Dancing brothers Julian MacKay and Nicholas MacKay, who many will know through this blog (which started following them and their two sisters in 2013), are trapped in Russia after the government set further restrictions on movement in the wake of the coronavirus emergency, meaning that all international … Continue reading about American dancers trapped in Russia after last plane is blocked on the runway
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RECENT POSTS
Sergei Polunin on being a father and the coronavirus
Sergei Polunin in Rasputin In mid-January, Sergei Polunin became a father to a son, Mir. What sort of father am I? I follow my instincts. It’s interesting treading the boards of different stages during a … Continue reading about Sergei Polunin on being a father and the coronavirus
Free reading from Dancing Times – the complete archive is available from 2000
Dancing Times has opened up the last 20 years of its archives to all until 7 April. The monthly magazine has its think pieces, reviews, articles about technique, dance’s past and present, but I always head first to … Continue reading about Free reading from Dancing Times – the complete archive is available from 2000
Countertenor Franco Fagioli’s new CD of Baroque music to be released in May
Franco Fagioli’s latest solo album presents rediscovered treasures by Neapolitan opera composer Leonardo Vinci. Fagioli – the first countertenor to sign an exclusive recording deal with Deutsche Grammophon – teams … Continue reading about Countertenor Franco Fagioli’s new CD of Baroque music to be released in May
Countertenor David Daniels’ final fall from grace
In his final fall from grace, American countertenor David Daniels has been fired by the University of Michigan without severance pay. He joined his alma mater in 2015 as Professor of Music in Voice. Daniels was … Continue reading about Countertenor David Daniels’ final fall from grace
Erik Bruhn and Carla Fracci – Romeo and Juliet, 1966
Erik Bruhn choreographed a version of Romeo and Juliet, which he and Carla Fracci danced with the Rome Opera Ballet in 1966. Between performances, they recorded the balcony scene, which today has been uploaded to … Continue reading about Erik Bruhn and Carla Fracci – Romeo and Juliet, 1966
Tulsa Ballet’s wardrobe department creates masks for healthcare workers
Oklahoma's Tulsa Ballet has closed its doors to the public until 20 May due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, its wardrobe department is hard at work, creating masks for healthcare workers. Wardrobe Supervisor … Continue reading about Tulsa Ballet’s wardrobe department creates masks for healthcare workers
RECENT DANCE POSTS
Alessandra Ferri: The art of becoming a couple is the gamble of a lifetime
Alessandra Ferri has been interpreting Eleonora Duse in John Neumeier’s ballet Duse, most recently in Venice at the beginning of February. Does … Continue reading about Alessandra Ferri: The art of becoming a couple is the gamble of a lifetime
Photo Album: English National Ballet in Le Corsaire
It all looks gorgeous but British companies have fought shy of Le Corsaire for a reason. The silly tale of lecherous pashas and smiling slave … Continue reading about Photo Album: English National Ballet in Le Corsaire
Balletto di Roma in Io, Don Chisciotte: compact yet powerful storytelling
The Balletto di Roma’s take on Don Quixote – Io, Don Chisciotte (I, Don Quixote) – is a thoroughly successful reimagining of the story that uses … Continue reading about Balletto di Roma in Io, Don Chisciotte: compact yet powerful storytelling
La Scala loses two collaborators to the coronavirus
Luca Targetti, the Casting Director at La Scala for 13 years from 1997, died shortly after showing symptoms of a coronavirus infection, on 12 … Continue reading about La Scala loses two collaborators to the coronavirus
La Scala and all Italian theatres closed until 3 April – a tenor tests positive for the coronavirus
The hoped-for reopening of La Scala after the closure of all theatres and cinemas in northern Italy has been setback after a tenor working in the … Continue reading about La Scala and all Italian theatres closed until 3 April – a tenor tests positive for the coronavirus
David Hallberg becomes new head of Australian Ballet – Farewell gala in 2021
David Hallberg at La Scala David Hallberg will become the new artistic director of the Australian Ballet, taking over from former … Continue reading about David Hallberg becomes new head of Australian Ballet – Farewell gala in 2021
RECENT MUSIC & OPERA POSTS
J’Nai Bridges answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? Age 5, in the church choir. Why did you start singing? It was way to best communicate. Which singer … Continue reading about J’Nai Bridges answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Opera singers against the coronavirus – how one singer is lifting spirits in Milan
Gramilano happens to be a neighbour of Armando Ariostini, the baritone who works tirelessly for Casa Verdi, the retirement home for musicians, … Continue reading about Opera singers against the coronavirus – how one singer is lifting spirits in Milan
Katia Ricciarelli at 74 returns to the opera stage and talks about being a diva
At 74, after many years away from the stage, and often from singing (the wear and tear on her voice means that even singing a popular song on TV … Continue reading about Katia Ricciarelli at 74 returns to the opera stage and talks about being a diva
La Scala cancels performances due to coronavirus outbreaks
La Scala has announced that performances from today onwards are cancelled in light of the coronavirus threat. Tonight there was to have been a … Continue reading about La Scala cancels performances due to coronavirus outbreaks
Photo Album: Mirella Freni at La Scala
Mirella Freni sang at La Scala from 1962 until 1996 (an account of those years, with comments by Mirella Freni, is here). La Scala issued a … Continue reading about Photo Album: Mirella Freni at La Scala
Mirella Freni dies at 84
Mirella Freni, who would have been 85 on 27 February, has died at her home in Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. She had … Continue reading about Mirella Freni dies at 84
