How to celebrate a great dancer on stage? How to evoke memories of their artistry without creating a parody of their talent? Certainly, with Carla Fracci and the American Ballet Theatre video of … [Read more...] about Fracci Gala: La Scala celebrates Carla Fracci
Beppe Menegatti
Milan unveils a plaque for Carla Fracci
Four months after her death on 27 May 2021, Milan has remembered one of its most cherished children, the ballerina Carla Fracci, with a plaque on the building where she lived with her family from 1945 … [Read more...] about Milan unveils a plaque for Carla Fracci
Positano Premia la Danza dedicated to Carla Fracci
Positano Premia la Danza is an award ceremony followed by a gala that has been held almost every year for almost half a century – next year marks its 50th edition. The Sirenusas islands (more … [Read more...] about Positano Premia la Danza dedicated to Carla Fracci
A tram for Carla Fracci – tributes and honours
A week ago today, Carla Fracci’s funeral was televised live on RAI1, Italy’s main television channel. The day of her death, Thursday 27 May 2021, television schedules were immediately revised and her … [Read more...] about A tram for Carla Fracci – tributes and honours
Remembering Carla: ballet legend Carla Fracci dies at 84
This is the obituary I never wanted to write, and I certainly didn’t think I’d be writing it in 2021: Carla Fracci has died at 84, someone I imagined being exceptionally spritely well into her 90s. … [Read more...] about Remembering Carla: ballet legend Carla Fracci dies at 84
Filming starts on “Carla”, a biopic of the young Carla Fracci
Shooting has begun on the film for television, Carla, a biopic of the early life of Carla Fracci. Neapolitan actress Alessandra Mastronardi will play Italy’s ballet star in a production by Rai … [Read more...] about Filming starts on “Carla”, a biopic of the young Carla Fracci
[VIDEO] Massenet’s La Cigale with Carla Fracci and Paul Chalmer
It’s International Dance Day, and Gramilano’s uploaded a short compilation of clips from the first act of the little known ballet by Jules Massenet: La Cigale. The video was recorded in the Teatro … [Read more...] about [VIDEO] Massenet’s La Cigale with Carla Fracci and Paul Chalmer
Alberto Testa – Italian dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer – has died at 96
Alberto Testa was a walking encyclopedia of dance, always elegantly dressed with never a hair out of place, and was very much of another time recalling Frederick Ashton with his old-school ways. … [Read more...] about Alberto Testa – Italian dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer – has died at 96
Ballerina Jacquelin De Min dies at the age of 76
Ballerina Jacquelin De Min has died at the age of 76 at her home in Cannes after a long illness. She began dancing with the ballet company at the Opera House in Strasbourg when she was 16, and soon … [Read more...] about Ballerina Jacquelin De Min dies at the age of 76
Antipasto to the annual Les Étoiles gala in Rome with Russian and Italian ballet stars
As an antipasto to the annual Les Étoiles gala in Rome — this year a sold out two days, next year there will be three — in the luxurious setting of the Hotel de Russie near the Spanish Steps, there … [Read more...] about Antipasto to the annual Les Étoiles gala in Rome with Russian and Italian ballet stars
Ferruccio Soleri – After 60 years and 2,283 performances, Italy’s Arlecchino bows out
On 13 May, a very important actor took his final bow. Goldoni’s Harlequin, servant to two masters, known in Italy as simply Arlecchino, has seen Ferruccio Soleri in the leading role since 1959. Now, … [Read more...] about Ferruccio Soleri – After 60 years and 2,283 performances, Italy’s Arlecchino bows out
Dance Oscars 2017 are awarded in Rome
The ceremony for the first edition of the Oscar della Danza has been held at Cinecittà World in Rome. In Italy, there are the David di Donatello awards for cinema, the Italian Musical Awards, the … [Read more...] about Dance Oscars 2017 are awarded in Rome
Luisa Spinatelli – celebrating the life of the Milanese opera and ballet designer
Luisa Spinatelli… taking tasteful to a higher dimension The Amici della Scala (Friends of La Scala), run by the indefatigable Anna Crespi, gathered together at the association’s spectacular … [Read more...] about Luisa Spinatelli – celebrating the life of the Milanese opera and ballet designer
Composer György Kurtág celebrates his 91st birthday, and 70th wedding anniversary, with a Borletti-Buitoni Trust award
Today, Hungarian composer György Kurtág is celebrating his 91st birthday, and also his 70th wedding anniversary. He and his pianist wife, Márta, have been presented with a Borletti-Buitoni Trust … [Read more...] about Composer György Kurtág celebrates his 91st birthday, and 70th wedding anniversary, with a Borletti-Buitoni Trust award
To Carla Fracci, on your 80th Birthday, from your colleagues and friends
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
