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Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star

26 January 2022 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Anna Rose O'Sullivan after her début as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, photo by Marcelino Sambé

It’s full steam ahead for The Royal Ballet’s Anna Rose O’Sullivan. Last year she was promoted to the rank of principal dancer with the company, in January of this year she made her debut as the Sugar … [Read more...] about Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star

[Interview] Choreographer Hervé Koubi – If we can dance together, we can live together

6 December 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Hervé Koubi - photo by Véronique Chochon-01

The Hervé Koubi Company recently brought three works to Milan, which I described as being “touching, theatrical and important”. It is the essence of Hervé Koubi’s creative output, producing dance … [Read more...] about [Interview] Choreographer Hervé Koubi – If we can dance together, we can live together

[Review] Madina – a courageous new dance work at La Scala

25 October 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Madina - 52 - Antonella Albano and Roberto Bolle, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

La Scala’s commission of a score from the prominent Italian composer Fabio Vacchi was ambitious in its scale and subject. The new dance work, Madina, choreographed by Mauro Bigonzetti, sees the … [Read more...] about [Review] Madina – a courageous new dance work at La Scala

Carla Fracci is buried in Milan’s Famedio

21 October 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Interment of Carla Fracci's ashes, Famedio, Milan, 21 October 2021 - 3

Today, in a private ceremony, Carla Fracci’s ashes were interred in Milan’s Cimitero Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery) in Milan. The main entrance to the vast cemetery is via the imposing … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci is buried in Milan’s Famedio

Zappalà Danza’s exquisite 30th Anniversary show: Redoing Bach

13 October 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

CTF_29092021_RifareBach_Ph_SalvatorePastore

The Compagnia Zappalà Danza has presented more than eighty dance pieces in its three decades of activity, and for its 30th anniversary, choreographer Roberto Zappalà wished to create a new work with … [Read more...] about Zappalà Danza’s exquisite 30th Anniversary show: Redoing Bach

The Hervé Koubi company in Milan: touching, theatrical and important

7 October 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Boys don't cry - photo Nathalie Sternalski (2)

The French-Algerian choreographer Hervé Koubi returned to the annual MILANoLTRE contemporary dance festival with three works after last year’s acclaimed Les Nuits Barbares ou les Premiers Matins du … [Read more...] about The Hervé Koubi company in Milan: touching, theatrical and important

Sergei Polunin: 700 years of inferno, purgatory and paradise

5 September 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Sergei Polunin in Paradiso, photo by Silvia Lelli

The Ravenna Festival has commissioned a new dance piece, Dante Metànoia, with choreography for Purgatory by Sergei Polunin, Inferno by Ross Freddie Ray and Paradiso by Jiří Bubeníček. The sole dancer … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin: 700 years of inferno, purgatory and paradise

Ballet22 – mxn en pointe

22 August 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Ballet22 crop

Lockdowns have been crippling for dancers and dance companies, but many have eagerly sought out silver linings and the enforced time out has given opportunities for reflection and reinvention. A … [Read more...] about Ballet22 – mxn en pointe

Roberto Bolle interview: Who I am now

7 August 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Roberto Bolle in Waves by Massimiliano Volpini, photo by Andrej Uspenski (4)

Beginnings My physique could have led me to sport or cinema, but my passion for dance showed itself at an early age. When I was three years old, I would watch dance on television and try to copy … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle interview: Who I am now

Bolshoi Ballet director on injury, race, harassment and a new theatre

1 August 2021 by Gramilano 13 Comments

Makhar Vaziev, artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet company, talks about some of the most discussed problems in ballet today, as well as wanting a third theatre in Moscow for the Bolshoi opera and … [Read more...] about Bolshoi Ballet director on injury, race, harassment and a new theatre

Interview with Svetlana Zakharova: I was afraid of gaining weight

27 July 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Caravaggio from Pas de deux for Toes and Fingers, photo by Marcello Orselli, Teatro Carlo Felice - 355

