La Scala pays tribute to Carla Fracci

La Scala is extremely saddened by the news of Carla Fracci's death today at her home in Milan. The theatre, the city and dance have lost an historical, legendary figure who left a strong mark on our identity and made a fundamental contribution to the prestige of Italian culture throughout the world.

“Together with Maria Taglioni, Carla Fracci has been the most important personality in the history of dance at La Scala,” said Indentant Dominique Meyer. “Having grown up at our Dance Academy, she has intimately linked her name to the history of this theatre. In recent months, I have had the pleasure of welcoming her to La Scala several times, where she so often came, and in January we were delighted to have her back to pass on her experience to the young performers of Giselle, which was an unforgettable moment for everyone. We will always think of her with affection and gratitude, remembering the smile of the last days we spent together when she felt she had come home.”

The director of the ballet company, Manuel Legris said: “She leaves us in wonder, on the tips of her toes like Giselle, a spirit that remains with us, filling the rehearsal rooms, the stage and our hearts, like her always present energy, which enchanted and fascinated us when she returned to embrace our theatre and its artists. The great void that she leaves at the same time makes us feel full and rich with all of her life and career, which is part of ballet history. We are privileged to have shared her art, a legendary model and source of inspiration for all generations of dancers”.

Gramilano( Editor )

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people “who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like”. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.

His scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the ‘Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times magazine.