Photo album: Carla Fracci coaches Giselle at the ESDC Rosella Hightower
Last week Carla Fracci gave her first masterclass, together with a cocahing session, on the ballet she is most closely assocaited with, Giselle. The event happened at the Ecole Superieure de … [Read more...] about Photo album: Carla Fracci coaches Giselle at the ESDC Rosella Hightower
Paolo Poli 1929-2016 – Italy loses its most original talent
Paolo Poli was, like so many gigantic Italian talents whose fame is based on their way with words, little known outside his own country. He was born in Florence and possessed that typically Tuscan … [Read more...] about Paolo Poli 1929-2016 – Italy loses its most original talent
Eufemia Brancato, queen of the tutu, dies at 95
Eufemia Brancato died this morning three weeks before her 96th birthday. She was the head of Brancato Costumiers in Milan which she founded in 1961 after five years working at the Piccolo Teatro with … [Read more...] about Eufemia Brancato, queen of the tutu, dies at 95
Amici della Scala celebrates Lila de Nobili with Frigerio, Fracci, Bruson and …
The annual presentation of the latest additions to the series of books produced by the Amici della Scala (Friends of La Scala) is quite an event. It is held in the grand foyer on the first floor of … [Read more...] about Amici della Scala celebrates Lila de Nobili with Frigerio, Fracci, Bruson and …
Carla Fracci celebrates her 78th birthday in a new ballet
On 20 August last year Carla Fracci was celebrating her birthday frolicking in the Mediterranean Sea with her two grandchildren. This year, her 78th birthday, she'll be opening in a new ballet in … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci celebrates her 78th birthday in a new ballet
More dancers decide to leave Italy… most never come back
Italy's Got Talent. Lots of it. Sometimes that talent finds it difficult to emerge - it's not always what you know but who you know - and sometimes there's not enough room for everyone to show what … [Read more...] about More dancers decide to leave Italy… most never come back
Carla Fracci’s autobiography: Step After Step
Based on a long series of conversations with Enrico Rotelli, Passo dopo passo (Step After Step) is Carla Fracci telling her story in her own words. From a simple childhood during the war to the … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci’s autobiography: Step After Step
To Ivan with love… Carla Fracci
A caro Ivan con amore... A man is a man Ivan was a man A man who danced Who danced with his soul As true dancers must. A dancing friend A friend who has left us A man who has left us Until we … [Read more...] about To Ivan with love… Carla Fracci
Hey Old Friend… Carla Fracci and Roberto Bolle get together
At Milan's Teatro alla Scala the most important date of the year is 7 December, the opening of the opera and ballet season. The theatre bursts with stars and starlets, Fendi and face-lifts. One of the … [Read more...] about Hey Old Friend… Carla Fracci and Roberto Bolle get together
Carla Fracci frolicking in the sea at 77 and returning on stage
Carla Fracci will be 77 on Tuesday, but seemingly nothing can hold her back. A couple of days La Nazione newspaper photographed her frolicking in the sea with her two grandchildren. Paparazzi shots, … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci frolicking in the sea at 77 and returning on stage
Beppe Menegatti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Directors’ Edition
Q&A When did you first go to the theatre? To see Rigoletto at the Teatro Comunale in Florence on 10 October 1939 for my tenth birthday, with Gino Bechi, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Lina Aimaro and … [Read more...] about Beppe Menegatti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Directors’ Edition
“Meeting with Carla Fracci” at the Italian Cultural Institute in London’s Belgravia Square
Carla Fracci will appear at London's Italian Cultural Institute in London on October 3. The ICI is the official Italian governmental body dedicated to promoting Italian language and culture in England … [Read more...] about “Meeting with Carla Fracci” at the Italian Cultural Institute in London’s Belgravia Square
A new ballet company for Italy? Rome’s mayor announces a project for the Italian National Ballet
The Mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, has announced, We are working on a project with Carla Fracci to create a National Ballet Company which can bring the Rome experience to a national level. The … [Read more...] about A new ballet company for Italy? Rome’s mayor announces a project for the Italian National Ballet
Giuseppe Picone answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started when I was 10 years old at the Teatro San Carlo ballet school in Naples. Why did you start dancing? My elder brother Raffaele took me to the … [Read more...] about Giuseppe Picone answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
