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obituaries

An interview with soprano Virginia Zeani, 1925 – 2023

22 March 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

9 March 2023 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Lynn Seymour as Juliet, 1965 crop

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

4 January 2023 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Denis Vieira, Staatsoper Berlin

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

2 January 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Bruno Vescovo crop, photo by Lelli e Masotti, Teatro alla Scala

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

31 December 2022 by Gramilano 4 Comments

in memoriam 2022

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

12 December 2022 by Gramilano 6 Comments

Beryl Grey as the Lilac Fairy as photographed by Gordon Anthony for the 1946-1947 season brochure of Sadler's Wells Ballet at The Royal Opera House

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

11 December 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Beryl Grey as Aurora in the 1951-52 revival of The Sleeping Beauty with the Sadler's Wells Ballet, photo by Roger Wood, ROH

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

2 November 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

1975 Swan Lake - Patricia Ruanne, photo by Erio Piccagliani, Teatro alla Scala crop

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

1 November 2022 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Patricia Ruanne

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

13 May 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

L'italiana in Algeri 7 December 1973, photo by Erio Piccagliani © Teatro alla Scala crop

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

Italian theatre director Filippo Crivelli dies at 93

6 February 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Ballo Excelsior, 2015, photo by Brescia e Amisano

Filippo Crivelli: born Milan, 27 March 1928 – died Milan, 6 February 2022 The theatre director Filippo Crivelli, who guided many artists on stage – from Maria Callas to Carla Fracci – died during … [Read more...] about Italian theatre director Filippo Crivelli dies at 93

Ezio Frigerio, the great theatre designer, dies at 91

2 February 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Ezio Frigerio with his set for Otello, 7 dicembre 2001, photo by Andrea Tamoni

Ezio Frigerio has died at the age of 91. He made theatre history alongside Giorgio Strehler, Rudolf Nureyev, Eduardo De Filippo, and Vittorio De Sica. He leaves his wife and frequent collaborator, the … [Read more...] about Ezio Frigerio, the great theatre designer, dies at 91

Choreographer Micha van Hoecke has died at 77

12 August 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Micha van Hoecke

Choreographer and director Micha van Hoecke has died after a long illness, at 77. He was a leading figure in Italian and European dance from the early 1960s. He began as a dancer with Roland Petit, … [Read more...] about Choreographer Micha van Hoecke has died at 77

Italy mourns the death of opera director Graham Vick at 67

17 July 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Graham Vick by Hugo Glendinning

Italy mourns the loss of the opera director Graham Vick who died today at 67 of Covid-related complications. Vick worked extensively in Italy and the Teatro Fenice in Venice, the Macerata Opera … [Read more...] about Italy mourns the death of opera director Graham Vick at 67

Violetta Elvin, Royal Ballet prima ballerina, dies at 97

1 June 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Violetta Elvin in 1953

The great Russian dancer, Violetta Elvin, dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet Company and prima ballerina of The Royal Ballet, died on 27 May at the age of 97. Elvin had lived in Vico Equense in the … [Read more...] about Violetta Elvin, Royal Ballet prima ballerina, dies at 97

Luciana Novaro, Italian ballerina who danced with Massine and Lifar, dies at 98

31 May 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

1953 Luciana Novaro in Le Baiser de la fée, photo by Erio Piccagliani © Teatro alla Scala crop

Luciana Novaro, a hugely important figure in Italian ballet, died on 26 May at 98. Her passing was unfortunately overshadowed by the death several hours later of the ballerina Carla Fracci, her friend … [Read more...] about Luciana Novaro, Italian ballerina who danced with Massine and Lifar, dies at 98

Remembering Carla: ballet legend Carla Fracci dies at 84

27 May 2021 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Carla Fracci 1964 Giselle photo Erio Piccagliani crop

This is the obituary I never wanted to write, and I certainly didn’t think I’d be writing it in 2021: Carla Fracci has died at 84, someone I imagined being exceptionally spritely well into her 90s. … [Read more...] about Remembering Carla: ballet legend Carla Fracci dies at 84

Jacques d’Amboise dies at the age of 86

3 May 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Jacques d'Amboise

Jacques d’Amboise has died at the age of 86. The great interpreter of George Balanchine ballets and passionate dance educator had been incapacitated after a stroke but was taken care of in his home in … [Read more...] about Jacques d’Amboise dies at the age of 86

Italian singer Milva has died at 81 – a career from pop to Berio

24 April 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

1989 concert with Zoltan Peskó, photo by Lelli e Masotti © Teatro alla Scala-crop

Yesterday, Italy lost one of its greatest singers of popular music, Milva, a singer who interpreted Brecht (working with Giorgio Strehler at Milan’s Piccolo Teatro), collaborated many times with Astor … [Read more...] about Italian singer Milva has died at 81 – a career from pop to Berio

