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
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[Interview] Michael Spyres and Lawrence Brownlee on their new Rossini album
Tenors Michael Spyres and Lawrence Brownlee celebrate the star singers of Rossini’s time in a new album, Amici e Rivali (Friends and Rivals). The disc features arias, duets, and trios from seven of … [Read more...] about [Interview] Michael Spyres and Lawrence Brownlee on their new Rossini album
[Interview] The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi: a time to reflect
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
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 with The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson – so much passion
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
Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique
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
Introducing 19-year-old Canadian dancer Shale Wagman: from Lausanne to ENB to the Mariinsky
Canadian dancer Shale Wagman turned 19 last May. Soon after he was guesting at the Mariinsky Theatre. What’s more, it was his first time dancing a principal role. Ever. Last season – his first as a … [Read more...] about Introducing 19-year-old Canadian dancer Shale Wagman: from Lausanne to ENB to the Mariinsky
Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up
In an interview, before several appearances in the Italian peninsula over the next two months, Sergei Polunin said, I deeply believe in love. It’s a universal feeling; everyone wants to love and be … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up
In conversation with Jakub Józef Orliński
Jakub Józef Orliński is the new countertenor name to add to an ever-growing roster of artists who are selling discs and selling out concert halls in this once rarefied area of the vocal arts. Polish … [Read more...] about In conversation with Jakub Józef Orliński
Meet Francesco Gabriele Frola — National Ballet of Canada and English National Ballet’s new Principal Dancer
Italian ballet dancer Francesco Gabriele Frola has been promoted to Principal Dancer of the National Ballet of Canada and at the same time becomes a Principal at English National Ballet. Dance is in … [Read more...] about Meet Francesco Gabriele Frola — National Ballet of Canada and English National Ballet’s new Principal Dancer
Interview with Anna Netrebko on her son, his autism and his abandonment by his father Erwin Schrott
Anna Netrebko, soon after her performances of Andrea Chénier at La Scala, talked about her son, his autism and the abandonment by his father, bass-baritone Erwin Schrott. When I realized that Tiago … [Read more...] about Interview with Anna Netrebko on her son, his autism and his abandonment by his father Erwin Schrott
Interview with tenor Lawrence Brownlee on being a black man in America: Cycles of My Being
A new song cycle exploring the realities of life as a black man in America will receive its world premiere performance with Opera Philadelphia tonight, then in Chicago at the DuSable Museum of African … [Read more...] about Interview with tenor Lawrence Brownlee on being a black man in America: Cycles of My Being
Top opera singers discuss how they choose and prepare new roles
Opera singing is a high-wire profession. Only the most tone-deaf will not wince when a note is off. It is all too obvious when part of a role lies too high, or too low or, indeed, hovers too much … [Read more...] about Top opera singers discuss how they choose and prepare new roles
Derek Deane on 20 years of his Swan Lake ‘in the round’
Swan Lake 'in the round' has been performed for 7 seasons at the Royal Albert Hall since its conception in 1997, so this year marks its 20th anniversary. It has also been seen in Melbourne, Sydney, … [Read more...] about Derek Deane on 20 years of his Swan Lake ‘in the round’
Thomas Hampson answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? In the crib. Apparently, I was a very vocal baby … no seriously, I already sang as a child. Why did you start singing? I loved tunes and music always … [Read more...] about Thomas Hampson answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
In conversation with Luca Pisaroni: back to Milan with his La Scala debut
Italian bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni will make his house debut at La Scala in 2017 as Leporello. It will be only the second opera he has sung in Italy. The performances of Don Giovanni are just before … [Read more...] about In conversation with Luca Pisaroni: back to Milan with his La Scala debut
Dutch National Ballet’s Marijn Rademaker on injury and recovery
'Being injured is part of our job, it happens, we will get back stronger!' That’s what we say when we try to sweet talk ourselves and make it ok. But it always hurts. Being injured means dealing with … [Read more...] about Dutch National Ballet’s Marijn Rademaker on injury and recovery
The Royal Ballet’s Steven McRae on injury: turning weakness into strength
In 2007, I entered the stage as Romeo and I honestly thought that I was living the dream. I was on the Royal Opera House stage dancing alongside one of the world’s greatest ballerinas, Alina … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet’s Steven McRae on injury: turning weakness into strength
Dance injuries from the ballet dancer’s point of view: top stars share their experiences
To get an insider's view of dance-related injuries, some leading dancers talked to Gramilano about their experiences – how they coped both physically and mentally – and gave advice to help … [Read more...] about Dance injuries from the ballet dancer’s point of view: top stars share their experiences
Renata Scotto vs Maria Callas – the 1970 fight at La Scala
When Renata Scotto made her début in I vespri siciliani at La Scala to open the theatre’s season on 7 December 1970, one of the singers that she admired the most was in the theatre. Maria Callas had … [Read more...] about Renata Scotto vs Maria Callas – the 1970 fight at La Scala
How to stage a ballet… Maina Gielgud explains
The indefatigable Maina Gielgud is a freelance stager, guest teacher and coach. In 1983, two years after leaving her successful and varied career as a dancer, she became Artistic Director of the … [Read more...] about How to stage a ballet… Maina Gielgud explains
The Tricks of the Trocks: powder, ice and pointe shoes
The audiences laugh, sometimes the dancers laugh, but getting a dozen or so male dancers on pointe through more than one hundred performances a year is no laughing matter. Being a Trock is a serious … [Read more...] about The Tricks of the Trocks: powder, ice and pointe shoes
Franco Fagioli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? I don't remember exactly when… Why did you start singing? Because it felt good. Which singers inspired you most when you were young? ABBA. Which singer do you … [Read more...] about Franco Fagioli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Vittorio Grigolo’s new women’s shoes and a song for Hillary Clinton
Vittorio Grigolo is not normal. While no artist is normal - and some are downright strange - Grigolo is something of an eccentric, both onstage (just look at that marvellous baroque bowing he does) … [Read more...] about Vittorio Grigolo’s new women’s shoes and a song for Hillary Clinton
You choose it out of Love! Dancing with the Khan-MacKay family
Dancing, like acting and singing, often runs in the family. There are countless dancers whose parents danced: Zenaida Yanowsky (Royal Ballet), Yury Yanowsky (Boston Ballet) and Nadia Yanowsky (Het … [Read more...] about You choose it out of Love! Dancing with the Khan-MacKay family
Vadim Muntagirov answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? When I was 7 years old. Why did you start dancing? Because my Mum, Dad and sister are principal dancers, and also because I love the ballet art form. Which … [Read more...] about Vadim Muntagirov answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?
When Roberto Bolle popped out and in of the closet four years ago internet forums and gossip rags foamed at the mouth. Openly gay ballet dancers, like openly gay actors and singers, are few and far … [Read more...] about In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?
Joyce DiDonato answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? I can't ever remember I time when I didn't sing. Why did you start singing? I can't remember the first “why” but there exists now a definite need to do it. Which … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
