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Alina Cojocaru

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

19 January 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Prix de Lausanne 2020-01

The Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 will be given to Carlos Acosta CBE, a Prix de Lausanne Prize Winner in 1990 and current Director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. The Prix de Lausanne 2023 50th … [Read more...] about Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Giselle with Alina Cojocaru and the United Ukrainian Ballet: unforgettable moments

15 September 2022 by Matthew Paluch 1 Comment

32 - Alina Cojocaru, Alexandr Trusch, London Coliseum, photo by Mark Senior

I begin this review with the statutory mission of the foundation of the United Ukrainian Ballet: supporting the displaced dancers in their livelihoodupholding ballet and dance as an important part … [Read more...] about Giselle with Alina Cojocaru and the United Ukrainian Ballet: unforgettable moments

[Review] Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a programme full of ‘wow wee’ moments

7 September 2022 by Matthew Paluch 8 Comments

Natalia Osipova in Laurencia Nureyev Legend and Legacy, photo by Andrej Uspenski

Welcome to this new collaboration between Gramilano and me, Matthew Paluch, to be known affectionately as London Calling. I'm honoured to share reviews and discussions here focusing on the London … [Read more...] about [Review] Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a programme full of ‘wow wee’ moments

Rudolf Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a starry celebration in London

18 August 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Merle Park and Rudolf Nureyev in rehearsal for Flower Festival in Genzano, photo by Francette Levieux

Rudolf Nureyev’s life and career will be celebrated in London with five performances at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which is where Nureyev made his London debut. Former Royal Ballet principal … [Read more...] about Rudolf Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a starry celebration in London

United Ukrainian Ballet performs Ratmansky and Kylián

8 July 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

United Ukrainian Ballet - Giselle

The United Ukrainian Ballet will perform Alexei Ratmansky's new 'Ukrainian' Giselle in the Netherlands and at the London Coliseum. The profits from ticket sales will go to help the people and culture … [Read more...] about United Ukrainian Ballet performs Ratmansky and Kylián

Marquee TV to stream London’s Dance for Ukraine gala

12 April 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Mayara Magri and Francesco Gabriele Frola in Le Corsaire. Photo by Elliott Franks-02

Marquee TV will stream Dance for Ukraine, the special charity gala conceived by former Royal Ballet stars Ivan Putrov (Ukraine) and Alina Cojocaru (Romania) which was performed at the London Coliseum … [Read more...] about Marquee TV to stream London’s Dance for Ukraine gala

Extraordinary dancers will dance for Ukraine in Naples and Milan

26 March 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Ballet for Peace

Some of the dance names that have been making headlines recently will dance for Ukraine in two upcoming galas in Italy: Olga Smirnova, Victor Caixeta, Jacopo Tissi, Iana Salenko, Anastasia Matvienko … [Read more...] about Extraordinary dancers will dance for Ukraine in Naples and Milan

Natalia Osipova and international ballet stars dance for Ukraine

10 March 2022 by Gramilano 9 Comments

Dance for Ukraine

Former Royal Ballet stars and impresarios Ivan Putrov (Ukraine) and Alina Cojocaru (Romania) are putting on Dance for Ukraine, a benefit gala at the London Coliseum to raise funds for people in need … [Read more...] about Natalia Osipova and international ballet stars dance for Ukraine

Free reading from Dancing Times – the complete archive is available from 2000

1 April 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dancing Times

Dancing Times has opened up the last 20 years of its archives to all until 7 April. The monthly magazine has its think pieces, reviews, articles about technique, dance’s past and present, but I … [Read more...] about Free reading from Dancing Times – the complete archive is available from 2000

Danza&Danza Awards 2019 announced

10 January 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Sylvia with Martina Arduino and company, photo Brescia e Amisano Teatro alla Scala

The critics of the Italian magazine Danza&Danza (which also has an edition in English) huddle together at the beginning of each year to decided the ‘best’ of the previous year in Italian dance and … [Read more...] about Danza&Danza Awards 2019 announced

Interview with Sergei Polunin – Verona’s new Romeo

24 August 2019 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Sergei Polunin, Romeo and Juliet, Verona 2019

On the eve of the debut of a new Romeo and Juliet at Verona’s Arena with choreography by Johan Kobborg and with Sergei Polunin and Alina Cojocaru in the title roles, Polunin talked with Vogue Italia’s … [Read more...] about Interview with Sergei Polunin – Verona’s new Romeo

