Erik Bruhn choreographed a version of Romeo and Juliet, which he and Carla Fracci danced with the Rome Opera Ballet in 1966. Between performances, they recorded the balcony scene, which today has been uploaded to YouTube for the first time. A year later, the two danced Bruhn's version with the American Ballet Theatre in New York. https://youtu.be/N02YoCdSei4 In Fracci's … [Read more...] about Erik Bruhn and Carla Fracci – Romeo and Juliet, 1966
dance
Tulsa Ballet’s wardrobe department creates masks for healthcare workers
Oklahoma's Tulsa Ballet has closed its doors to the public until 20 May due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, its wardrobe department is hard at work, creating masks for healthcare workers. Wardrobe Supervisor Tori Highfill told News on 6, These are not for patients with COVID-19, these are not for doctors and nurses with COVID-19, but they are to kind of alleviate some … [Read more...] about Tulsa Ballet’s wardrobe department creates masks for healthcare workers
Alessandra Ferri: The art of becoming a couple is the gamble of a lifetime
Alessandra Ferri has been interpreting Eleonora Duse in John Neumeier’s ballet Duse, most recently in Venice at the beginning of February. Does she feel she has anything in common with Italy’s most famous 19th-century actress? Much, starting with my approach to a work, stripping away the façades that for me have no part in an art that is an internal journey. You must know … [Read more...] about Alessandra Ferri: The art of becoming a couple is the gamble of a lifetime
Photo Album: English National Ballet in Le Corsaire
It all looks gorgeous but British companies have fought shy of Le Corsaire for a reason. The silly tale of lecherous pashas and smiling slave girls calls for a wholehearted, honey-roast acting style seldom found west of the Dnieper and the degree of difficulty is set cruelly high with enough fouettés, barrel turns, chaînés and grandes pirouettes to stock a dance competition. … [Read more...] about Photo Album: English National Ballet in Le Corsaire
Balletto di Roma in Io, Don Chisciotte: compact yet powerful storytelling
The Balletto di Roma’s take on Don Quixote – Io, Don Chisciotte (I, Don Quixote) – is a thoroughly successful reimagining of the story that uses the Minkus ballet score for an hour of compact yet powerful storytelling. The Balletto di Roma is not to be confused with the Rome Opera Ballet: it is a contemporary dance group, founded sixty years ago in Italy’s capital. The … [Read more...] about Balletto di Roma in Io, Don Chisciotte: compact yet powerful storytelling
La Scala loses two collaborators to the coronavirus
Luca Targetti, the Casting Director at La Scala for 13 years from 1997, died shortly after showing symptoms of a coronavirus infection, on 12 March. He was 63. The architect Vittorio Gregotti, responsible for designing the 2000-seater Teatro Arcimboldi, La Scala’s temporary home when it was closed for modernisation in 2002, died this morning after being infected with the … [Read more...] about La Scala loses two collaborators to the coronavirus
La Scala and all Italian theatres closed until 3 April – a tenor tests positive for the coronavirus
The hoped-for reopening of La Scala after the closure of all theatres and cinemas in northern Italy has been setback after a tenor working in the theatre tested positive for the coronavirus. He was last in the theatre on 26 February for a rehearsal of Salome, a production by Damiano Michieletto with Riccardo Chailly conducting that was to have opened on 8 March. Rehearsals were … [Read more...] about La Scala and all Italian theatres closed until 3 April – a tenor tests positive for the coronavirus
David Hallberg becomes new head of Australian Ballet – Farewell gala in 2021
David Hallberg at La Scala David Hallberg will become the new artistic director of the Australian Ballet, taking over from former principal dancer David McAllister, who has directed the company for two decades. Hallberg's last performances as a dancer will be in 2021, when he will fulfil previous commitments, culminating in a farewell gala with American Ballet … [Read more...] about David Hallberg becomes new head of Australian Ballet – Farewell gala in 2021
Review: Enthralling programme of 5 works by Hans van Manen and Roland Petit at La Scala
An unusual mixed bill at La Scala showcased the works of two choreographers: Hans van Manen and Roland Petit. Two of the van Manen pieces were new to the company, though his Adagio Hammerklavier, which opened the programme, was performed in Milan in 1985. Adagio Hammerklavier was created in 1973 (the men wear leg-warmers and choker necklaces!) to the considered adagio of … [Read more...] about Review: Enthralling programme of 5 works by Hans van Manen and Roland Petit at La Scala
La Scala cancels performances due to coronavirus outbreaks
La Scala has announced that performances from today onwards are cancelled in light of the coronavirus threat. Tonight there was to have been a recital by soprano Aleksandra Kurzak. Italia has 130 people under observation or ill, and in the Lombardy region, where Milan is the capital, there are 93 cases. The situation has worsened dramatically in the last 48 hours. Some … [Read more...] about La Scala cancels performances due to coronavirus outbreaks
