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Antoinette Sibley

[Review] A new dance biography: “Dynamo, Michael Somes – A Life in the Royal Ballet”

27 September 2023 by Jann Parry 1 Comment

Dynamo-Michael-Somes-A-Life-in-the-Royal-Ballet-crop-jpg

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

23 September 2023 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Michael Somes, photo by Anthony Crickmay

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

28 August 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

On the Dnieper - B+

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

19 July 2023 by Gramilano 3 Comments

The Dream - B

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

Casting Announced for American Ballet Theatre’s 2022 Fall Season

24 August 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Whipped Cream - photo by Gene Schiavone, ABT

Casting for American Ballet Theatre’s 2022 Fall season has been announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie. Principal Dancers for the 2022 Fall season include Joo Won Ahn, Aran Bell, … [Read more...] about Casting Announced for American Ballet Theatre’s 2022 Fall Season

The Royal Academy of Dance uncovers unseen footage of Margot Fonteyn

2 December 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dame Margot Fonteyn at the RAD

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) has revealed that it has discovered footage of its former President, Dame Margot Fonteyn, never seen before and which will be available to view as part of a … [Read more...] about The Royal Academy of Dance uncovers unseen footage of Margot Fonteyn

Four Auroras – Fonteyn, Sibley, Jenner and Park with The Royal Ballet in 1972

22 April 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Fonteyn 1946 47 Season Presentation Brochure crop

Philip Hope-Wallace was the music, theatre and dance critic for The Guardian from 1959 until he died, twenty years later. The obituarist in The Times called him "a critic of the arts as wise and … [Read more...] about Four Auroras – Fonteyn, Sibley, Jenner and Park with The Royal Ballet in 1972

Preview: Nureyev the film is a glorious celebration of an exceptional life

12 September 2018 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Nureyev the film 7

Nureyev is an important new documentary about Rudolf Nureyev’s extraordinary life which will be shown in cinemas around the UK from 25 September. BAFTA nominated directors Jacqui and David Morris … [Read more...] about Preview: Nureyev the film is a glorious celebration of an exceptional life

Photo Album: preview of tonight’s opening cast of Manon with Francesca Hayward and Federico Bonelli

29 March 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Manon with Francesca Hayward as Manon and Federico Bonelli as Des Grieux ©ROH, 2018, photo by Bill Cooper (2)

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

Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Merle Park in 1979: Green Park, Hyde Park or Merle Park?

22 August 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Merle Park in The Firebird   photo by Roy Round

Merle Park, the engine driver’s daughter from Rhodesia (modern Zimbabwe), ended up being one of The Royal Ballet’s brightest stars. She says that she first realised she’d become famous when she heard … [Read more...] about Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Merle Park in 1979: Green Park, Hyde Park or Merle Park?

Sergei Polunin returns to dance with Natalia Osipova at The Royal Ballet

11 April 2017 by Gramilano 17 Comments

Tamara Rojo and Sergei Polunin in Marguerite and Armand, photo by Bill Cooper ROH

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

To Carla Fracci, on your 80th Birthday, from your colleagues and friends

20 August 2016 by Gramilano 23 Comments

Today is the 80th birthday of the Italian ballerina, Carla Fracci. She was born in Milan on 20 August 1936. To celebrate we asked fellow ballerinas, as well as actresses and designers she has worked … [Read more...] about To Carla Fracci, on your 80th Birthday, from your colleagues and friends

50th Anniversary of MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet

30 July 2015 by Gramilano 3 Comments

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

24 May 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

Natalia Osipova and an excellent cast début in Manon at La Scala

9 November 2013 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Natalia Osipova's début as Manon has inevitably aroused curiosity in dance circles as this ballet is one of the cornerstones of the Royal Ballet's repertory, a company she will be joining later this … [Read more...] about Natalia Osipova and an excellent cast début in Manon at La Scala

Cynthia Harvey answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

31 May 2013 by Gramilano 10 Comments

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

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NEWS

Royal Academy of Dance acquires Dancing Times photographic archive

[Review] Eun-Me Ahn’s ‘Dragons – “Like a large plate of tasteless food”

A final bow for Russell Janzen: From Danseur Noble to creating Contemporary Ballet

World premiere of film of Kenneth MacMillan’s Sea of Troubles

Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands embarks on six-month UK tour

The Royal Ballet celebrates Bronislava Nijinska in free livestream

Phoenix Dance Theatre appoints Marcus Jarrell Willis as new artistic director

Prison cancels opera about violent gangster and gay composer Ivor Novello

Scottish Ballet’s Twice-Born double bill in rehearsal

SlowDancing/NYCB – hyper slow-motion films of New York City Ballet dancers in NYC

FEATURED POSTS

Grand Pas Classique at English National Ballet, photo by Laurent Liotardo

Introducing 19-year-old Canadian dancer Shale Wagman: from Lausanne to ENB to the Mariinsky

Francesco Gabriele Frola. Photo By Karolina Kuras, 2016 01

Meet Francesco Gabriele Frola — National Ballet of Canada and English National Ballet’s new Principal Dancer

Lawrence Brownlee & Michael Spyres crop

[Interview] Michael Spyres and Lawrence Brownlee on their new Rossini album

Joyce DiDonato answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Dancers' injuries illustration

Dance injuries from the ballet dancer’s point of view: top stars share their experiences

How to stage a ballet… Maina Gielgud explains

Nunez headshot cropped

In conversation with Marianela Nuñez

Coppélia with Vadim Muntagirov and Marianela Nunez, photo by Bill Cooper ROH

Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique

Vittorio Grigolo’s new women’s shoes and a song for Hillary Clinton

In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?

GRAMILANO

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan, aka ‘Gramilano’. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. He wrote the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

Since 2022, Gramilano is pleased to welcome guest authors: Alisa Alekseeva, Paul Arrowsmith, Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel, Jonathan Gray, Marina Harss, Matthew Paluch, Jann Parry, Graham Watts, and Deborah Weiss.

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