On Monday 22 December, The Royal Ballet’s Mariko Sasaki and Giacomo Rovero will dance The Sugar Plum Fairy and The Prince in Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker. Mariko Sasaki is a First Soloist with the … [Read more...] about Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Mariko Sasaki and Giacomo Rovero on preparing for the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince
Anthony Dowell
Review: The Royal Ballet School Summer Performance – the stars of tomorrow step into the spotlight today
Georgina Butler sees The Royal Ballet School Summer Performance 2025 celebrating tradition, innovation and passion with beloved classical works and bold new pieces, danced by remarkable … [Read more...] about Review: The Royal Ballet School Summer Performance – the stars of tomorrow step into the spotlight today
Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Giacomo Rovero on dancing among the vines – Rocchetta Grand Jeté
A few years ago, a rather remarkable woman, Francesca Massone Incisa, wanted to stage a gala at her ‘home’. Home, for Massone, is Cantine dei Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta, among the Monferrato … [Read more...] about Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Giacomo Rovero on dancing among the vines – Rocchetta Grand Jeté
Interview: Roberto Bolle turns 50
I interviewed Italy’s most well-known male dancer, Roberto Bolle, four years ago, for Dancing Times magazine. Today, 26 March 2025, is his 50th birthday, and so gramilano.com is now publishing our … [Read more...] about Interview: Roberto Bolle turns 50
Voices of British Ballet’s new podcast and platform to celebrate the history of dance in Britain
Tuesday 25 March 2025 sees the launch of Voices of British Ballet, the oral history project that began in 2002 and now will be available via a new website hosting the growing collection of podcasts … [Read more...] about Voices of British Ballet’s new podcast and platform to celebrate the history of dance in Britain
[Review] The Royal Ballet in Ashton Celebrated – Les Rendezvous, The Dream, Rhapsody
Jonathan Gray sees The Royal Ballet in Ashton Celebrated – Les Rendezvous, The Dream, and Rhapsody – an evening of musicality and daring. TitleLes Rendezvous, The Dream, RhapsodyCompanyThe Royal … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet in Ashton Celebrated – Les Rendezvous, The Dream, Rhapsody
[Review] Swan Lake with The Royal Ballet – Mayara Magri shows that “great dancing can overcome even the most banal production”
Jonathan Gray sees Liam Scarlett's production of Swan Lake for The Royal Ballet – "in Scarlett’s hands the ballet becomes a confusing mess". TitleSwan Lake CompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Royal Opera … [Read more...] about [Review] Swan Lake with The Royal Ballet – Mayara Magri shows that “great dancing can overcome even the most banal production”
Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon returns to The Royal Ballet for its 50th Anniversary
17 January – 8 March 2024Live in cinemas: Wednesday 7 February 2024 The Royal Ballet presents Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon, 50 years since the production's 1974 premiere, and 100 years since the birth … [Read more...] about Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon returns to The Royal Ballet for its 50th Anniversary
[Review] A new dance biography: “Dynamo, Michael Somes – A Life in the Royal Ballet”
Jann Parry reviews Sarah Woodcock's lovingly written biography of The Royal Ballet's "almost legendary figure", Michael Somes For Royal Ballet aficionados of a certain age, Michael Somes was an … [Read more...] about [Review] A new dance biography: “Dynamo, Michael Somes – A Life in the Royal Ballet”
Dynamo – Sarah Woodcock’s new biography of The Royal Ballet star Michael Somes
Michael Somes is the unsung hero of the Royal Ballet - the dynamo driving performances as dancer and partner to Margot Fonteyn and as overseer of performances in the company's greatest years. Somes … [Read more...] about Dynamo – Sarah Woodcock’s new biography of The Royal Ballet star Michael Somes
Casting announced for American Ballet Theatre’s 2023 Fall Season
Casting for American Ballet Theatre’s 2023 Fall Season at the David H. Koch Theater from October 18–29 was announced today by Artistic Director Susan Jaffe. Ticket sales open on Wednesday 6 … [Read more...] about Casting announced for American Ballet Theatre’s 2023 Fall Season
American Ballet Theatre announces 2023 Fall Season in New York
American Ballet Theatre's Fall Season offers three programmes featuring seven ballets including the return of Petite Mort, Études, and Ballet Imperial at The David H. Koch Theater from 18-29 October … [Read more...] about American Ballet Theatre announces 2023 Fall Season in New York
[Review] The Royal Ballet’s Cinderella – not quite top drawer?
Paul Arrowsmith sees two debut casts in The Royal Ballet's new production of Cinderella TitleCinderellaCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, LondonDate22 April 2023, matinee and … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet’s Cinderella – not quite top drawer?
