Matthew Paluch sees Sara Baras in Alma, part of the 2023 Flamenco Festival at Sadler's Wells TitleAlmaCompanyBallet Flamenco Sara BarasVenueSadler's Wells, LondonDate6 June 2023ReviewerMatthew … [Read more...] about [Review] Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras in Alma – this review could be two words long: Holy $#!+
Carla Fracci
[Review] The second annual Gala Fracci at La Scala
[Photo Album of Gala Fracci below] In 2021, the director of the La Scala ballet company, Manuel Legris, had the idea to invite Carla Fracci to give a short masterclass during preparations for … [Read more...] about [Review] The second annual Gala Fracci at La Scala
La Scala Ballet Season 2023-2024
The new Ballet Season, devised by La Scala’s ballet director Manuel Legris, presents seven titles ranging from 19th-century classics such as Coppélia – in a new version by Alexei Ratmansky to open the … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet Season 2023-2024
The second edition of the Carla Fracci gala arrives at La Scala
After the resounding success of the first edition of Gala Fracci – a tribute by La Scala to Carla Fracci – now, two years after her death (she died on 27 May 2021) comes the second edition of what … [Read more...] about The second edition of the Carla Fracci gala arrives at La Scala
[Interview] Riccardo Frizza conducts the Verdi Requiem on the 150th anniversary of Manzoni’s death
Alessandro Manzoni died in Milan on 22 May 1873, 150 years ago. The Milanese poet, novelist and philosopher is famous for his novel I promessi sposi (The Betrothed, 1827), which is full of … [Read more...] about [Interview] Riccardo Frizza conducts the Verdi Requiem on the 150th anniversary of Manzoni’s death
Bruno Vescovo, former principal dancer with the La Scala Ballet, has died at 73
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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”
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”
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
