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Bolshoi Ballet

After the Bolshoi, Jacopo Tissi joins Dutch National Ballet

24 August 2023 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Jacopo Tissi as Albrect, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2022

Jacopo Tissi has been offered a contract as principal dancer with the Dutch National Ballet (Het Nationale Ballet) in Amsterdam. He left the same position at the Bolshoi Theatre in 2022 after Russia … [Read more...] about After the Bolshoi, Jacopo Tissi joins Dutch National Ballet

La Scala and Manuel Legris remember Pierre Lacotte

11 April 2023 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Pierre Lacotte rehearsing La Sylphide at La Scala, photo by Marco Brescia 2005 crop

Pierre Lacotte: 4 April 1932 – 10 April 2023 The Teatro alla Scala and its ballet company, the intendant Dominque Meyer and the ballet director Manuel Legris, join the mourning dance world for the … [Read more...] about La Scala and Manuel Legris remember Pierre Lacotte

The Bolshoi Theatre’s Ballet Day online

29 October 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The Russian theatres will not be taking part in World Ballet Day on 2 November, but The Bolshoi Theatre will host its annual live stream of dance on its YouTube channel on the eve of World Ballet … [Read more...] about The Bolshoi Theatre’s Ballet Day online

[Interview] Olga Smirnova on leaving the Bolshoi Ballet – Everyone must deal with their conscience

1 April 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Olga Smirnova as Nikiya in La Bayadére, photo by Damir Yusupov, 2018

In an interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper, Olga Smirnova – the courageously outspoken Bolshoi star who has left Russia to join the Dutch National Ballet – talked about her bold … [Read more...] about [Interview] Olga Smirnova on leaving the Bolshoi Ballet – Everyone must deal with their conscience

Jacopo Tissi moves from the Bolshoi Ballet to La Scala

31 March 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

08 - La Bayadère, with Jacopo Tissi, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

From the 2022-2023 season, Jacopo Tissi will be a guest principal dancer with the La Scala Ballet Company. The contract has been agreed with ballet director Manuel Legris and theatre manager Dominique … [Read more...] about Jacopo Tissi moves from the Bolshoi Ballet to La Scala

Extraordinary dancers will dance for Ukraine in Naples and Milan

26 March 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Ballet for Peace

Some of the dance names that have been making headlines recently will dance for Ukraine in two upcoming galas in Italy: Olga Smirnova, Victor Caixeta, Jacopo Tissi, Iana Salenko, Anastasia Matvienko … [Read more...] about Extraordinary dancers will dance for Ukraine in Naples and Milan

Olga Smirnova leaves the Bolshoi Company for Amsterdam

16 March 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Olga Smirnova As Nikiya In La Bayadére, Photo By Damir Yusupov 2018

The Russian principal dancer Olga Smirnova, an outspoken critic of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has decided to leave the Bolshoi Ballet Company where she is one of its most popular and admired … [Read more...] about Olga Smirnova leaves the Bolshoi Company for Amsterdam

Principal dancers leave the Mariinsky and Bolshoi companies

7 March 2022 by Gramilano 8 Comments

Tissi-Parish

Principal dancer Jacopo Tissi has decided to leave the Bolshoi ballet company and principal Xander Parish the Mariinsky because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They are both exceptional as there … [Read more...] about Principal dancers leave the Mariinsky and Bolshoi companies

The Australian Ballet to stream three story-ballets live

26 February 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Anna Karenina - Imogen Chapmen, photo by Simon Eeles 7

The Australian Ballet, now under its new Artistic Director David Hallberg, has announced three new titles as part of its 2022 live stream series: Live on Ballet TV. Anna Karenina will be streamed … [Read more...] about The Australian Ballet to stream three story-ballets live

The Bolshoi’s new principal dancer Jacopo Tissi returns to La Scala with Zakharova

21 January 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Jacopo Tissi In La Bayadére, Photo By Damir Yusupov, 2018

La Scala’s new production of La Bayadère, which was moved from the holiday period to the end of January because of multiple Covid-19 infections among the dancers, has resulted in recasting because of … [Read more...] about The Bolshoi’s new principal dancer Jacopo Tissi returns to La Scala with Zakharova

Italy’s Jacopo Tissi is promoted to Principal Dancer at the Bolshoi

5 January 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Alena Kovaleva and Jacopo Tissi in Grand Pas Classique, Ravenna Festival 2019

Italian dancer Jacopo Tissi has been promoted to the top rank of the Bolshoi Company dancers in Moscow. Tissi is now a Principal Dancer alongside Artemy Belyakov, Semyon Chudin, Vladislav Lantratov, … [Read more...] about Italy’s Jacopo Tissi is promoted to Principal Dancer at the Bolshoi

