On 14 March 2020, The Royal Ballet’s principal dancer Lauren Cuthbertson was dancing Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. A rare honour. She was partnered by former … [Read more...] about Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson – so much passion
Alessandra Ferri
Alessandra Ferri: The art of becoming a couple is the gamble of a lifetime
Alessandra Ferri has been interpreting Eleonora Duse in John Neumeier’s ballet Duse, most recently in Venice at the beginning of February. Does she feel she has anything in common with Italy’s most … [Read more...] about Alessandra Ferri: The art of becoming a couple is the gamble of a lifetime
Dancing Times, September edition – with Gramilano’s Danza in Italia column including Woolf Works at La Scala and a Glass triple bill in Rome
The latest issue of Dancing Times is out tomorrow. In September’s issue, I cover Wayne McGregor’s “amazing” Woolf Works at La Scala with Alessandra Ferri giving a “frighteningly intense” performance … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, September edition – with Gramilano’s Danza in Italia column including Woolf Works at La Scala and a Glass triple bill in Rome
Paolo Bordogna answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… singers’ edition
Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? On the staircase of my apartment building, there was an echo that added force to my voice; I listened to it as though it were my voice. It was … [Read more...] about Paolo Bordogna answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… singers’ edition
McGregor’s Woolf Works thrills and enthralls at La Scala
The La Scala Ballet usually fields a first cast, and several alternative casts, but not with Wayne McGregor’s Woolf Works – here it was very much a case of a first cast and a second cast. The first … [Read more...] about McGregor’s Woolf Works thrills and enthralls at La Scala
First photos of Wayne McGregor’s Woolf Works at La Scala with Alessandra Ferri, Federico Bonelli and Company dancers
These are the first photos of La Scala's restaging of Wayne McGregor's Woolf Works created for The Royal Ballet in 2015. The work was seen again in London in 2017, and in Milan, two of the original … [Read more...] about First photos of Wayne McGregor’s Woolf Works at La Scala with Alessandra Ferri, Federico Bonelli and Company dancers
Interview with Alessandra Ferri: Maturing I find myself smiling more
I’m enjoying a new chapter in my life having the fortune to play women of my age and not romantic roles like the Giselles, Carmens, Juliets, Manons… all wonderful, but enough, they’re part of another … [Read more...] about Interview with Alessandra Ferri: Maturing I find myself smiling more
Woolf Works at La Scala – McGregor, Richter, Ferri and Bonelli talk about making the ballet
Wayne McGregor We're so excited to bring Woolf Works to La Scala. It’s an amazing historic stage and the work is going to be fantastic in this theatre. The company is incredible and we've been really … [Read more...] about Woolf Works at La Scala – McGregor, Richter, Ferri and Bonelli talk about making the ballet
Ballerina Jacquelin De Min dies at the age of 76
Ballerina Jacquelin De Min has died at the age of 76 at her home in Cannes after a long illness. She began dancing with the ballet company at the Opera House in Strasbourg when she was 16, and soon … [Read more...] about Ballerina Jacquelin De Min dies at the age of 76
Antipasto to the annual Les Étoiles gala in Rome with Russian and Italian ballet stars
As an antipasto to the annual Les Étoiles gala in Rome — this year a sold out two days, next year there will be three — in the luxurious setting of the Hotel de Russie near the Spanish Steps, there … [Read more...] about Antipasto to the annual Les Étoiles gala in Rome with Russian and Italian ballet stars
Roberto Bolle’s Dance with Me on New Year’s Day features Alessandra Ferri
Roberto Bolle’s programme Danza con me (Dance with Me) won the Rose D'Or for the Best European Entertainment programme at the 57th edition of the awards in Berlin in September. Not surprisingly, the … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle’s Dance with Me on New Year’s Day features Alessandra Ferri
Roberto Bolle says addio to American Ballet Theatre
Eight performances of Kenneth MacMillan's Manon are scheduled to begin 17 June 2019 during American Ballet Theatre's 2019 Spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House, with Hee Seo in the title role, … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle says addio to American Ballet Theatre
La Scala Ballet Season 2018-2019 announced
The new ballet season at La Scala sees seven programmes, including three pieces being presented at the theatre for the first time, including a newly commissioned work. George Balanchine’s The … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet Season 2018-2019 announced
Zakharova, Bolle and Manni are excellent Principals in La Dame aux Camélias, but Andrijashenko steals the show at La Scala
Svetlana Zakharova and Roberto Bolle have both danced the lead roles in John Neumeier's La Dame aux Camélias, but never together. La Scala united its two Étoiles for the opening of its ballet season. … [Read more...] about Zakharova, Bolle and Manni are excellent Principals in La Dame aux Camélias, but Andrijashenko steals the show at La Scala
Balanchine’s Dream sprinkles its magic fairy dust over La Scala for the last time
