Voices of British Ballet launches a new platform, with a website and podcast, to become the UK’s richest audio archive and treasure trove of untold stories of British ballet. Dance critic Jonathan … [Read more...] about Interview: Giving Voice to British Ballet – Patricia Linton talks to Jonathan Gray about Voices of British Ballet
interviews
Interview: Manuel Legris leaves La Scala’s ballet company in its best shape ever
Manuel Legris has just packed his bags and left Milan after five years at the helm of Italy’s most prestigious dance company. He has had a remarkable effect on the ballet company at La Scala. The … [Read more...] about Interview: Manuel Legris leaves La Scala’s ballet company in its best shape ever
Interview: Ernst Meisner, new Artistic Director of Dutch National Ballet
Paul Arrowsmith talks to Ernst Meisner who takes over from Ted Brandsen as Artistic Director of Dutch National Ballet in 2026. Ernst Meisner has held a newly created position at the Dutch National … [Read more...] about Interview: Ernst Meisner, new Artistic Director of Dutch National Ballet
Interview: Dominique Meyer, La Scala’s number one fan and CEO, says addio
La Scala’s retiring CEO, Dominique Meyer, is ready to leave after a five-year tenure in Milan. Along with photos and books in his office, he will be taking away his red satin chair, which has a plaque … [Read more...] about Interview: Dominique Meyer, La Scala’s number one fan and CEO, says addio
Sharif Afifi talks about his role as a dancer in Lost Dog’s ‘epic yet vulnerable’ Paradise Lost
Ben Duke’s Lost Dog dance theatre company (which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year) is bringing back the one-man show Paradise Lost (which lies unopened beside me), which starred Duke himself … [Read more...] about Sharif Afifi talks about his role as a dancer in Lost Dog’s ‘epic yet vulnerable’ Paradise Lost
Interview: Theatre designer Jérôme Kaplan – Be yourself! Always be curious and dream.
Between projects in New York, Copenhagen and Monaco, theatre designer Jérôme Kaplan finds time to talk to Paul Arrowsmith. It’s ten years since we last spoke – what have been your … [Read more...] about Interview: Theatre designer Jérôme Kaplan – Be yourself! Always be curious and dream.
Interview: Elizaveta Kokoreva, the Bolshoi Ballet’s youngest star, comes to Rome
Elizaveta Kokoreva makes her debut in the West when she dances in the Les Étoiles galas in Rome on 4 and 5 January. Elizaveta Kokoreva was promoted to the top rank of dancers at the Bolshoi Theatre … [Read more...] about Interview: Elizaveta Kokoreva, the Bolshoi Ballet’s youngest star, comes to Rome
Interview: Tenor Luciano Ganci on La forza del destino at La Scala
On 2 January, Luciano Ganci ends his run of five performances as Don Alvaro in La forza del destino, the opening opera of the season at Teatro alla Scala. His Leonora so far has been Anna Netrebko, … [Read more...] about Interview: Tenor Luciano Ganci on La forza del destino at La Scala
Interview: Jakub Józef Orliński – freedom of movement
Five years ago, in 2019, I interviewed the countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński ahead of his Glyndebourne debut. The interview was not about his singing for an opera magazine, but about his dancing for … [Read more...] about Interview: Jakub Józef Orliński – freedom of movement
Interview: meeting soprano Marigona Qerkezi who helps celebrate the centenary of the death Puccini tonight
Maybe you haven’t yet heard of Marigona Qerkezi but the soprano from Kosovo has a burgeoning career. Although she made her debut as Queen of the Night at the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman, and has … [Read more...] about Interview: meeting soprano Marigona Qerkezi who helps celebrate the centenary of the death Puccini tonight
Interview: Daniil Simkin among Les Étoiles in Milan – a man who knows where he’s going
Daniil Simkin is among a starry line up of étoiles for a gala at Milan’s Teatro Arcimboldi on 29 and 30 November. Daniele Cipriani, producer and artistic director of the Les Étoiles galas in Italy, … [Read more...] about Interview: Daniil Simkin among Les Étoiles in Milan – a man who knows where he’s going
Interview: The look of love – chatting with Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko – Part 2
Read Part One: The look of love – chatting with Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko – Part 1 Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko are often invited as a couple when they dance away from … [Read more...] about Interview: The look of love – chatting with Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko – Part 2
Interview: The look of love – chatting with Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko – Part 1
This interview is with two of the Ballet of La Scala’s most familiar faces, Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko. It was published in Dancing Times magazine in June 2022. Two months later, in … [Read more...] about Interview: The look of love – chatting with Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko – Part 1
Interview: Weston Hurt – the baritone with a limb difference – makes his debut with English National Opera as Rigoletto
Last night English National Opera in London had in American baritone Weston Hurt, a new Rigoletto. Born without a right hand, Hurt is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities, … [Read more...] about Interview: Weston Hurt – the baritone with a limb difference – makes his debut with English National Opera as Rigoletto
Interview: Choreographer and educator Adam Benjamin on disability and dance – don’t confuse the icing with the cake
Adam Benjamin is the co-founder of Candoco Dance Company. The blurb on the company’s site announces that it’s a “world-leading professional and inclusive dance company, continually expanding … [Read more...] about Interview: Choreographer and educator Adam Benjamin on disability and dance – don’t confuse the icing with the cake
Interview: Italian countertenor Raffaele Pe returns to the Wigmore Hall with Vivaldi – making magic
“The main reason for making music is so that it can move people as much as it moves me.” Italian countertenor Raffaele Pe returns to the Wigmore Hall this evening, singing Vivaldi. His debut there … [Read more...] about Interview: Italian countertenor Raffaele Pe returns to the Wigmore Hall with Vivaldi – making magic