Interview with Johan Kobborg and Alina Cojocaru on the eve of their new Romeo and Juliet

13 August 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Johan Kobborg's Romeo and Juliet with Sergei Polunin and Alina Cojocaru, Verona 2019

Johan Kobborg asked David Umenoto to design the sets for his Romeo and Juliet which has its world premiere in Verona’s vast Arena on 26 August. The commission came about after Kobborg had seen an … [Read more...] about Interview with Johan Kobborg and Alina Cojocaru on the eve of their new Romeo and Juliet

Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti is Mercutio in the Kobborg-Polunin-Cojocaru Romeo and Juliet

8 August 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Valentino Zucchetti in Rhapsody, The Royal Ballet © ROH, Johan Persson 2014

On the 26 August, there will be a single performance only of Johan Kobborg’s new production of Romeo and Juliet with Sergei Polunin and Alina Cojocaru in the title roles. But when the theatre in … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti is Mercutio in the Kobborg-Polunin-Cojocaru Romeo and Juliet

Photo Album: Wheeldon’s Cinderella – English National Ballet

27 June 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

23 Christopher Wheeldon's Cinderella with English National Ballet © Dasa Wharton

This Cinderella combines intimacy and spectacle. In a space as vast as the Albert Hall it would be easy to lose focus, and for the action and visuals to wax muddy or arid. That rarely happens. The … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Wheeldon’s Cinderella – English National Ballet

Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up

16 June 2019 by Gramilano 10 Comments

Romeo and Juliet with Sergei Polunin

In an interview, before several appearances in the Italian peninsula over the next two months, Sergei Polunin said, I deeply believe in love. It’s a universal feeling; everyone wants to love and be … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up

Rights group asks for Polunin ballet in Verona’s Arena to be cancelled

15 May 2019 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Sergei Polunin's tattoo of Vladimir Putin on his Instagram account, CREDIT INSTAGRAM

A full-page article in today’s Corriere della Sera, a major Italian newspaper, has the headline: Polunin, the bad boy of dance “is homophobic”. After recent Instagram postings which were widely … [Read more...] about Rights group asks for Polunin ballet in Verona’s Arena to be cancelled

Faces: Three dance portraits – Acosta, Cojocaru, Yanowsky by Kim Brandstrup

13 September 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Zenaida Yanowsky

Choreographer and filmmaker Kim Brandstrup’s latest film project is to be shown in the newly refurbished Linbury Theatre as part of Open House London on 22 and 23 September. Brandstrup’s latest … [Read more...] about Faces: Three dance portraits – Acosta, Cojocaru, Yanowsky by Kim Brandstrup

English National Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty – a photo album, dedicated to Elisabetta Terabust

1 July 2018 by Gramilano 2 Comments

The Sleeping Beauty, English National Ballet, © Dasa Wharton 2018   38

  Italian ballerina Elisabetta Terabust, who died in February this year at her home in Rome after a long illness, was a star of the London Festival Ballet, now English National Ballet, from 1973 … [Read more...] about English National Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty – a photo album, dedicated to Elisabetta Terabust

Le Corsaire docks at La Scala – many delights with a company on top form

15 May 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Le Corsaire, Nicoletta Manni, Marco Agostino and Alessandro Grillo, photo Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2018

Anna-Marie Holmes created her version of Le Corsaire for Boston ballet in 1997. A year later it arrived in New York when it was loaned out to the American Ballet Theatre. Italian dancer Giuseppe … [Read more...] about Le Corsaire docks at La Scala – many delights with a company on top form

Interview with Joseph Caley, English National Ballet’s new Principal Dancer

22 October 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Tamara Rojo, Jeffrey Cirio and Jospeph Caley in Song of the Earth © Laurent Liotardo (4)

After more than a decade with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Principal Dancer Joseph Caley has packed his bags and headed south to join Tamara Rojo and English National Ballet. In July, when his move was … [Read more...] about Interview with Joseph Caley, English National Ballet’s new Principal Dancer

Anaïs Chalendard answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

30 December 2016 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Anaïs Chalendard zoom

Q&A When did you start dancing? I started taking "ballet" class when I was very little; about 4 years old. But I think I really started proper classes when I turned 6 or 7. Why did you … [Read more...] about Anaïs Chalendard answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

