Amici della Scala celebrates Carla Fracci’s 80th birthday and Anna Crespi’s latest book

The indefatigable Anna Crespi, founder of the Amici della Scala association (Friends of La Scala), organised a party to celebrate Carla Fracci’s 80^th birthday at the organisation’s beautiful base which is in a tranquil, leafy street, just off via Montenapoleone. A magical space which, though in the heart of the city and near to the fashion district and La Scala, manages to preserve an aura of peace.

The occasion also marked the launch of Crespi’s new book, Cerchiamo insieme (Let’s Search Together), with a forward by Fracci. She wrote,

After having read this fairy tale I felt as happy as a multi-coloured bird who is trying out its new wings.

Happy indeed, as in less than eighty pages, with short, often half-page chapters, the book captures the rhythms and considerations of childhood, yet in its simplicity it conveys some deep truths.

Two girls, together with their grandmother, search for their mother inside a multi-coloured book which they enter and leave in a series of adventures; in searching for their mother they end up finding themselves. They find their mother, their own identity and their own future. The journey into the soul, which is maybe our natural home.

Painter and illustrator, Tullio Pericoli’s watercolour for the book’s cover is delightful.

The Amici della Scala publishes several books each year on artists who have worked at La Scala, but this is a personal project, and Anna Crespi’s fourth book.

After the presentation birthday cakes were brought in and glasses were raised: Happy Birthday Carla Fracci!

Anna Crespi ‘CERCHIAMO INSIEME’
Mursia, 86 pages, €8

More photos on Flickr:

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Gramilano Editor

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.