British choreographer Liam Scarlett has died at 35

17 April 2021 by Gramilano 11 Comments

Liam Scarlett has died

Tributes to one of the most satisfying choreographers of his generation, Liam Scarlett, are flooding social media after the announcement of his death. He died on Friday 16 April at just 35. The … [Read more...] about British choreographer Liam Scarlett has died at 35

Choreographer and dancer Ismael Ivo has died at 66 from Covid

9 April 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Ismael Ivo in Venice

The choreographer and dancer Ismael Ivo has died at 66 from Covid. He was an important artistic director and organizer in the world of dance spending eight years as director of the Biennale Danza … [Read more...] about Choreographer and dancer Ismael Ivo has died at 66 from Covid

La Scala loses two collaborators to the coronavirus

15 March 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Luca Targetti and Vittorio Gregotti

Luca Targetti, the  Casting Director at La Scala for 13 years from 1997, died shortly after showing symptoms of a coronavirus infection, on 12 March. He was 63. The architect Vittorio Gregotti, … [Read more...] about La Scala loses two collaborators to the coronavirus

Mirella Freni dies at 84

9 February 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Mirella Freni, who would have been 85 on 27 February, has died at her home in Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. She had been fighting an illness for a long while and died … [Read more...] about Mirella Freni dies at 84

Conductor Nello Santi – who conducted 401 performances at The Met – has died at 88

7 February 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Santi Nello crop

The conductor Nello Santi has died at 88. He last worked at La Scala in November 2017, when he was 86, conducting Nabucco. He was born in 1931 in Adria in the Veneto region. He was the director of … [Read more...] about Conductor Nello Santi – who conducted 401 performances at The Met – has died at 88

Rolando Panerai dies at 95 – a career of tradition and adventure

24 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Rolando Panerai in 1975 in La bohème, photo by Erio Piccagliani

With Rolando Panerai we lose a star of opera that we will not see the like of again, and many of his performances have shaped the history of La Scala’s opera house. La Scala left these words today, … [Read more...] about Rolando Panerai dies at 95 – a career of tradition and adventure

Alberto Testa – Italian dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer – has died at 96

11 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Carla Fracci and Alberto Testa for the Positano Prize 2001, photo by Alessio Buccafusca

Alberto Testa was a walking encyclopedia of dance, always elegantly dressed with never a hair out of place, and was very much of another time recalling Frederick Ashton with his old-school ways. … [Read more...] about Alberto Testa – Italian dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer – has died at 96

Tenor Marcello Giordani has died at 56

5 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Marcello Giordani

Tenor Marcello Giordani died this afternoon following a heart attack – he was 56 years old. He was at his home in Augusta in the Province of Syracuse when at about 3 pm, after lunch, he felt unwell, … [Read more...] about Tenor Marcello Giordani has died at 56

La Scala remembers Jessye Norman in words and pictures

1 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Jessye Norman in Aida in 1972, photo Erio Piccagliani, crop

Jessye Norman didn’t sing very often at La Scala, but the impact on the few occasions when she appeared was great. The opera house released the following photos from its archives today to remember the … [Read more...] about La Scala remembers Jessye Norman in words and pictures

La Scala mourns the death of a tenor with a minute’s silence and moving trumpet solo

8 July 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Bellanca Giuseppe

Before the final performance of I masnadieri at La Scala yesterday evening, the curtain rose on a crowded set with the chorus, soloists, technicians and other backstage theatre workers, together with … [Read more...] about La Scala mourns the death of a tenor with a minute’s silence and moving trumpet solo

Addio Marino Palleschi – one of Italy’s most intelligent and perceptive dance critics

16 May 2019 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Marino Palleschi crop

Marino Palleschi didn’t write for a newspaper or magazine, he didn’t commentate during the interval of dance transmissions, he hardly wrote in blogs (after an early collaboration ended with … [Read more...] about Addio Marino Palleschi – one of Italy’s most intelligent and perceptive dance critics

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NEWS

New York City Ballet 2023 Spring Season is announced

Principal Brandon Lawrence to leave Birmingham Royal Ballet to join Ballett Zürich

Two new opera recordings to be released by Warner Classics/Erato

Four new Principal dancers for New York City Ballet

LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live

Royal Ballet principal dancer Laura Morera to retire

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

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Principal dancer Jared Angle to give final performance with NYCB

The Australian Ballet will tour to the Royal Opera House in August 2023

FEATURED POSTS

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

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

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

Vittorio Grigolo’s new women’s shoes and a song for Hillary Clinton

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The Royal Ballet’s Steven McRae on injury: turning weakness into strength

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Interview with tenor Lawrence Brownlee on being a black man in America: Cycles of My Being

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

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

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Interview with Anna Netrebko on her son, his autism and his abandonment by his father Erwin Schrott

Romeo and Juliet with Sergei Polunin

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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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