Carla Fracci and Manuel Legris’ Giselle masterclass from La Scala online
La Scala will stream a new recording of Giselle on 30 January. There will be two casts in the principal roles, including a debut, with eight of the company’s principal dancers and soloists in Yvette Chauviré‘s production of Giselle. The version was first performed at La Scala in 1950 and is based on the Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot choreography.
Manuel Legris, the ballet company’s new director, will have Carla Fracci as his guest during the interval. Legris was eager to involve the great étoile, who made Giselle one of her most legendary interpretations and is a source of inspiration for all generations of dancers who take on the role.
In the days leading up to the broadcast, Carla Fracci will participate in a special masterclass, which will be made available on the theatre’s social media, in which she will join Legris in working with the company dancers.
Legris has modified the production for this broadcast, and it will be shown as a tribute to Yvette Chauviré, another great Giselle.
There will be one cast for the first act and another for the second. The first act will see Martina Arduino as Giselle (a role debut) with Claudio Coviello as Albrecht; the second act will be performed by Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko, with Virna Toppi as Myrtha. Marta Romagna and Mick Zeni lead the royal court, and Antonella Albano and Nicola Del Freo dance the peasants’ pas de deux. Marco Agostino is Hilarion and Koen Kessels will conduct the La Scala Orchestra.
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.
