The annual orgy of dance that kicks off the year in Rome, known as Les Étoiles, began in 2015 with an evening in the Auditorium della Conciliazione near the Vatican with its 1,700 seats. The gala has grown to occupy three days in the Auditorium Parco della Musica with its 2,800 seats. The reason for its astounding popularity is that it never disappoints. From the first outing, … [Read more...] about Les Étoiles for three days shone over Rome
Alicia Alonso
Les Étoiles Gala in Rome 2020 features the ballet world’s starriest names with some surprises
The annual appointment with Les Étoiles in Rome is certainly a chance to enjoy a thrilling ballet gala, but the producer Daniele Cipriani also finds interesting twists to make each edition unique, so it never becomes a clichéd evening of ballet’s greatest hits. Such was the popularity last year, that the gala will spread over three days to satisfy those who were turned away … [Read more...] about Les Étoiles Gala in Rome 2020 features the ballet world’s starriest names with some surprises
Interview with Alicia Alonso at 95: my dancing is my most eloquent testament
I was fascinated by dance when I was very young, and after my first lesson I said to my mother, “This is what I want to do!” From that moment on it has been my life. I have had problems with my sight throughout my career, though it has never been total blindness. I found ways to dance so that audiences were not aware of it… I didn’t want their sympathy. I had the first … [Read more...] about Interview with Alicia Alonso at 95: my dancing is my most eloquent testament
Ek, Laguna, Mercy and Linke in Rome: over 200 years of dance experience
For two nights from tomorrow in Rome there is the possibility to attend a most unusual dance gala. While there are only four taking part, their ages combined total 266 years. The dancers are Mats Ek, Ana Laguna, Susanne Linke and Dominique Mercy, Laguna being the youngest of the quartet at just sixty. Playing on the politically correct term “differently abled”, the programme … [Read more...] about Ek, Laguna, Mercy and Linke in Rome: over 200 years of dance experience
Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya dies at 89
Maya Plisetskaya died of a heart attack today in Munich. She was 89. The director of the Bolshoi Ballet, Vladimir Urin, said, She died of a severe heart attack. The doctors tried everything, but there was nothing they could do. Mikhail Shvydkoi, former Russian Minister of Culture, said, I always thought that Plisetskaya would live forever. We were preparing to celebrate her … [Read more...] about Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya dies at 89
Coppélia: with tutus or wafers?
An ice-cream parlour around the corner from my home is called Coppélia. It's just opposite the new Fendi showroom and offices in via Solari in Milan. Now I'm sure regular readers of this blog will roll their eyes in disbelief on reading my query in the next sentence, but for those who don't know the answer either, this article is for you. I wanted to know why the owners had … [Read more...] about Coppélia: with tutus or wafers?
You choose it out of Love! Dancing with the Khan-MacKay family
Dancing, like acting and singing, often runs in the family. There are countless dancers whose parents danced: Zenaida Yanowsky (Royal Ballet), Yury Yanowsky (Boston Ballet) and Nadia Yanowsky (Het Nationale Ballet) are the children of Russian ballet dancer Anatol Yanowsky and Spanish ballet dancer Carmen Robles. Ballet's in their blood. What makes the Khan-MacKay family … [Read more...] about You choose it out of Love! Dancing with the Khan-MacKay family
Alicia Alonso makes a comeback at 91
Alicia Alonso, at 91 years of age, has made a stage comeback at the 23rd Havana International Ballet Festival. Prensa Latina reported that the Cuban ballet legend danced Un retrato para el recuerdo (A portrait to remember) with two of her former partners: Lazaro Carreño and Jorge Vega. The news service said, Alonso was again an exceptional actress, inspiring ovations … [Read more...] about Alicia Alonso makes a comeback at 91
Unseen photos: Alicia Alonso
A wonderfully natural and rare shot of Cuban ballerina Alicia Alonso in her heyday. … [Read more...] about Unseen photos: Alicia Alonso
Alicia Alonso on her dancers, her company and Fidel Castro
Kevin Griffin of the Vancouver Sun asked Alicia Alonso (via email) some questions: On classical ballet being elitist Ballet does not have to be an elitist art form. If the public have access to a good ballet show, they will greatly enjoy it. Cuba has worked for years to attract new audiences, through lectures, conferences and demonstrations in workplaces, schools and even … [Read more...] about Alicia Alonso on her dancers, her company and Fidel Castro
