Graham Spicer sees Rudolf Nureyev's The Sleeping Beauty at La Scala with an electrifying Martina Arduino as Aurora. TitleThe Sleeping BeautyCompanyBallet of La ScalaVenueTeatro alla Scala, MilanDate9 … [Read more...] about Review: Nureyev’s The Sleeping Beauty at La Scala – thrilling in its eccentricity
Agnese Di Clemente
Review: Nureyev’s Swan Lake at La Scala with Alice Mariani and Navrin Turnbull
Graham Spicer sees Swan Lake at La Scala - one of Rudolf Nureyev’s most successful choreographies. TitleSwan LakeCompanyLa Scala BalletVenueTeatro alla Scala, MilanDate10 July 2025ReviewerGraham … [Read more...] about Review: Nureyev’s Swan Lake at La Scala with Alice Mariani and Navrin Turnbull
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
Review: Alice Marini and Roberto Bolle in a new Carmen in ‘Kratz / Preljocaj / De Bana’, La Scala’s contemporary triple bill
Graham Spicer sees works by Philippe Kratz, Angelin Preljocaj, and Patrick de Bana in an uneven triple bill. TitlePhilippe Kratz - Solitude SometimesAngelin Preljocaj - AnnonciationPatrick de Bana - … [Read more...] about Review: Alice Marini and Roberto Bolle in a new Carmen in ‘Kratz / Preljocaj / De Bana’, La Scala’s contemporary triple bill
Photo Album: The Hidden Gaze – Dance Behind the Curtain, the Corps de Ballet of La Scala as photographed by Gérard Uféras
A book edited by Paola Calvetti and an exhibition curated by Paola Calvetti and Livia Corbò and designed by Margherita Palli at La Scala’s Museum – the dancers of La Scala observed though the lens of … [Read more...] about Photo Album: The Hidden Gaze – Dance Behind the Curtain, the Corps de Ballet of La Scala as photographed by Gérard Uféras
Review: Rudolf Nureyev’s The Nutcracker at La Scala – outstanding five-star dancing
Graham Spicer sees Rudolf Nureyev’s The Nutcracker at La Scala – some odd dramatic choices but the company has never looked so good. TitleThe NutcrackerCompanyLa Scala BalletVenueTeatro alla … [Read more...] about Review: Rudolf Nureyev’s The Nutcracker at La Scala – outstanding five-star dancing
Review: La Scala dances Balanchine and Robbins – mesmerising beauty and charm
Graham Spicer sees La Scala Ballet’s triple bill with George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations and Dances at a Gathering and The Concert by Jerome Robbins. TitleBalanchine and RobbinsCompanyLa Scala … [Read more...] about Review: La Scala dances Balanchine and Robbins – mesmerising beauty and charm
Review: La Dame aux camélias at La Scala – Cojocaru, Coviello, Manni, Bolle
Graham Spicer sees John Neumeier's La Dame aux camélias with wonderful performances from two casts but gets itchy for it to end. TitleLa Dame aux caméliasCompanyLa Scala Theatre BalletVenueTeatro … [Read more...] about Review: La Dame aux camélias at La Scala – Cojocaru, Coviello, Manni, Bolle
Review – La Bayadère at La Scala with Nicoletta Manni and Kimin Kim
His first entrance saut de chats provoked audible gasps, he hovered in the air for his effortless double cabrioles during the engagement celebrations of the second act, Nureyev’s eccentric solo before … [Read more...] about Review – La Bayadère at La Scala with Nicoletta Manni and Kimin Kim
[Review] Contemporary dance triple bill at La Scala – Simone Valastro’s spectacular Memento will not be forgotten
Graham Spicer sees La Scala's "Smith/León and Lightfoot/Valastro" contemporary dance triple bill in Milan TitleSmith/León and Lightfoot/ValastroCompanyLa Scala BalletVenueTeatro alla Scala, … [Read more...] about [Review] Contemporary dance triple bill at La Scala – Simone Valastro’s spectacular Memento will not be forgotten
[Review and Photo Album] Olga Smirnova and Jacopo Tissi in Swan Lake at La Scala
A Swan Lake with two of the Bolshoi Ballet Company principals who left the company after Russia invaded Ukraine – Olga Smirnova, one of Russia’s brightest stars, and the Italian Jacopo Tissi who was … [Read more...] about [Review and Photo Album] Olga Smirnova and Jacopo Tissi in Swan Lake at La Scala
[Interview] Agnese Di Clemente – La Scala’s newest Juliet is from Verona
One of the most interesting talents at La Scala is the prettily named dancer Agnese Di Clemente, a soloist with the proportions of music box ballerina – petite and graceful. The 27-year-old comes … [Read more...] about [Interview] Agnese Di Clemente – La Scala’s newest Juliet is from Verona
The second edition of the Carla Fracci gala arrives at La Scala
After the resounding success of the first edition of Gala Fracci – a tribute by La Scala to Carla Fracci – now, two years after her death (she died on 27 May 2021) comes the second edition of what … [Read more...] about The second edition of the Carla Fracci gala arrives at La Scala
[Review] Rudolf Nureyev’s Nutcracker at La Scala – lacking fizz
The return to La Scala of Rudolf Nureyev’s Nutcracker after 16 years gives back a well-loved production after the theatre flirted with versions by Duato and Balanchine, and it marks another step in … [Read more...] about [Review] Rudolf Nureyev’s Nutcracker at La Scala – lacking fizz
A refreshingly magical Giselle for a sweltering night in Milan
Have you ever given yourself a big kick up the backside for lamenting about something that others would give their eyeteeth to do? Getting ready to see the opening night of Giselle at La Scala had … [Read more...] about A refreshingly magical Giselle for a sweltering night in Milan
