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
interviews
Interview with Svetlana Zakharova: I was afraid of gaining weight
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
[Interview] Baryshnikov on the Venice Biennale, death and laying himself bare
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
Jonas Kaufmann on his Verona debut, new album, and love of Italy
This season, Jonas Kaufmann makes his debut at Verona’s Arena. I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment. To sing in the Arena, one of the most magical places in the world, has been a dream … [Read more...] about Jonas Kaufmann on his Verona debut, new album, and love of Italy
Two ballet dancers on returning to the stage and dancers’ mental health
Dancers are emerging after the latest lockdown in many different ways. Some are lucky to have performed in their company’s theatre, without an audience, for online video streaming. Others find … [Read more...] about Two ballet dancers on returning to the stage and dancers’ mental health
Dancing Words – Roberto Bolle talks about his new book
Parole che danzano (Dancing Words) – Roberto Bolle's new book Over the years, there have been several coffee table books dedicated to the career and physique of Roberto Bolle. Parole che danzano … [Read more...] about Dancing Words – Roberto Bolle talks about his new book
Zubin Mehta reflects on a life in music on the eve of his 85th birthday
Zubin Mehta was rehearsing Così fan tutte in his beloved Florence, where he has collaborated for almost 60 years. I love this city, I am now part of the furniture. Intendent [Alexander] Pereira … [Read more...] about Zubin Mehta reflects on a life in music on the eve of his 85th birthday
António Casalinho – Introducing the 17-year-old Portuguese Dancer
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
Bryn Terfel and his first UK opera appearance after lockdown
After lockdown, Bryn Terfel’s first UK opera appearance will be as Falstaff at Grange Park Opera in June. Grange Park Opera was founded in 1998 by Wasfi Kani and has since staged more than 75 … [Read more...] about Bryn Terfel and his first UK opera appearance after lockdown
[Interview] Antonio Pappano on adapting in strange times
Today is Antonio Pappano’s last day of quarantine after arriving in Italy to conduct a live-streamed performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah on 29 January with the Orchestra and Chorus of Santa Cecilia in … [Read more...] about [Interview] Antonio Pappano on adapting in strange times
[Interview] Cecilia Bartoli: Baroque music is for the soul
Why is Baroque music so popular? Baroque music is for the soul, connected to a period when there was great freedom of expression, which today we’ve lost. There is an aspect of Baroque music that … [Read more...] about [Interview] Cecilia Bartoli: Baroque music is for the soul
[Interview] Roberto Bolle: I’m very focused on what I do… that’s a difficult pact for anyone
Dedication I know I gave up my childhood, adolescence and youth, and I am also aware that those times will never come back. I was a soldier, always on the march. But I am not one of those … [Read more...] about [Interview] Roberto Bolle: I’m very focused on what I do… that’s a difficult pact for anyone
Interviews with 3 Royal Ballet principals: Nuñez, Cuthbertson, Naghdi
I hope you have enjoyed, or still are enjoying, World Ballet Day 2020. During the long segment from The Royal Ballet you will have seen Marianela Nuñez and Yasmine Naghdi during class and in … [Read more...] about Interviews with 3 Royal Ballet principals: Nuñez, Cuthbertson, Naghdi
[Interview] The Royal Ballet’s director, Kevin O’Hare, on returning to the Covent Garden stage
The Royal Ballet’s director, Kevin O’Hare, says about lockdown, I needed [the dancers] as much as they probably needed me. I think we have managed to keep the company spirit. Of course, we have … [Read more...] about [Interview] The Royal Ballet’s director, Kevin O’Hare, on returning to the Covent Garden stage
Nureyev on staging the “ballet of ballets” The Sleeping Beauty
Rudolf Nureyev first staged Sleeping Beauty at La Scala in Milan. On 22 September 1966, the curtain went up on La Bella addormentata nel bosco with sets and costumes by Nicholas Georgiadis, Nureyev … [Read more...] about Nureyev on staging the “ballet of ballets” The Sleeping Beauty
[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] Meet Nikisha Fogo, San Francisco Ballet’s new Principal Dancer
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
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
Riccardo Chailly on life in the time of the coronavirus
My wife and I have spent our lives travelling and usually we've returned home exhausted by the weight of our bags full of books and music we'd bought. I could only glance at part of this vast library … [Read more...] about Riccardo Chailly on life in the time of the coronavirus