Svetlana Zakharova has been in Italy performing Pas de deux for Toes and Fingers, an evening with her husband, the violinist Vadim Repin, and four male dancers. Their next stop is Japan. [Touring] … [Read more...] about Interview with Svetlana Zakharova: I was afraid of gaining weight

More than toes and fingers: Zakharova and her boys in Italy

24 July 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Revelation from Pas de deux for Toes and Fingers, photo by Marcello Orselli, Teatro Carlo Felice - 358

Svetlana Zakharova and her chair (for Motoko Hirayama’s piece Revelation) arrived in Genoa for the annual Nervi Music Ballet Festival. And her husband came too – in fact, violinist Vadim Repin … [Read more...] about More than toes and fingers: Zakharova and her boys in Italy

A captivating dance tribute to Stravinsky at Italy’s Nervi Festival

19 July 2021 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Davide Dato in The Rite of Spring, Stravinsky's Love © Graham Spicer

A programme of dance dedicated to Igor Stravinsky on the 50th anniversary of his death launched the dance season at this year’s Nervi Music Ballet Festival. The pieces on the programme for … [Read more...] about A captivating dance tribute to Stravinsky at Italy’s Nervi Festival

La Scala’s enthralling Contemporary Evening is a triumph

12 July 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

BIRDS WALKING ON WATER - Mick Zeni and company, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala (7)

The Contemporary Evening was a triumph, with seven works: a contemporary ‘classic’, some lesser-known pieces, and a new creation. La Scala is finding it difficult to attract audiences back to the … [Read more...] about La Scala’s enthralling Contemporary Evening is a triumph

Davide Dato stars in the Italian premiere of Uwe Scholz’s The Rite of Spring

6 July 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Davide Dato rehearses Uwe Scholz's Rite of Spring with Giovanni di Palma © Gabriele Schacherl (5)

Uwe Scholz's version of Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring) will be performed for the first time in Italy by Davide Dato, principal dancer at the Vienna State Ballet. The work is part of an … [Read more...] about Davide Dato stars in the Italian premiere of Uwe Scholz’s The Rite of Spring

A new John Neumeier work brings two Italian dancers back home

4 July 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Jacopo Bellussi and Alessandro Frola in Peter and Igor, Nijinsky Gala, Hamburg 2021 38 © Kiran West

Jacopo Bellussi and Alessandro Frola return to Italy to perform John Neumeier’s new work Peter and Igor in Stravinsky’s Love – a show commemorating the 50th anniversary of Stravinsky’s … [Read more...] about A new John Neumeier work brings two Italian dancers back home

[Interview] Baryshnikov on the Venice Biennale, death and laying himself bare

29 June 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Mikhail Baryshnikov in Not Once crop

Mikhail Baryshnikov will open this year’s Biennale di Venezia – virtually – in the world premiere of Not Once, an ‘art installation with film’ by Jan Fabre, the Belgian multidisciplinary artist: … [Read more...] about [Interview] Baryshnikov on the Venice Biennale, death and laying himself bare

António Casalinho – Introducing the 17-year-old Portuguese Dancer

9 March 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

António Casalinho, photo by Nikita Alba crop

17-year-old António Casalinho has just won the Prix de Lausanne. It’s one of a surprisingly long list of competitions where he was placed, with wins including the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix … [Read more...] about António Casalinho – Introducing the 17-year-old Portuguese Dancer

[Interview] The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi: a time to reflect

6 August 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Yasmine Naghdi in rehearsal for Tarantella, The Royal Ballet © 2017 ROH. Photograph by Bill Cooper

I’ve interviewed The Royal Ballet’s principal ballerina Yasmine Naghdi several times over the past five years. The first time, she was a soloist and preparing to debut as Juliet with Matthew Ball as … [Read more...] about [Interview] The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi: a time to reflect

In conversation with Marianela Nuñez

9 July 2020 by Gramilano 7 Comments

Nunez headshot cropped

The Royal Ballet’s Argentinian principal dancer, Marianela Nuñez, is in lockdown in Buenos Aires. She went there to be near her family and partner, because now home, for Nela, is London, which also … [Read more...] about In conversation with Marianela Nuñez