In the ‘60s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream was all the rage: Benjamin Britten’s opera premiered in 1960, Balanchine’s ballet opened in 1962, Ashton’s The Dream came along in 1964, and Peter Hall’s film … [Read more...] about Balanchine’s Dream sprinkles its magic fairy dust over La Scala for the last time
Sergei Polunin returns to dance with Natalia Osipova at The Royal Ballet
Former Royal Ballet Principal Sergei Polunin will partner Natalia Osipova in June, when he returns to dance in Frederick Ashton’s Marguerite and Armand. Other casting sees another former Royal Ballet … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin returns to dance with Natalia Osipova at The Royal Ballet
Meeting Davide Dato, the Italian ballet star who’s finally hitting the headlines in his homeland
Salsa, merengue and mambo… that’s how I started dancing. So says Davide Dato, Principal Dancer at the Vienna State Ballet. Many classical dancers began in their living room imitating Michael … [Read more...] about Meeting Davide Dato, the Italian ballet star who’s finally hitting the headlines in his homeland
Introducing Michele Esposito… winner of the Prix de Lausanne 2017
Michele Esposito has won the Prix de Lausanne 2017. The first prize, sponsored by the Swiss investment firm Adveq, was not his only award as he also won the Best Swiss Candidate Prize as well as the … [Read more...] about Introducing Michele Esposito… winner of the Prix de Lausanne 2017
Coppélia scrapped and Misty Copeland and Roberto Bolle as Romeo & Juliet open new ballet season at La Scala
Mauro Bigonzetti's Coppélia had already been put aside as the ballet to open La Scala's ballet season on 20 December due to his back problems. There was discussion of another version of the ballet to … [Read more...] about Coppélia scrapped and Misty Copeland and Roberto Bolle as Romeo & Juliet open new ballet season at La Scala
To Carla Fracci, on your 80th Birthday, from your colleagues and friends
Today is the 80th birthday of the Italian ballerina, Carla Fracci. She was born in Milan on 20 August 1936. To celebrate we asked fellow ballerinas, as well as actresses and designers she has worked … [Read more...] about To Carla Fracci, on your 80th Birthday, from your colleagues and friends
La Scala gets a Google Doodle
Though no special anniversary, Google users in Italy today are seeing a Google Doodle to commemorate the "238th Anniversary of the inauguration of Teatro Alla Scala". Inside the second 'O' is a view … [Read more...] about La Scala gets a Google Doodle
Introducing Rebecca Bianchi, Rome Opera Ballet’s new Principal ballerina
At the end of The Nutcracker at Rome’s Teatro Nazionale on 20 December last year, 25-year-old Rebecca Bianchi was promoted to Principal Dancer of the Rome Opera Ballet by the theatre’s General … [Read more...] about Introducing Rebecca Bianchi, Rome Opera Ballet’s new Principal ballerina
THE ROYAL BALLET SEASON 2016 – 2017: theatre and cinema
All the details of the 2016-2017 Ballet Season at London's Royal Opera House: skip to section: ROYAL BALLET 2016-2017 SEASON - IN BRIEF THE ROYAL OPERA 2016-2017 SEASON THE ROYAL OPERA SEASON … [Read more...] about THE ROYAL BALLET SEASON 2016 – 2017: theatre and cinema
Kevin O’Hare interview: It’s an exciting time for The Royal Ballet
This is an exciting time for The Royal Ballet, which has been on a roll for several years with an enthusiastic public for the sold-out performances at the Royal Opera House, the extremely popular live … [Read more...] about Kevin O’Hare interview: It’s an exciting time for The Royal Ballet
Alessandra Ferri: age doesn’t mean anything, I love to laugh, I love to live
Several recent posts on this blog have pondered on dancers' ages: Sylvie Guillem at 50 on her farewell tour; and just the other day I wrote about Carla Fracci returning once more to the stage at 79 … [Read more...] about Alessandra Ferri: age doesn’t mean anything, I love to laugh, I love to live
50th Anniversary of MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet
The Royal Ballet 2015/16 Season opens this September with the return of Kenneth MacMillan’s landmark Romeo and Juliet, celebrating 50 years since its première at the Royal Opera House in 1965. It will … [Read more...] about 50th Anniversary of MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet
Herman Cornejo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I was 8 years old. It was a normal day when my sister's teacher, Wasil Tupin, saw me at the door. I was enjoying the music and watching my sister dance to the … [Read more...] about Herman Cornejo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Mara Galeazzi on Ferri, The Royal Ballet, Woolf Works and retiring
The Royal Ballet’s new few-length ballet, Woolf Works, brings two Italian ex-Royal Ballet dancers back to Covent Garden. Alessandra Ferri, who returned to dancing two years ago after seven years of … [Read more...] about Mara Galeazzi on Ferri, The Royal Ballet, Woolf Works and retiring
Royal Ballet Season 2015 – 2016 with 4 World Premières
Four World Premières feature in the line-up for the Royal Ballet's 2015 - 2016 Season and, for the first time, all three of The Royal Ballet's associated choreographers present new works for the main … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet Season 2015 – 2016 with 4 World Premières
Alessandra Ferri’s pain at being rejected and joy at being reborn
The word "comeback" isn't one I like; what I am doing is going ahead. These years off stage have taught me that I can't live without dance. I am fully realised only when I dance. Alessandra Ferri is … [Read more...] about Alessandra Ferri’s pain at being rejected and joy at being reborn