Alessandra Ferri and Massimo Murru give Manon masterclasses from La Scala
La Scala’s new evening of ballet, Great Choreographers, which will be streamed on Saturday 15 May, features Kenneth MacMillan’s bedroom pas de deux from his ballet Manon. It will be danced by Virna … [Read more...] about Alessandra Ferri and Massimo Murru give Manon masterclasses from La Scala
In conversation with Marianela Nuñez
The Royal Ballet’s Argentinian principal dancer, Marianela Nuñez, is in lockdown in Buenos Aires. She went there to be near her family and partner, because now home, for Nela, is London, which also … [Read more...] about In conversation with Marianela Nuñez
#OurHouseToYourHouse: tonight’s Royal Opera House’s 2nd live concert and next week’s programme
2nd Concert: Saturday 20 June Tonight is the second of the Live from Covent Garden concerts at 7.30pm BST which will be broadcast via the Royal Opera House website from Covent Garden. These are the … [Read more...] about #OurHouseToYourHouse: tonight’s Royal Opera House’s 2nd live concert and next week’s programme
Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson – so much passion
On 14 March 2020, The Royal Ballet’s principal dancer Lauren Cuthbertson was dancing Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. A rare honour. She was partnered by former … [Read more...] about Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson – so much passion
Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique
Everyone who has followed The Royal Ballet in rehearsal during World Ballet Day or watched the interval clips and interviews during the intervals of the company’s live cinema relays will know … [Read more...] about Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique
Rome Opera Ballet announces 2019-2020 season
Five different programmes make up Rome Opera Ballet’s new season, 2019-2020. Benjamin Pech’s successful Swan Lake will be remounted to open the season. This will be followed by an evening dedicated … [Read more...] about Rome Opera Ballet announces 2019-2020 season
Photo Album: first look at The Royal Ballet’s new triple bill
The Firebird / A Month in the Country / Symphony in C The curtain has just gone up on The Royal Ballet's latest triple bill and here are the first photos. The flash of a firebird, a family sent into … [Read more...] about Photo Album: first look at The Royal Ballet’s new triple bill
Lescaut almost steals the show among excellent performances in Manon at La Scala
I wonder how many reviews of Manon start by appraising the portrayal of Lescaut. A very important character of course, but certainly he has less plot points or stage time than Des Grieux and the … [Read more...] about Lescaut almost steals the show among excellent performances in Manon at La Scala
James Hobley, Britain’s Got Talent’s autistic dancer, now 19 leaves ENB’s school to join Scottish Ballet
James Hobley, first known to the general public as a Britain’s Got Talent finalist in 2011, has graduated from English National Ballet School and has a contract to start his professional career with … [Read more...] about James Hobley, Britain’s Got Talent’s autistic dancer, now 19 leaves ENB’s school to join Scottish Ballet
Photo Album: preview of tonight’s opening cast of Manon with Francesca Hayward and Federico Bonelli
Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon is revived at Covent Garden as part of continuing celebrations of MacMillan’s profound impact on British ballet, to mark the 25th anniversary of his death. Tonight's opening … [Read more...] about Photo Album: preview of tonight’s opening cast of Manon with Francesca Hayward and Federico Bonelli
Zenaida Yanowsky’s final curtain call
After 23 years with The Royal Ballet, last night Zenaida Yanowsky gave her final curtain call on the Covent Garden stage. Her final performance at the Royal Opera House was in Marguerite and Armand … [Read more...] about Zenaida Yanowsky’s final curtain call
Sergei Polunin returns to dance with Natalia Osipova at The Royal Ballet
Former Royal Ballet Principal Sergei Polunin will partner Natalia Osipova in June, when he returns to dance in Frederick Ashton’s Marguerite and Armand. Other casting sees another former Royal Ballet … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin returns to dance with Natalia Osipova at The Royal Ballet
Photos of the first night cast of The Royal Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty with Sarah Lamb and Vadim Muntagirov
The Sleeping Beauty holds a special place in The Royal Ballet’s repertory. It was the ballet with which the Company reopened the Royal Opera House in 1946 after World War II, its first production at … [Read more...] about Photos of the first night cast of The Royal Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty with Sarah Lamb and Vadim Muntagirov
Royal Ballet’s 70th anniversary revival of The Sleeping Beauty – casting and photos
The Sleeping Beauty reopened the Royal Opera House after the war in February 1946 when the Company first took up residence in Covent Garden with Margot Fonteyn dancing the role of Princess … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet’s 70th anniversary revival of The Sleeping Beauty – casting and photos
Sylvie’s last dance: a tribute to Guillem, the artist and her career
A tribute by Ioannides Yiannakis In 29 December 1984, after a memorable performance of Swan Lake at the Paris Opera, the great Rudolf Nureyev named an extraordinary 19-year-old étoile. Her name was … [Read more...] about Sylvie’s last dance: a tribute to Guillem, the artist and her career
Sarah Lamb makes her début at La Scala with Claudio Coviello in Manon
La Scala sometimes lets down its audience by casting a ‘local’ dancer when the star has cancelled. I apologise if I'm upsetting some of the company, but this is often a deluding experience resulting … [Read more...] about Sarah Lamb makes her début at La Scala with Claudio Coviello in Manon
Kevin O’Hare interview: It’s an exciting time for The Royal Ballet
This is an exciting time for The Royal Ballet, which has been on a roll for several years with an enthusiastic public for the sold-out performances at the Royal Opera House, the extremely popular live … [Read more...] about Kevin O’Hare interview: It’s an exciting time for The Royal Ballet