Interview: Still on an upward trajectory, the career of National Ballet of Canada’s Hope Muir – a “collector of ideas and people”
Graham Watts talks to Hope Muir, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, on the eve of the company’s London performances. Several years ago, the outstanding South African dancer, Dane … [Read more...] about Interview: Still on an upward trajectory, the career of National Ballet of Canada’s Hope Muir – a “collector of ideas and people”
Interview: Choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra on Mariposa – a Queer Tragedy inspired by Puccini’s Madama Butterfly
Choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra talks to Paul Arrowsmith ahead of the UK tour of Mariposa – "Adapting opera into non-verbal dance was an exciting, but certainly difficult." Nicknamed ‘the Pedro … [Read more...] about Interview: Choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra on Mariposa – a Queer Tragedy inspired by Puccini’s Madama Butterfly
Interview: Italian artist Cris Devil – creating his artistic world with irony and passion
Italian visual artist Cris Devil has music and movement (and occasionally dance too) at the centre of his work. Guitars are everywhere – as motifs on walls and floors or flying through the air. His … [Read more...] about Interview: Italian artist Cris Devil – creating his artistic world with irony and passion
Interview: Jennie Muskett – the Emmy-winning film composer seeking a new career writing music for dance
Graham Watts interviews composer Jennie Muskett – “I see myself as a storyteller in music.” The first worldwide tour of the revived London City Ballet, under the dynamic leadership of Christopher … [Read more...] about Interview: Jennie Muskett – the Emmy-winning film composer seeking a new career writing music for dance
Interview: Artistic Director Christopher Marney on reviving London City Ballet – small is beautiful
Christopher Marney is a brave man. At a time when many dance companies are struggling economically, Marney has revived London City Ballet, a company founded in 1978 by Harold King, a personable South … [Read more...] about Interview: Artistic Director Christopher Marney on reviving London City Ballet – small is beautiful
Interview: Roberto Bolle on turning 50 – I want to bring all those years to the stage
Next year, Roberto Bolle turns 50. Even so, it’s not hard to remember the rather shy student at La Scala’s school with an ear-to-ear grin as he’s retained much of that boyish quality. In fact, when … [Read more...] about Interview: Roberto Bolle on turning 50 – I want to bring all those years to the stage
Interview with mezzo soprano Rihab Chaieb – from goths to Mozart, Tunisia to Glyndebourne – a life of contrast
Rihab Chaieb is about to complete her 11-performance run of Carmen at Glyndebourne, the opening production of the 2024 season. She has scored a remarkable personal success in the title role. The … [Read more...] about Interview with mezzo soprano Rihab Chaieb – from goths to Mozart, Tunisia to Glyndebourne – a life of contrast
[Interview] Six quick questions for Derek Deane on the opening of his “Swan Lake in-the-round” in London
Derek Deane’s Swan Lake in-the-round was commissioned by English National Ballet in 1997 and has since been seen by over 500,000 people worldwide. It will be seen again in London’s vast Royal Albert … [Read more...] about [Interview] Six quick questions for Derek Deane on the opening of his “Swan Lake in-the-round” in London
[Interview] Jordan James Bridge on his new dance work Terra | Astra for Ballet Nights in London
The Ballet Nights ‘concept show’ was staged in October 2021 by producer Jamiel Devernay-Laurence, and after an injection of private cash the project has been going forward in leaps and bounds, with … [Read more...] about [Interview] Jordan James Bridge on his new dance work Terra | Astra for Ballet Nights in London
[Interview] Margaret Barbieri, assistant director of Sarasota Ballet, on the eve of the company’s performances at The Royal Opera House
Former Prima Ballerina and assistant director of Sarasota Ballet, Margaret Barbieri, talks to Paul Arrowsmith as the company visits London in a celebration of Frederick Ashton What are your … [Read more...] about [Interview] Margaret Barbieri, assistant director of Sarasota Ballet, on the eve of the company’s performances at The Royal Opera House
Ten years of interviewing Royal Ballet dancers, designers, choreographers, ballet masters and its director
Preparing for another 'Royal Ballet interview' this morning, made me realise how many interviews we've published on gramilano.com with dancers, designers, ballet masters, choreographers, and the … [Read more...] about Ten years of interviewing Royal Ballet dancers, designers, choreographers, ballet masters and its director
[Interview] “It is possible!” – The Royal Ballet’s Emerging Choreographer Joseph Toonga on piqués and popping
In 2021, Joseph Toonga was appointed The Royal Ballet’s first Emerging Choreographer, with the company’s Resident Choreographer, Wayne McGregor, to act as his mentor. ‘Emerging’ can be put in quotes, … [Read more...] about [Interview] “It is possible!” – The Royal Ballet’s Emerging Choreographer Joseph Toonga on piqués and popping
Interview with choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra: dance is an inherently queer art
Paul Arrowsmith talks to choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra as the iconoclast prepares to meet Edward II Working in ballet, contemporary dance and theatre, Carlos Pons Guerra creates work that … [Read more...] about Interview with choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra: dance is an inherently queer art
[Interview] Choreographer Gemma Bond on returning to The Royal Ballet and her new work, Boundless
Gemma Bond’s new work, Boundless – created on Royal Ballet dancers for New Works on the main stage of The Royal Opera House – opened on 15 February 2024. It is part of the company’s Festival of New … [Read more...] about [Interview] Choreographer Gemma Bond on returning to The Royal Ballet and her new work, Boundless