The success of Le Corsaire’s first night cast at La Scala was reviewed here previously, but no less was an alternative cast which had a shining beacon in Martina Arduino as Medora. She is a lovely dancer who was thrust into the spotlight when Alexei Ratmansky plucked her from the corps — she was not even on a permanent contract — and cast her as his Odette/Odile. She was just … [Read more...] about Notes on Le Corsaire at La Scala… an alternative cast
Alexei Ratmansky
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 Nutcracker will open the season on 16 December and it will be the first time that his version has been presented in Italy. A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Jewels are already in the … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet Season 2018-2019 announced
Ratmansky’s Swan Lake delights once again at La Scala: music and choreography restored
Such was La Scala’s confidence in Alexei Ratmansky’s Swan Lake that even before its premiere in Milan in June 2016 — the co-production with Zurich had had its world premiere four months earlier — it had already been chosen for a tour to Paris later that year and also programmed to be part of La Scala’s following season. So, a year on, there’s another chance to see Ratmansky’s … [Read more...] about Ratmansky’s Swan Lake delights once again at La Scala: music and choreography restored
Cuban National Ballet in Turin with refreshing musicality and flair
Picture this. Turin. A balmy summer evening. To the left is piazza Castello with its impressive medieval castle. To the right, the Royal Palace, once home to the Kings of Savoy. Between the two, a stage ready to host the Cuban National Ballet. Storm clouds toy around the mountains in the distance, and as the evening opens, with a scene from the second act of Giselle, lightning … [Read more...] about Cuban National Ballet in Turin with refreshing musicality and flair
Zenaida Yanowsky’s final curtain call
After 23 years with The Royal Ballet, last night Zenaida Yanowsky gave her final curtain call on the Covent Garden stage.Her final performance at the Royal Opera House was in Marguerite and Armand where she danced alongside Roberto Bolle. Her last performance with the Company, however, will be in Australia in July, performing Paulina in The Winter’s Tale at the Queensland … [Read more...] about Zenaida Yanowsky’s final curtain call