Carla Fracci frolicking in the sea at 77 and returning on stage
Carla Fracci will be 77 on Tuesday, but seemingly nothing can hold her back. A couple of days La Nazione newspaper photographed her frolicking in the sea with her two grandchildren. Paparazzi shots, without Photoshop or clever lighting, make-up or posing. Fracci was spending a couple of days with her son Francesco and his wife Dina, together with their two children, at one of Italy’s most glorious seaside resorts at Forte dei Marmi.
Then there’s work. At the beginning of November La Fracci will be on stage at Naples’ Teatro San Carlo for Das Marienleben (The Life of Maria), Paul Hindemith’s cycle set to Rainer Maria Rilke’s verses. The ballet is one of her many collaborations with husband Beppe Menegatti, the Italian director, and she will be joined on stage by Alessandro Macario from the theatre’s ballet company, and Vito Mazzeo, the San Francisco Ballet principal who has just joined The Dutch National Ballet.
Life begins at 80? We’ll see…
Photo by Riccardo Dalle Luche, Lapresse
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 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.
Brava, la Fracci!
This is so inspiring. Many Blessings to you Ms. Fracci!
What an inspiration it was for me working with Carla and Beppe when I staged LES BICHES at Rome Opera. I remember seeing Carla’s GISELLE many times, and marveling at her delicacy, among other things. I was astounded, then, at the strength and command she showed when the problems arose at the opera house. Wish I could see this production in Naples. And, Beppe, I always thought that DIAGHILEV MUSAGETE should be seen in New York. I admired it so much.
BRAVO!!!