The Royal Ballet’s Steven McRae on injury: turning weakness into strength

6 February 2016 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Steven McRae by Rick Guest crop

In 2007, I entered the stage as Romeo and I honestly thought that I was living the dream. I was on the Royal Opera House stage dancing alongside one of the world’s greatest ballerinas, Alina … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet’s Steven McRae on injury: turning weakness into strength

Yasmine Naghdi – the birth of a ballerina

29 September 2015 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Yasmine Naghdi was born on 25 March 1992 in London. Everyone I meet says, 'Where are you from?', and I say, 'I’m from London', and they say, 'No, where are you really from?'. Well, she has an exotic … [Read more...] about Yasmine Naghdi – the birth of a ballerina

Carlos Acosta at The Royal Ballet: celebrating 17 years

17 August 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Carlos Acosta at The Royal Ballet is a new book to celebrate Carlos Acosta’s 17 year career with The Royal Ballet from 1998 – 2015. The book, which captures some of his greatest performances as … [Read more...] about Carlos Acosta at The Royal Ballet: celebrating 17 years

Svetlana Zakharova’s Gala brings the Ukraine to the heart of Russia

8 December 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Last night, Svetlana Zakharova's Gala Ballet without Borders took place on the Bolshoi stage in Moscow. Ballet stars danced in support of young dancers in war-torn Ukraine. This politically sensitive … [Read more...] about Svetlana Zakharova’s Gala brings the Ukraine to the heart of Russia

Nominees announced for the 15th National Dance Awards

3 November 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The Dance Section of the Critics’ Circle has announced the nominations for the 15th National Dance Awards. The Critics' Circle is composed of five sections: Music, Theatre, Film, Dance and Visual … [Read more...] about Nominees announced for the 15th National Dance Awards

Help Kickstart Cystal Ballet’s new collaboration with the New English Ballet Theatre

4 May 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Crystal Ballet, who brought you the specially choreographed and filmed ballet pieces for digital release only, are aiming towards their second project. It is their first commission as a production … [Read more...] about Help Kickstart Cystal Ballet’s new collaboration with the New English Ballet Theatre

Join the digital dance revolution with Crystal Ballet’s star dancers

20 October 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Filming ballet is a tricky business. Ever been frustrated by the extreme close-up while a ballerina is doing 32 fouettés? Irritated by that longshot just as Juliet wakes after Romeo’s downed the … [Read more...] about Join the digital dance revolution with Crystal Ballet’s star dancers

Crystal Ballet’s Genesis hits n°1 in the charts

11 October 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

In June we told you about Crystal Ballet's exciting project: a ballet created to be filmed for digital download. Now the first installment of Genesis has reached N°1 in the iTunes classical music … [Read more...] about Crystal Ballet’s Genesis hits n°1 in the charts

Vadim Muntagirov answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

13 September 2013 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Q&A When did you start dancing? When I was 7 years old. Why did you start dancing? Because my Mum, Dad and sister are principal dancers, and also because I love the ballet art form. Which … [Read more...] about Vadim Muntagirov answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

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NEWS

Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Principal dancer Jared Angle to give final performance with NYCB

The Australian Ballet will tour to the Royal Opera House in August 2023

Les Étoiles – the starry Rome gala at the end of January, now with two programmes

Alexei Ratmansky joins New York City Ballet as Artist in Residence

Ballet dancer Denis Vieira dies in Cyprus at 31

Bruno Vescovo, former principal dancer with the La Scala Ballet, has died at 73

In Memoriam 2022: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors

Sergei Polunin’s Rasputin show in Milan is cancelled

FEATURED POSTS

Coppélia with Vadim Muntagirov and Marianela Nunez, photo by Bill Cooper ROH

Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique

Vittorio Grigolo’s new women’s shoes and a song for Hillary Clinton

The Tricks of the Trocks: powder, ice and pointe shoes

Luca Pisaroni as Leporello in Don Giovanni at Glyndebourne   photo by Bill Cooper

In conversation with Luca Pisaroni: back to Milan with his La Scala debut

In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?

Lawrence Brownlee, © Shervin Lainez

Interview with tenor Lawrence Brownlee on being a black man in America: Cycles of My Being

Francesco Gabriele Frola. Photo By Karolina Kuras, 2016 01

Meet Francesco Gabriele Frola — National Ballet of Canada and English National Ballet’s new Principal Dancer

Romeo and Juliet with Sergei Polunin

Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up

Renata Scotto with Maria Callas

Renata Scotto vs Maria Callas – the 1970 fight at La Scala

Vadim Muntagirov answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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