Alina Somova

The Mariinsky Theatre opens its door to opera and ballet performances

11 July 2020 by gramilano Leave a Comment

After last night’s socially distanced concert by Denis Matsuev at the Mariinsky Theatre – which was streamed live on the theatre’s YouTube channel – the mini-season for the Stars of the White Nights festival will continue today with a concert performance of Samson et Dalila this afternoon, followed by a ballet gala this evening with Ekaterina Kondaurova, Alina Somova, Viktoria Tereshkina, Kimin Kim, Xander Parish, and Vladimir Shklyarov.

The gala will be repeated tomorrow, Sunday 12 July, in the afternoon, followed by

Xander Parish on life with the Mariinsky Ballet

4 November 2016 by gramilano 3 Comments

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 […]

La Scala soprano forced to renounce opening night and broadcast of new production

2 May 2016 by gramilano Leave a Comment

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 […]

Full programme of la Scala’s Gala des Étoiles – 30 and 31 October

27 October 2015 by gramilano 5 Comments

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 […]

Thoughts on Marianela Núñez’s life-affirming performance in Romeo and Juliet

22 October 2014 by gramilano 5 Comments

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 […]

La Scala complete Ballet casts and dates: 2014 — 2015

18 June 2014 by gramilano 1 Comment

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 […]

Tonight Roberto Bolle and Friends alight at the 15,000-seater Roman Arena in Verona

23 July 2012 by gramilano Leave a Comment

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 […]

Why are Alina Cojocaru, Natalia Osipova and Viengsay Valdés wearing green pointe shoes?

1 July 2012 by gramilano 1 Comment

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 […]

Critics round-up: Mariinsky at Covent Garden, Scotch Symphony / Ballet Imperial / In The Night

18 August 2011 by gramilano Leave a Comment

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 […]

Swan Lake crash-lands at La Scala

19 December 2010 by gramilano Leave a Comment

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 […]