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”
Anthony Dowell
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 … [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
Carlos Acosta at The Royal Ballet: celebrating 17 years
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
50th Anniversary of MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet
The Royal Ballet 2015/16 Season opens this September with the return of Kenneth MacMillan’s landmark Romeo and Juliet, celebrating 50 years since its première at the Royal Opera House in 1965. It will … [Read more...] about 50th Anniversary of MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet
Marianela Nuñez leads out the Royal Ballet for their American tour
The Royal Ballet returns to the USA in June 2015 with programmes that reflect both the company’s heritage and its contemporary repertoire. It also brings with it the extraordinary lineup of dancers … [Read more...] about Marianela Nuñez leads out the Royal Ballet for their American tour
En Avant’s next ballet projects include a special encounter with Marcelo Gomes
The En Avant Foundation will present specialised coaching master classes for advanced pre-professional and professional dancers in San Francisco and in New York in April 2015. The Foundation's … [Read more...] about En Avant’s next ballet projects include a special encounter with Marcelo Gomes
Royal Ballet stalwart Derek Rencher dies at 82
Derek Rencher, one of the longest serving members of The Royal Ballet, has died at 82. Rencher was born in Birmingham on 6 June 1932. He joined the Sadler's Wells Ballet in 1953 and was promoted to … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet stalwart Derek Rencher dies at 82
Claudio Coviello spreads his wings in Swan Lake with Natalia Osipova
In a brave casting move, Makhar Vaziev, director of La Scala's ballet company, has given new-boy Claudio Coviello the opening night of Swan Lake with Natalia Osipova. 21-year-old Claudio … [Read more...] about Claudio Coviello spreads his wings in Swan Lake with Natalia Osipova
Cynthia Harvey answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? At age 8. A short time ago. Why did you start dancing? Apparently I preferred it to walking; actually I still do. Music was frequently played at home. My … [Read more...] about Cynthia Harvey answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Fabrice Calmels answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started dancing very young, around 4, at the dance studio in Magnanville, France. Why did you start dancing? I used to wait for my sister while she was … [Read more...] about Fabrice Calmels answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition