So what was Italy’s ballerina Carla Fracci doing in the tram depot?
The Milanese transport company is 80 years old. But why was Italy‘s most famous ballerina celebrating with the tram drivers?
Well, her father was one, and famously rang his tram’s bell as he passed in front of La Scala where the young Fracci was studying.
As she is the most famous daughter of a tramviere a photo of the dancer and her father graces the cover of a new book to celebrate the anniversary, and she was the guest of honour for the weekend’s events.
Carla Fracci, who was 75 in August, shows that she still possesses that magical expression which communicated so much to so many for so long.
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Italian ballerina Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
