The dancer and ballet director Anna Razzi has died at the age of 85. She was honorary president and director of the ballet company at Teatro San Carlo in Naples from 2006 to 2009, and was well … [Read more...] about Anna Razzi, former étoile of La Scala Ballet, has died at 85
obituaries
Choreographer Hans van Manen has died at 93
Hans van Manen died yesterday, 17 December 2025, at the age of 93. Van Manen (b. 11 July 1932 in the Netherlands) was the best-known choreographer of the Netherlands for over sixty years and … [Read more...] about Choreographer Hans van Manen has died at 93
Teatro La Scala pays tribute to Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani – who died yesterday in Milan at the age of 91 – was a pillar of Milanese cultural life, including his support for opera and ballet at Teatro della Scala. In 1997, when the La Scala … [Read more...] about Teatro La Scala pays tribute to Giorgio Armani
Director and designer Robert ‘Bob’ Wilson dies at 83
Robert 'Bob' Wilson, one of the most important innovators of the contemporary theatre scene, has died – he was 83 years old. Born in Waco, Texas, in 1941, the multidisciplinary director, author and … [Read more...] about Director and designer Robert ‘Bob’ Wilson dies at 83
Roberto De Simone, Italian stage director, playwright, composer and musicologist has died at 91
Born, 25 August 1933 in Naples, Italy – Died, 6 April 2025 in Naples, Italy (aged 91) Roberto De Simone, Italian stage director, playwright, composer and ethnomusicologist, died today in his … [Read more...] about Roberto De Simone, Italian stage director, playwright, composer and musicologist has died at 91
La Scala ballerina Antonella Luongo dies tragically at home
Antonella Luongo, a member of the corps de ballet at La Scala, has died. La Scala said in a statement: The artists of the Corps de Ballet, the maîtres, the director Manuel Legris, the Chorus, … [Read more...] about La Scala ballerina Antonella Luongo dies tragically at home
Ukrainian dancer Volodymyr Rakov has been killed in action – he was 30
Volodymyr Rakov, a dancer, choreographer, and winner of the 6th season of Everybody Dance! – the Ukrainian show based on the American format So You Think You Can Dance – was killed in action on 6 … [Read more...] about Ukrainian dancer Volodymyr Rakov has been killed in action – he was 30
Russian dancer Vladimir Shklyarov has died at 39
The talented Russian dancer Vladimir Shklyarov, principal dancer at the Mariinsky Theatre, has died. He was 39 years old. The press office of the Mariinsky, without specifying the cause of death, … [Read more...] about Russian dancer Vladimir Shklyarov has died at 39
Dancer and choreographer Diana Baffa-Brill dies at 81
Diana Baffa-Brill – dancer and choreographer who assisted Onna White and later re-staged scores of productions of the classic production of Mame – has died in Los Angeles after a long illness, on 13 … [Read more...] about Dancer and choreographer Diana Baffa-Brill dies at 81
Director Beppe Menegatti, husband of Carla Fracci, dies at 95
The Italian theatre director Beppe Menegatti died this morning – he was 95. Menegatti was best known for the works he created for his wife, the ballerina Carla Fracci, who he married in 1964 and … [Read more...] about Director Beppe Menegatti, husband of Carla Fracci, dies at 95
Ballerina Michaela DePrince dies at 29
A shock announcement on Michaela DePrince’s Instagram feed reads: With pain in our hearts, we share the loss of star ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose artistry touched countless hearts … [Read more...] about Ballerina Michaela DePrince dies at 29
Singer, musician and dancer Caterina Valente has died at the age of 93
Caterina Valente has died at the age of 93. The family announced her death today, though she died on 9 September. The multifaceted artist recorded 1,500 songs in nine different languages selling … [Read more...] about Singer, musician and dancer Caterina Valente has died at the age of 93
Walter Venditti, former primo ballerino at La Scala, dies at 95
Walter Venditti, a well-loved figure in Italy's ballet world, died yesterday morning. He was 95. To accompany a series of photos I took of him teaching at his ballet school when he was 84, I … [Read more...] about Walter Venditti, former primo ballerino at La Scala, dies at 95
Remembering Carla Fracci, three years after her death
In 2021, I was asked to write Carla Fracci's obituary for Dancing Times magazine. The great Italian ballerina died three years ago today, on 27 May 2021. Below we reproduce that article. Carla … [Read more...] about Remembering Carla Fracci, three years after her death
The Stuttgart Ballet mourns the passing of Dieter Graefe at 84
Dieter Graefe, former Administrator of the Stuttgart Ballet and holder of the rights to John Cranko’s ballets, died in Stuttgart on Saturday 20 April. As Cranko's heir, he ensured that, after the … [Read more...] about The Stuttgart Ballet mourns the passing of Dieter Graefe at 84