[Interview] Meet Nikisha Fogo, San Francisco Ballet’s new Principal Dancer

10 June 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Nikisha Fogo, photo Yousik Kim

Swedish ballerina Nikisha Fogo will soon take up a new position in a new company when she becomes a principal dancer at San Francisco Ballet. After seven years with the Vienna State Ballet, passing … [Read more...] about [Interview] Meet Nikisha Fogo, San Francisco Ballet’s new Principal Dancer

Darcey Bussell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

23 May 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Darcey Bussell Dances Hollywood

Q&A When did you start dancing? At 5, in the Mercury Theatre behind where I lived in Notting Hill. Ballet Rambert used to use the studios as well. Why did you start dancing? I had knocked … [Read more...] about Darcey Bussell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson – so much passion

2 May 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Lauren Cuthbertson by Clive Barda

On 14 March 2020, The Royal Ballet’s principal dancer Lauren Cuthbertson was dancing Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. A rare honour. She was partnered by former … [Read more...] about Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson – so much passion

Erik Bruhn and Carla Fracci – Romeo and Juliet, 1966

26 March 2020 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Erik Bruhn and Carla Fracci, Romeo and Juliet, 1966

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 … [Read more...] about Erik Bruhn and Carla Fracci – Romeo and Juliet, 1966

Alessandra Ferri: The art of becoming a couple is the gamble of a lifetime

22 March 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Alessandra Ferri an Eleonora Duse © Kiran West

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 … [Read more...] about Alessandra Ferri: The art of becoming a couple is the gamble of a lifetime

Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique

10 December 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Coppélia with Vadim Muntagirov and Marianela Nunez, photo by Bill Cooper ROH

Everyone who has followed The Royal Ballet in rehearsal during World Ballet Day or watched the interval clips and interviews during the intervals of the company’s live cinema relays will know … [Read more...] about Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique

Save the best until last – La Scala’s triple bill shows a company in excellent form

6 December 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Martina Arduino in Bolero, photo by Brescia e Amisano 2019 03

Save the best until last. Not a bad programming policy, and with La Scala’s recent triple bill, the last was Maurice Béjart’s Boléro. Obviously, with the first item on the programme being George … [Read more...] about Save the best until last – La Scala’s triple bill shows a company in excellent form

Marianela Nuñez on working with celebrity photographer Paola Kudacki for Humanity magazine

25 November 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Marianela Nunez shot for Humanity magazine, photographed and guest edited by Paola Kudacki 08

The photoshoot for Citizens of Humanity was a brilliant experience. says Royal Ballet principal dancer Marianela Nuñez who is featured in the 13th issue of the denim label’s magazine, Humanity. It is … [Read more...] about Marianela Nuñez on working with celebrity photographer Paola Kudacki for Humanity magazine

Marianela Nuñez and Roberto Bolle lead a top-notch cast in Onegin at La Scala

24 November 2019 by Gramilano 2 Comments

20 Onegin with Roberto Bolle and Marianela Nuñez photo by Brescia and Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2019

John Cranko’s ballet Onegin was brought to La Scala in 1993 as a vehicle for Carla Fracci with Rex Harrington in the title role. It wasn’t, however, Fracci’s first contact with the ballet. Her close … [Read more...] about Marianela Nuñez and Roberto Bolle lead a top-notch cast in Onegin at La Scala

Interview: Who is Jacopo Tissi? The Bolshoi’s enigmatic Italian star talks about Moscow, Milan and London, “It certainly wasn’t easy”

4 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Jacopo Tissi in Swan Lake crop

Three years ago, Jacopo Tissi left La Scala to join the Bolshoi Company in Moscow. Makhar Vaziev, the Company’s current director, was previously the director at La Scala and had seen Tissi’s work. It … [Read more...] about Interview: Who is Jacopo Tissi? The Bolshoi’s enigmatic Italian star talks about Moscow, Milan and London, “It certainly wasn’t easy”

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NEWS

Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

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Les Étoiles – the starry Rome gala at the end of January, now with two programmes

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GRAHAM SPICER

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. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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