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...] about Xander Parish on life with the Mariinsky Ballet
Alina Somova
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...] about La Scala soprano forced to renounce opening night and broadcast of new production
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...] about Full programme of la Scala’s Gala des Étoiles – 30 and 31 October
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...] about Thoughts on Marianela Núñez’s life-affirming performance in Romeo and Juliet
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...] about La Scala complete Ballet casts and dates: 2014 — 2015
Tonight Roberto Bolle and Friends alight at the 15,000-seater Roman Arena in Verona
Tonight Verona's famous Arena is sold out. All 15,000 seats will be full to watch Roberto Bolle and his 'friends' dance in the open air. It is a magical place. Italy's Il Sole 24 Ore (the equivalent of the Financial Times, and the same colour) spoke to him. Unfortunately half of these interviews are always taken up with the same questions, but as we know that dancers don't … [Read more...] about Tonight Roberto Bolle and Friends alight at the 15,000-seater Roman Arena in Verona
Why are Alina Cojocaru, Natalia Osipova and Viengsay Valdés wearing green pointe shoes?
What have Alina Cojocaru, Natalia Osipova and Viengsay Valdés got in common? Well yes, they are all ballet dancers. And yes, they have all danced Giselle. But think more deeply... They've all got dark hair? Now you're just being silly. I'll have to tell you. They all have shoes made with solar power! But I expect you'd already guessed that. America's Cardinal Shoe Corp, … [Read more...] about Why are Alina Cojocaru, Natalia Osipova and Viengsay Valdés wearing green pointe shoes?
Critics round-up: Mariinsky at Covent Garden, Scotch Symphony / Ballet Imperial / In The Night
The fourth Mariinsky programme to grace the Royal Opera stage was another triple bill: Scotch Symphony and Ballet Imperial by George Balanchine, and In The Night by Jerome Robbins. Although this was an evening of American choreography, New York City Ballet territory, the roots are here with this company. Balanchine, one of its favourite sons, and his disciple Robbins, built on … [Read more...] about Critics round-up: Mariinsky at Covent Garden, Scotch Symphony / Ballet Imperial / In The Night
Swan Lake crash-lands at La Scala
Unfortunately no swans actually crashed on stage, which might have livened things up a little - only expectations came crashing down. Daniel Barenboim brought little magic to the pit and, moreover, watched the orchestra more than the stage - it gave the four (excellent) cygnets quite a turn when he accelerated during the danse des petits cygnes, and almost no-one managed to … [Read more...] about Swan Lake crash-lands at La Scala
Nureyev’s Swan Lake returns to La Scala after 10 years: Leonid Sarafanov and Alina Somova talk about the choreography
The ballet season 2010-2011 at La Scala in Milan has opened with 'Swan Lake'. The company has returned to the Rudolf Nureyev version which it abbandoned ten years ago in favour of the that by Vladimir Burmeister. This version has never been greatly appreciated by the Milanese, partly due to the odd designs by Roberta Guidi di Bagno. Daniel Barenboim is on the podium. "It is … [Read more...] about Nureyev’s Swan Lake returns to La Scala after 10 years: Leonid Sarafanov and Alina Somova talk about the choreography