Jack Anderson – dance writer, historian, and poet – dies at 88
Jonathan Gray pays tribute to Jack Anderson It is with great sadness I record the death of the New York-based dance writer, historian, and poet Jack Anderson, who died in hospital on 20 October … [Read more...] about Jack Anderson – dance writer, historian, and poet – dies at 88
Erik Aschengreen The Critic with a Twinkle in His Eye (1935-2023)
We will not see the likes of Erik Aschengreen again. The Danish dance critic and historian, mentor of writers, dancers, ballet masters, and choreographers, died on September 9, at the age of 88. … [Read more...] about Erik Aschengreen The Critic with a Twinkle in His Eye (1935-2023)
Renata Scotto dies at 89
Savona, 24 February 1934 – 16 August 2023 Renata Scotto died during the night at the age of 89. After retiring from singing – though she directed operas and taught masterclasses until recently – … [Read more...] about Renata Scotto dies at 89
Darell Moulton – piano expert and singing teacher – has died at the age of 79
Darell Moulton, one of the UK’s top piano experts and singing teachers, has died at the age of 79 after living with motor neurone disease. Darell was an extraordinary human being who I was proud to … [Read more...] about Darell Moulton – piano expert and singing teacher – has died at the age of 79
Remembering Lynn Seymour, by her best friend
Lynn Seymour died on 7 March 2023 at the age of 83. Kenneth MacMillan created several works on her and said, “Lynn Seymour has a wonderfully expressive body, great musicality and independence.” The … [Read more...] about Remembering Lynn Seymour, by her best friend
An interview with soprano Virginia Zeani, 1925 – 2023
Virginia Zeani: 21 October 1925 – 20 March 2023 In 2015, when the soprano Virginia Zeani was 90, I was asked to interview her, and we enjoyed (yes, we laughed a lot) a long video call where … [Read more...] about An interview with soprano Virginia Zeani, 1925 – 2023
Tributes to the great ballerina Lynn Seymour who has died at 83
8 March 1939 – 7 March 2023 Lynn Seymour died on 7 March 2023 at the age of 83. The Royal Ballet announced: “The Royal Ballet is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Lynn Seymour on 7 March on … [Read more...] about Tributes to the great ballerina Lynn Seymour who has died at 83
Ballet dancer Denis Vieira dies in Cyprus at 31
Denis Vieira passed away on 29 December 2022 in Nicosia, Cyprus, following an accident at home when he fell and hit his head. He was 31 years old. Denis was born on 12 December 1991 in Joinville, … [Read more...] about Ballet dancer Denis Vieira dies in Cyprus at 31
Bruno Vescovo, former principal dancer with the La Scala Ballet, has died at 73
Bruno was a dancer of modest height with a fast dynamic, a physical quality that matched his personality. He often danced together with Anna Maria Grossi, a beautifully proportioned dancer who … [Read more...] about Bruno Vescovo, former principal dancer with the La Scala Ballet, has died at 73
In Memoriam 2022: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors
In memoriam 2022: a personal list of some of the artists the world lost in 2022 NameDatesAgeDescriptionMax Riebl26 June 1991 - 30 April 202230Australian countertenorOleksandr Shapoval9 … [Read more...] about In Memoriam 2022: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors
Dame Beryl Grey: an obituary by Mary Clarke
Beryl Grey, who has died at the age of 95, was a ballerina, director, administrator, and patron of many dance organisations, who had a distinguished international career but was quintessentially a … [Read more...] about Dame Beryl Grey: an obituary by Mary Clarke
English National Ballet pays tribute to Dame Beryl Grey
English National Ballet is deeply saddened by the news that our President and former Artistic Director, Dame Beryl Grey, has passed away at the age of 95. Dame Beryl was a dedicated ambassador and … [Read more...] about English National Ballet pays tribute to Dame Beryl Grey
La Scala and Manuel Legris pay tribute to Patricia Ruanne
The Teatro alla Scala and ballet company join the mourning in the dance world for the passing of Patricia Ruanne, a great performer and maître de ballet. She was entrusted with important … [Read more...] about La Scala and Manuel Legris pay tribute to Patricia Ruanne
Ballerina and coach Patricia Ruanne has died at 77
Patricia Ruanne was born in Leeds in the north of England in 1945, and studied at the Royal Ballet School from the age of 13, joining the Royal Ballet in 1962 where she became principal in 1969. She … [Read more...] about Ballerina and coach Patricia Ruanne has died at 77
La Scala remembers Teresa Berganza: 1933-2022
Few artists in the history of singing have served music with the elegance, freshness, and sense of style of Teresa Berganza, who died today in Madrid where she was born in 1933. For the entire … [Read more...] about La Scala remembers Teresa Berganza: 1933-2022