Wayne McGregor fascinates with his new double-bill at La Scala: AfteRite + LORE
Though Wayne McGregor’s choreography sometimes seems to ‘go against’ the music, it provokes fascinating revelations and is, however, always extremely musical. In his 2014 work Kairos, to Max Richter’s … [Read more...] about Wayne McGregor fascinates with his new double-bill at La Scala: AfteRite + LORE
[Photo Album] Wayne McGregor new work at La Scala: AfteRite + LORE
Yesterday, 24 June 2022, was the world premiere of a Wayne McGregor work entitled LORE (to the music of Igor Stravinsky's Les Noces), arriving as a 'sequel' to his work AfteRite (to Stravinsky's Le … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] Wayne McGregor new work at La Scala: AfteRite + LORE
Fracci Gala: La Scala celebrates Carla Fracci
How to celebrate a great dancer on stage? How to evoke memories of their artistry without creating a parody of their talent? Certainly, with Carla Fracci and the American Ballet Theatre video of … [Read more...] about Fracci Gala: La Scala celebrates Carla Fracci
[Review] Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala shows the company in top-notch form
The revival of George Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala showed the company in top-notch form, finally shedding off the insecurities arising from cancelled premieres, last minutes Covid-related cast … [Read more...] about [Review] Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala shows the company in top-notch form
Italy’s dance magazine Danza & Danza names winners of 2021 awards
The leading dance magazine in Italy, Danza & Danza, has announced its annual awards and, like last year, they are somewhat modified to include streams and videos of dance that have become new ways … [Read more...] about Italy’s dance magazine Danza & Danza names winners of 2021 awards
[Review] La Scala’s Bayadère was a race against time
A new production of La Bayadère opened at La Scala a week later than planned after a Covid outbreak forced cancellations of the first performances. The television cameras waited patiently for the … [Read more...] about [Review] La Scala’s Bayadère was a race against time
[Photo album] First look at La Scala’s new Bayadère
After Covid infections forced the premiere and subsequent performances to be cancelled, Monday 21 December will finally see the opening night of La Scala's new production of Rudolf Nureyev's La … [Read more...] about [Photo album] First look at La Scala’s new Bayadère
Exciting debuts at La Scala: Alice Mariani and Mattia Semperboni
While theatre debuts are highly anticipated and hopefully thrilling, delusion and disappointment can arrive all too quickly after curtain up. Happily, there was nothing to disappoint in Alice … [Read more...] about Exciting debuts at La Scala: Alice Mariani and Mattia Semperboni
La Scala’s enthralling Contemporary Evening is a triumph
The Contemporary Evening was a triumph, with seven works: a contemporary ‘classic’, some lesser-known pieces, and a new creation. La Scala is finding it difficult to attract audiences back to the … [Read more...] about La Scala’s enthralling Contemporary Evening is a triumph
Ballet Gala from La Scala: Evening of Great Choreographers
The latest gala from La Scala as part of its programming for online streaming videos, and recorded without an audience present in the theatre, is Serata Grandi Coreografi (Evening of Great … [Read more...] about Ballet Gala from La Scala: Evening of Great Choreographers
A Covid-free La Scala to stream its gala ‘A Tribute to Nureyev’
The A Tribute to Nureyev gala from La Scala, was due to be streamed on 28 February, but the recording was cancelled two hours before curtain-up when a weak positive case of Covid-19 was found in one … [Read more...] about A Covid-free La Scala to stream its gala ‘A Tribute to Nureyev’
Tribute to Nureyev – free ballet gala streaming from La Scala
A strong thread ties Rudolf Nureyev to La Scala, where he was acclaimed not only as a dancer but also as a choreographer. Nureyev has equally strong ties to La Scala Ballet's new director, Manuel … [Read more...] about Tribute to Nureyev – free ballet gala streaming from La Scala
Review: Enthralling programme of 5 works by Hans van Manen and Roland Petit at La Scala
An unusual mixed bill at La Scala showcased the works of two choreographers: Hans van Manen and Roland Petit. Two of the van Manen pieces were new to the company, though his Adagio Hammerklavier, … [Read more...] about Review: Enthralling programme of 5 works by Hans van Manen and Roland Petit at La Scala
Photo Album: Rehearsal photos of La Scala’s new mixed bill with Roberto Bolle, Manni, Coviello, Arduino and company
Serata van Manen – Petit, (Van Manen and Petit Evening) opens at La Scala on 23 January. The evening consists of five gems from Hans van Manen and Roland Petit. The three van Manen pieces are Adagio … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Rehearsal photos of La Scala’s new mixed bill with Roberto Bolle, Manni, Coviello, Arduino and company
Photo Album: Giselle at La Scala with Svetlana Zakharova and David Hallberg
Opening Night - 17 September 2019 Giselle Svetlana Zakharova Albrecht David Hallberg Duke of Courland Alessandro Grillo Principess Bathilde Marta Romagna Giselle's mother Beatrice … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Giselle at La Scala with Svetlana Zakharova and David Hallberg