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Gramilano

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opinion

Syvlie Guillem appears on Italian tv to talk about veganism

3 November 2016 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Indovina chi viene a cena   Sylvie Guillem 1

Opening her fridge and taking out a tin of “Faux Gras” – foie gras for vegans – Sylvie Guillem returns to the public eye in an Italian programme about responsible eating. I was part of that group of … [Read more...] about Syvlie Guillem appears on Italian tv to talk about veganism

Mina – legendary singer and voice of Barilla – says, “I’m gay”

10 October 2013 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Italian singer Mina, whose discs top the charts, yet she hasn't sung in public, not even in television, since 1978, has been the voice of Barilla since the '60s. Her unmistakable voice tells us why we … [Read more...] about Mina – legendary singer and voice of Barilla – says, “I’m gay”

Opera singer Rosalind Plowright comments on booing Bartoli at La Scala

9 December 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Renée Fleming described it as the worst night of her operatic life, after Celeste Aida Roberto Alagna gave a military salute and walked off stage, Katia Ricciarelli quit the opera house refusing to … [Read more...] about Opera singer Rosalind Plowright comments on booing Bartoli at La Scala

Restaurants of Ghent, Brussels and Mechelen during Flanders is a Festival

27 September 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

This is not a food blog, but as food has, in some way, influenced every dancer, musician, actor, and for that matter everyone else on the planet, I though I could squeeze it in. Food had a profound … [Read more...] about Restaurants of Ghent, Brussels and Mechelen during Flanders is a Festival

So does Ute Lemper approve of Angela Merkel? Nein!

24 August 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Ute Lemper is touring Europe with her cabaret programme which includes material by that most political of  theatre writers, Bertolt Brecht. Lemper herself has always been outspoken about her views, … [Read more...] about So does Ute Lemper approve of Angela Merkel? Nein!

Roberto Bolle’s Twitter comment on Naples and the homeless provokes an angry flood of tweets

6 February 2012 by Gramilano 6 Comments

"The homeless who camp out and sleep under the arches of the San Carlo theatre, one of Naples' jewels, are emblematic of the degradation of this city" And with this twittered comment, Italian dancer … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle’s Twitter comment on Naples and the homeless provokes an angry flood of tweets

Egyptian film star is sent to jail for insulting Islam

2 February 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

The Arab world's most famous comic actor, Adel Imam, has received a three-month jail sentence for insulting Islam in films and plays. Imam, who has frequently poked fun at authorities and … [Read more...] about Egyptian film star is sent to jail for insulting Islam

“Who’s pulling the strings in Russia’s ballet revolution?” asks The Observer’s Luke Jennings

1 January 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The ballet world was surprised when Nacho Duato (ex-director of Spain's Compañía Nacional de Danza) was headhunted by St Petersburg's Mikhailovsky Theatre, maybe enticed by the fat wallet of general … [Read more...] about “Who’s pulling the strings in Russia’s ballet revolution?” asks The Observer’s Luke Jennings

“A stripper in heels is like a ballerina en pointe” says University researcher defending lap-dancing clubs

6 December 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Judith Hanna, a 75-year-old grandmother and anthropology professor, spent an afternoon in 2005 on a beach in Jacksonville, Florida, photographing women’s swimsuited backsides, reports Bloomberg … [Read more...] about “A stripper in heels is like a ballerina en pointe” says University researcher defending lap-dancing clubs

Canadian ballet star Rex Harrington on same-sex marriage

30 July 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Since retiring from ballet in 2004, dance star Rex Harrington has been busy as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance Canada – and plans for his wedding to Robert Hope. It’s fitting, then, that he’s … [Read more...] about Canadian ballet star Rex Harrington on same-sex marriage

We don’t all need to make old bones – swimming against the Winehouse tide

27 July 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

David Berreby on bigthink.com swims against the current of popular opinion and the flood of Amy Winehouse outpourings... Why do we think longevity so natural and right? In part, I think, it's … [Read more...] about We don’t all need to make old bones – swimming against the Winehouse tide

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NEWS

Sergei Polunin now boasts three Putin tattoos

Dancing Times magazine to close after 112 years

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Rome Opera Ballet – Season 2022-2023

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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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