to myself: "I'm a happy woman!" And all my problems disappear.

Please don't tell me that you never quarrel ...

There are no serious quarrels. But if there is a minor dispute it only takes us a minute to make up, look at each other and laugh about it.

As far as I know, in addition to being Juliet and Manon, you are also a mother. How did motherhood affect your career?

At the moment, I'm enthusiastic about my work, more than I used to be. After Emma arrived, I felt a strong desire to work. That is why I'm so happy, and the girls don't cause me any serious trouble. I often take them with me when I travel. I think my great happiness will help them to be happy too. I live for today, and I understand quite well that when I cease to take pleasure in dancing or when dancing becomes difficult for me, I will be able to leave the stage. I have a choice and this makes me feel safe and at ease.

Juliet fans ask you to tell them about love, and you do have a lot to tell them. What would you advise these girls?

I would advise them to listen to their inner selves. Love is not real unless you feel happiness. One has to have strength to acknowledge that and have the courage to listen to his or her inner self.