#WorldBalletDay 2021 – the global celebration of dance

2 September 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

World Ballet Day 2021

The Royal Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet and The Australian Ballet have announced that #WorldBalletDay 2021 will take place on 19 October. The global celebration returns for its eighth year, bringing … [Read more...] about #WorldBalletDay 2021 – the global celebration of dance

Bolshoi Ballet director on injury, race, harassment and a new theatre

1 August 2021 by Gramilano 13 Comments

Makhar Vaziev, artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet company, talks about some of the most discussed problems in ballet today, as well as wanting a third theatre in Moscow for the Bolshoi opera and … [Read more...] about Bolshoi Ballet director on injury, race, harassment and a new theatre

Violetta Elvin, Royal Ballet prima ballerina, dies at 97

1 June 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Violetta Elvin in 1953

The great Russian dancer, Violetta Elvin, dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet Company and prima ballerina of The Royal Ballet, died on 27 May at the age of 97. Elvin had lived in Vico Equense in the … [Read more...] about Violetta Elvin, Royal Ballet prima ballerina, dies at 97

Russian Ballet: Quarantine, death, and the reality of performing during a pandemic

19 December 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Igor Tsvirko in Spartacus, Bolshoi Ballet

Many ballet lovers – both online fans and offline friends – have been voicing their resentment that ballet in Europe and America is either not permitted, or has to comply with social distancing … [Read more...] about Russian Ballet: Quarantine, death, and the reality of performing during a pandemic

#WorldBalletDay 2020: The Royal Ballet, Bolshoi and Australian Ballet itineraries for 29 October

27 October 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Darcey Bussell and The Royal Ballet rehearsing The Sleeping Beauty during World Ballet Day 2019 (c) 2019 ROH. Photograph by Gavin Smart

World Ballet Day 2020 on 29 October, will be the biggest ever celebration of global dance with 40 dance companies participating in this year’s live streamed event. Dance companies from around the … [Read more...] about #WorldBalletDay 2020: The Royal Ballet, Bolshoi and Australian Ballet itineraries for 29 October

Interview: Who is Jacopo Tissi? The Bolshoi’s enigmatic Italian star talks about Moscow, Milan and London, “It certainly wasn’t easy”

4 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Jacopo Tissi in Swan Lake crop

Three years ago, Jacopo Tissi left La Scala to join the Bolshoi Company in Moscow. Makhar Vaziev, the Company’s current director, was previously the director at La Scala and had seen Tissi’s work. It … [Read more...] about Interview: Who is Jacopo Tissi? The Bolshoi’s enigmatic Italian star talks about Moscow, Milan and London, “It certainly wasn’t easy”

Photo album: Gala Les Étoiles at Ravenna Festival with international ballet stars

26 July 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Diamonds (from Balanchine's Jewels) with Alena Kovaleva and Jacopo Tissi © Graham Spicer, Daniele Cipriani Entertainment 6

Dorothée Gilbert and Hugo Marchand (Paris Opera Ballet), Jacopo Tissi and Alena Kovaleva (Bolshoi Ballet), Bakhtiyar Adamzhan (Astana Opera, Kazakhstan), Tatiana Melnik (Hungarian National Ballet), … [Read more...] about Photo album: Gala Les Étoiles at Ravenna Festival with international ballet stars

Photo album: Osiel Gouneo as Spartacus with the Bayerisches Staatsballett

7 April 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Spartacus with the Bayerisches Staatsballett © Luca Vantusso 2019 1

The Bayerisches Staatsballett is the first Western European company to dance Yuri Grigorovich’s Spartacus, which he created in 1968 for the Bolshoi Ballet. It has become the trademark Soviet ballet. … [Read more...] about Photo album: Osiel Gouneo as Spartacus with the Bayerisches Staatsballett

Danza in Italia column returns in the latest issue of Dancing Times

25 October 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dancing Times November 2018

The latest issue of Dancing Times magazine, November 2018, is being shipped to newstands as I write. The new Danza in Italia column looks at Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote at Teatro alla Scala, with … [Read more...] about Danza in Italia column returns in the latest issue of Dancing Times

The impeccable Bolshoi dancers in Maillot’s slick Taming of the Shrew at La Scala

23 September 2018 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Ekaterina Krysanova and Vladislav Lantratov in The Taming of the Shrew, photo by Alice Blangero

