If you visit NASA’s website, they define a protostar as the “hot core at the heart of the collapsing cloud that will one day become a star”. 19-year-old Martina Arduino, who graduated from La Scala’s Ballet Academy just a year ago was entrusted last night, as her first ever principal role(s), with the Odette/Odile characters in Alexei Ratmansky’s new Swan Lake. She is not … [Read more...] about Martina Arduino in Ratmansky’s Swan Lake – a ballet star is born at La Scala?
Alexei Ratmansky
Swan Lake at La Scala – Alexei Ratmansky puts the ballet’s heart where it belongs
Alexei Ratmansky’s reconstruction of the Petipa/Ivanov Swan Lake is as eye-opening as was his version of The Sleeping Beauty: it is fresh, it is vital, it effectively tells a story and communicates right to the heart with both joy and pathos. Going back to Vladimir Stepanov’s original notations has brought forth something stimulating and rich in choreographic detail, not a … [Read more...] about Swan Lake at La Scala – Alexei Ratmansky puts the ballet’s heart where it belongs
Countdown to Ratmansky’s Swan Lake – photos and video interview
Tonight's the night. One of the most anticipated of La Scala's season. The debut of Alexei Ratmansky's reconstruction of Petipa and Ivanov's Swan Lake. The production is a co-production with Zurich where in February it received rave reviews, to anticipation is running high. Below are some shots from the dress rehearsal with tonight's cast — Odette/Odile is Nicoletta … [Read more...] about Countdown to Ratmansky’s Swan Lake – photos and video interview
La Scala dancers talk about being in Ratmansky’s Swan Lake
The new director of La Scala’s ballet company, Mauro Bigonzetti, has chosen to present the new version of Swan Lake with in-house casting “to help our dancers grow”. This is very unusual at La Scala, at least for the big repertory pieces. The young talents are Principal dancer Nicoletta Manni who will open the run tomorrow, 30 June and will dance with a young corps dancer, … [Read more...] about La Scala dancers talk about being in Ratmansky’s Swan Lake
Ratmansky explains why his Swan Lake is arriving bigger and better at La Scala
Alexei Ratmansky’s reconstruction of Marius Petipa’s Swan Lake was rapturously received by almost all the critics when it premiered in Zurich in February. Alastair Macaulay in The New York Times said, “This Swan Lake has become the one by which we should judge all others.” This touchstone production, then, is about to open in Milan, though a little different to the one in … [Read more...] about Ratmansky explains why his Swan Lake is arriving bigger and better at La Scala
Teatro alla Scala new ballet season 2016-2017, “a strange equilibrium”
La Scala has released its new ballet season for 2016-2017. Not surprisingly, the new Ballet Director, Mauro Bigonzetti, is putting his mark on the season with a new production of Coppélia which he will choreograph to launch the season. Bigonzetti's long-standing collaborator Eugenio Scigliano will create a new version of Sheherazade, while in the same evening, Bigonzetti will … [Read more...] about Teatro alla Scala new ballet season 2016-2017, “a strange equilibrium”
Viktorina Kapitonova answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I was dancing at home the whole time as a young child, my mum sent me with my sister to the house of the arts, where children could audition to study all arts, like drawing, clay modelling, dancing and singing. The singing teacher would not take me as I was so bad, so I took up clay modelling and dancing. I loved to dance all styles on … [Read more...] about Viktorina Kapitonova answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Canadian Ballet welcomes 72 Syrian refugees
The National Ballet of Canada will welcome a group of new Canadians to experience the magic of ballet. With the assistance of COSTI Immigrant Services, 72 Syrian refugees will attend the 'Share the Magic' performance of Alexei Ratmansky's Romeo and Juliet on 15 March. Since 1986, the National Ballet’s 'Share the Magic' program has introduced ballet to those who would … [Read more...] about Canadian Ballet welcomes 72 Syrian refugees
Ratmansky’s Sleeping Beauty in Milan casts its magic spell
Alexei Ratmansky’s ‘reconstruction’ of The Sleeping Beauty at La Scala made for one of the most interesting and satisfying evenings that I’ve had in the theatre for a long time. It is charming, it is theatrical, it is technically retro-innovative and also demanding for the dancers. Reintroducing some positions and movements, which have been gradually dropped from classical … [Read more...] about Ratmansky’s Sleeping Beauty in Milan casts its magic spell
Sergei Polunin injured and will not dance with Zakharova in Sleeping Beauty
Sergei Polunin, who was to replace David Hallberg who is injured, is now injured himself and will not dance the three scheduled performances in Alexei Ratmansky's The Sleeping Beauty. Polunin, who has injured his neck, will be replaced with the young Jacopo Tissi who, after graduating from La Scala's ballet school in June last year, has returned to join the company after a … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin injured and will not dance with Zakharova in Sleeping Beauty