You were recently promoted to First Soloist at the Mariinsky Ballet. Happy? Yes, I was promoted after a show of Giselle back in January and it was quite out of the blue! Leaving the corps Xander Parish joined the Mariinsky as a Coryphée in 2010 after twiddling his thumbs for five years at The Royal Ballet. He was 23, frustrated with his spear-carrying duties and itching to … [Read more...]
La Scala soprano forced to renounce opening night and broadcast of new production
La Scala hasn't had it easy over the last few months with cast changes for both the opera and the ballet: Cecilia Bartoli's concert to close the Expo season in October was annulled on the day; Carlos Álvarez pulled out Giovanna d'Arco on the opening night of the season which was broadcast live; La Scala held the curtain for I due Foscari as Michele Gamba rushed to the theatre … [Read more...]
Full programme of la Scala’s Gala des Étoiles – 30 and 31 October
Below is the full programme of Gala des Étoiles, at La Scala on 30 and 31 October. The Gala will be transmitted live by Italian television, Rai, on Rai5, and in cinemas internationally both live and over the next two months. It can also be followed live from the wings via La Scala's site and its YouTube channel with Gramilano and Silvia Farina presenting this rare … [Read more...]
Thoughts on Marianela Núñez’s life-affirming performance in Romeo and Juliet
Marianela Núñez is an extraordinary dancer who seems to possess an inner light which not only makes her glow, but illuminates everyone around her. There is a pure, almost spiritual quality to her apparent happiness on stage, as though there there is nowhere else she would rather be. It is an extremely rare quality: many sparkle, many dazzle, but few communicate heart to … [Read more...]
La Scala complete Ballet casts and dates: 2014 — 2015
17 December (Preview for young people) 18, 19 (2 perfs), 28, 30, 31 December 2014 4, 10, 16, 18 January 2015 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker Choreography: Nacho Duato Conductor: Vladimir Fedoseyev Sets and Costumes: Jérôme Kaplan Étoile: Roberto Bolle Guest Artist: Maria Eichwald Corpo di Ballo e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala Coro di Voci Bianche e … [Read more...]