Lots of empty seats were available for the Bolshoi Ballet at La Scala in The Taming of the Shrew. La Bayadère – great; Swan Lake – ooh yes; Giselle – lovely; Taming of the Shrew? – err. Word of mouth … [Read more...] about The impeccable Bolshoi dancers in Maillot’s slick Taming of the Shrew at La Scala

Review: Three casts for La Bayadère with the Bolshoi at La Scala

20 September 2018 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Shadows In La Bayadére, Photo By Damir Yusupov, 2008

How secretly gratifying it is when wine experts trip up, rating High Street plonk higher than the Premier cru. Ballet music could benefit from unlabelled listening. Minkus is routinely pooh-poohed, … [Read more...] about Review: Three casts for La Bayadère with the Bolshoi at La Scala

Photo Album and full casting – Bolshoi dancers in Milan

23 July 2018 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Margarita Shrainer As Gamzatti In La Bayadére, Photo By Damir Yusupov, 2018

After an 11-year absence, the Bolshoi Ballet returns to Milan. In 2007, the company came with La Fille du Pharaon and The Bright Stream. From 7 to 13 September they will be at La Scala with La … [Read more...] about Photo Album and full casting – Bolshoi dancers in Milan

Finalists of English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer competition at the London Coliseum in June

23 January 2018 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Francesca Velicu in Pina Bausch's Le Sacre du printemps with English National Ballet © Laurent Liotardo

On Monday 11 June 2018, English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer competition will be held at the London Coliseum for the first time. Emerging Dancer is a key part of English National Ballet’s … [Read more...] about Finalists of English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer competition at the London Coliseum in June

The world’s cheapest city (and most expensive) for a cultural break

24 August 2017 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Itziar Mendizabal as the Queen of Hearts and Artists of the Royal Ballet in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Royal Ballet © ROH, Johan Persson 2013

Prague has come up trumps as the place where those planning a cultural city break can save money this autumn, according to the 2017 British Post Office Travel Money Cost of Culture Report. The … [Read more...] about The world’s cheapest city (and most expensive) for a cultural break

World Ballet Day 2017: 5 October Live with Australian, Bolshoi, Royal, Canadian and San Francisco Ballet Companies

8 August 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Five of the world's leading ballet companies will come together for World Ballet Day on Thursday 5 October to broadcast 20 hours of live, behind-the-scenes footage via Facebook Live, following a … [Read more...] about World Ballet Day 2017: 5 October Live with Australian, Bolshoi, Royal, Canadian and San Francisco Ballet Companies

Bolshoi Ballet’s Vladislav Lantratov on the cancelling of Nureyev: There is nothing worse for an artist…

24 July 2017 by Gramilano 1 Comment

HELLO  Russia

On 8 July, after the dress rehearsal of the Bolshoi Ballet’s ambitious new ballet on the life of Rudolf Nureyev, the premiere was cancelled. Vladislav Lantratov was to have played Nureyev and, stunned … [Read more...] about Bolshoi Ballet’s Vladislav Lantratov on the cancelling of Nureyev: There is nothing worse for an artist…

Bolshoi Ballet’s Italian dancer, Jacopo Tissi, on his first year in Moscow and dancing Diamonds at the Lincoln Center

12 July 2017 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Jacopo Tissi in Le spectre de la rose, photo by Alexander Yakovlev

Last August, young ballet dancer Jacopo Tissi, resigned from the La Scala Ballet to accept the offer a contract with the Bolshoi Company. As I wrote last September, it’s not something that happens … [Read more...] about Bolshoi Ballet’s Italian dancer, Jacopo Tissi, on his first year in Moscow and dancing Diamonds at the Lincoln Center

Bolshoi Ballet in cinema 2017-2018

7 June 2017 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Olga Smirnova as Bianca and Artemy Belyakov as Baptista, photo by Elena Fetisova

The Bolshoi have released their cinema screening programme for the next season. Four are live broadcasts and four have already been transmitted. This is the 5th year that the Bolshoi has been … [Read more...] about Bolshoi Ballet in cinema 2017-2018

Benois de la Danse winners 2017 – Pite, Pagliero, Riccetto, Haydée, Rodkin, Marchand

31 May 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Maria Riccetto as Tatiana in Onegin, BNS Ballet Nacional Sodre

Last night, on the Bolshoi’s Historical Stage, the recipients of the Benois de la Danse prizes for 2017 were announced. Crystal Pite won the prize for Best Choreographer for The Seasons’ Canon, … [Read more...] about Benois de la Danse winners 2017 – Pite, Pagliero, Riccetto, Haydée, Rodkin, Marchand

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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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