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Carla Fracci

Bruno Vescovo, former principal dancer with the La Scala Ballet, has died at 73

2 January 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Bruno Vescovo crop, photo by Lelli e Masotti, Teatro alla Scala

Bruno was a dancer of modest height with a fast dynamic, a physical quality that matched his personality. He often danced together with Anna Maria Grossi, a beautifully proportioned dancer who … [Read more...] about Bruno Vescovo, former principal dancer with the La Scala Ballet, has died at 73

[Review] Rudolf Nureyev’s Nutcracker at La Scala – lacking fizz

26 December 2022 by Gramilano 6 Comments

23 - Nutcracker - ch Rudolf Nureyev with Agnese Di Clemente. Photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala

The return to La Scala of Rudolf Nureyev’s Nutcracker after 16 years gives back a well-loved production after the theatre flirted with versions by Duato and Balanchine, and it marks another step in … [Read more...] about [Review] Rudolf Nureyev’s Nutcracker at La Scala – lacking fizz

[Photo album] Carla Fracci’s Giselle in Rome with Susanna Salvi and Michele Satriano

6 November 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

05 - Giselle - Susanna Salvi (Giselle), photo by Yasuko Kageyama, Opera di Roma

Rome Opera Ballet’s Giselle is dedicated to Carla Fracci and is the last ballet of the 2021-2022 season in the capital. It is the choreographic version she created in 2004 while she was director of … [Read more...] about [Photo album] Carla Fracci’s Giselle in Rome with Susanna Salvi and Michele Satriano

[Review] Carla Fracci’s Giselle in Rome – Natalia Osipova kneeling at the altar of emotional honesty

2 November 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Giselle - Natalia Osipova and Jacopo Tissi (Albrecht), photo by Fabrizio Sansoni, Rome Opera 2022_2

In honour of Carla Fracci, who died last year, Rome Opera Ballet has restaged her version of Giselle, which was mounted in 2004 during her time as director of the company (2000-2010). The production … [Read more...] about [Review] Carla Fracci’s Giselle in Rome – Natalia Osipova kneeling at the altar of emotional honesty

[Review] Nuñez and Bolle give powerful performances in Onegin at La Scala

17 September 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Onegin - Roberto Bolle, Marianela Nunez. photo Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala-02

An odd mixture of emotions came over me entering the stalls at La Scala to see Onegin. On the ballet’s previous outing, three years ago, I attended a performance with Carla Fracci. We’d walked from … [Read more...] about [Review] Nuñez and Bolle give powerful performances in Onegin at La Scala

Julio Bocca and Alessandra Ferri – together again at La Scala

7 July 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Julio Bocca and Alessandra Ferri together again, courtesy of Julio Bocca

Julio Bocca and Alessandra Ferri have shared the stage many times during their successful partnership which began in the 1980s when the American Ballet Theatre brought them together – it was a … [Read more...] about Julio Bocca and Alessandra Ferri – together again at La Scala

Étoile Eleonora Abbagnato to dance with her 10-year-old daughter

6 July 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Eleonora Abbagnato in In the Night, Rome Opera Ballet, 2012-13, photo Lelli e Masotti

Eleonora Abbagnato, former étoile with the Paris Opera Ballet and director of the Rome Opera Ballet, has two children with her husband, the former footballer Federico Balzaretti – Julia, 10 years old, … [Read more...] about Étoile Eleonora Abbagnato to dance with her 10-year-old daughter

La Scala Ballet Season 2022-2023

6 June 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Le Corsaire, Nicoletta Manni, Marco Agostino and Alessandro Grillo, photo Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2018

La Scala’s ballet company has announced its 2022-2023 season with even more performances than the 2019-2020 had planned. This is a positive move for Italian dance which has seen audience numbers … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet Season 2022-2023

[Interview] Alessandra Ferri, part two: “When dance saved me”

22 April 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

GALA FRACCI - L'heure exquise - Alessandra Ferri Carsten Jung - photo by Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala (4)

When I was three, I was already living out stories in my head and had the feeling of another reality calling me. Even though my parents didn't go to the theatre, I said, “I want to go to dance … [Read more...] about [Interview] Alessandra Ferri, part two: “When dance saved me”

[Interview] Alessandra Ferri, part one: “The voice of the soul is immense”

21 April 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Alessandra Ferri photo by ASH photography

Alessandra Ferri has had a long career – albeit interrupted for six years when she retired – though ‘career’ is a word she doesn’t like. It implies a job more than a vocation. It implies a … [Read more...] about [Interview] Alessandra Ferri, part one: “The voice of the soul is immense”

Fracci Gala: La Scala celebrates Carla Fracci

13 April 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

GALA FRACCI - Giselle - photo by Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala

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

Carla Fracci

Gramilano dance quotes

Miss Fracci as the Sylphide who prettily lures a young Scotsman to leave his fiancée and fly with her to the woods, was like a Romantic lithograph come to life. Her curled arms, smiling face and … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci

La Scala honours Carla Fracci with the first annual gala

18 February 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Carla Fracci 1983 Giselle, photo by Lelli e Masotti © Teatro alla Scala crop

On Saturday 9 April 2022 La Scala will present Gala Fracci – First Edition. The director of La Scala’s ballet company, Manuel Legris, has devised a wide-ranging programme that reflects the repertoire … [Read more...] about La Scala honours Carla Fracci with the first annual gala

Italian theatre director Filippo Crivelli dies at 93

6 February 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Ballo Excelsior, 2015, photo by Brescia e Amisano

Filippo Crivelli: born Milan, 27 March 1928 – died Milan, 6 February 2022 The theatre director Filippo Crivelli, who guided many artists on stage – from Maria Callas to Carla Fracci – died during … [Read more...] about Italian theatre director Filippo Crivelli dies at 93

In Memoriam 2021: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors

4 January 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

In memorium - 2021

In memoriam 2021: From Carla Fracci to Christa Ludwig, from Stephen Sondheim to Raffaella Carrà - a personal list of some of the artists the world lost in 2021. NameDatesAgeDescriptionLiam … [Read more...] about In Memoriam 2021: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors

Carla Fracci is buried in Milan’s Famedio

21 October 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Interment of Carla Fracci's ashes, Famedio, Milan, 21 October 2021 - 3

Today, in a private ceremony, Carla Fracci’s ashes were interred in Milan’s Cimitero Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery) in Milan. The main entrance to the vast cemetery is via the imposing … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci is buried in Milan’s Famedio

Milan unveils a plaque for Carla Fracci

27 September 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

L’Heure exquise: Happy days for Alessandra Ferri

26 September 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

L'Heure Exquise © Silvia Lelli, Ravenna 2021

Alessandra Ferri searched out and produced L’Heure exquise to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her joining The Royal Ballet and embarking on her career. She said, “I was looking for a significant … [Read more...] about L’Heure exquise: Happy days for Alessandra Ferri

Positano Premia la Danza dedicated to Carla Fracci

22 September 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Television interview with Beppe Menegatti

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

Choreographer Micha van Hoecke has died at 77

12 August 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Micha van Hoecke

Choreographer and director Micha van Hoecke has died after a long illness, at 77. He was a leading figure in Italian and European dance from the early 1960s. He began as a dancer with Roland Petit, … [Read more...] about Choreographer Micha van Hoecke has died at 77

Roberto Bolle interview: Who I am now

7 August 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Roberto Bolle in Waves by Massimiliano Volpini, photo by Andrej Uspenski (4)

Beginnings My physique could have led me to sport or cinema, but my passion for dance showed itself at an early age. When I was three years old, I would watch dance on television and try to copy … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle interview: Who I am now

Dancing Times magazine’s August 2021 edition with Danza in Italia and queer representation in ballet

2 August 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

47 Danza in Italia - August_crop

Dancing Times’ latest edition is out, and the Gramilano Danza in Italia column talks about Carla Fracci’s appearance in a 12-part televised documentary series about La Scala’s ballet company at a time … [Read more...] about Dancing Times magazine’s August 2021 edition with Danza in Italia and queer representation in ballet

Rome Opera Ballet announces 2021-2022 season

20 July 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

The Nutcracker with Rebecca Bianchi, Rome Opera Ballet, photo by Yasuko Kageyama

The Nutcracker opens on 19 December and runs until 2 January in a contemporary reinterpretation created by Giuliano Peparini for the Rome Opera Ballet in 2015. Company étoiles Alessandra Amato and … [Read more...] about Rome Opera Ballet announces 2021-2022 season

[Photos and review] La Scala celebrates with its Four Choreographers Evening

10 June 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

CONCERTO DSCH, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala (8)

Wednesday 9 June was something of a celebration at La Scala with its ballet company returning to perform before a live audience. The current regulations only allow for 500 spectators but being that … [Read more...] about [Photos and review] La Scala celebrates with its Four Choreographers Evening

A tram for Carla Fracci – tributes and honours

5 June 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

A tram for Carla Fracci

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

The Royal Opera House 2021-2022 ballet and dance season

2 June 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Sarah Lamb as Odette and Ryoichi Hirano as Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, The Royal Ballet © 2018 ROH. Photograph by Bill Cooper

The Royal Opera House has announced details of its 2021-22 Season, the first full Season since 2019. Opening on Monday 13 September, the Season includes five world premieres from The Royal … [Read more...] about The Royal Opera House 2021-2022 ballet and dance season

La Scala 2021-2022 Ballet Season

31 May 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

La bayadère - Makarova's version, photo by Marco Brescia © Teatro alla Scala

La Scala has bravely announced a full season for 2021-2022. This is the first ballet season organised by La Scala’s new director of the Ballet Company, Manuel Legris. There are seven programmes, with … [Read more...] about La Scala 2021-2022 Ballet Season

Luciana Novaro, Italian ballerina who danced with Massine and Lifar, dies at 98

31 May 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

1953 Luciana Novaro in Le Baiser de la fée, photo by Erio Piccagliani © Teatro alla Scala crop

Luciana Novaro, a hugely important figure in Italian ballet, died on 26 May at 98. Her passing was unfortunately overshadowed by the death several hours later of the ballerina Carla Fracci, her friend … [Read more...] about Luciana Novaro, Italian ballerina who danced with Massine and Lifar, dies at 98

La Scala pays tribute to Carla Fracci

27 May 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

After the filming of Giselle in January 2021, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala

La Scala is extremely saddened by the news of Carla Fracci's death today at her home in Milan. The theatre, the city and dance have lost an historical, legendary figure who left a strong mark on our … [Read more...] about La Scala pays tribute to Carla Fracci

Remembering Carla: ballet legend Carla Fracci dies at 84

27 May 2021 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Carla Fracci 1964 Giselle photo Erio Piccagliani crop

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

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Bruno Vescovo, former principal dancer with the La Scala Ballet, has died at 73

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GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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