Rome Opera Ballet presents a Philip Glass Evening, which opens 29 March 2019, and features a new work with the company’s director, Eleonora Abbagnato, and guest artist Friedemann Vogel.The programme offers Benjamin Millepied’s Hearts and Arrows, Jerome Robbins’s Glass Pieces, and Nuit Blanche, a new piece by Sébastien Bertaud with designs by Christian Dior Couture. Abbagnato … [Read more...] about Rome Opera Ballet presents a Philip Glass Evening featuring a new work with Eleonora Abbagnato and Friedemann Vogel
Carmen
Ramasar and Salvi shine in Jiří Bubeníček’s new version of Carmen in Rome
Another Carmen? Well, yes, but there is a slightly different slant to this new production for the Rome Opera Ballet because Jiří Bubeníček has used Prosper Mérimée’s novella as his starting point, not Bizet’s opera. The ballet does, however, use Bizet’s music for the main part, which instantly removes originality from the score. Apart from a few interventions with musicians … [Read more...] about Ramasar and Salvi shine in Jiří Bubeníček’s new version of Carmen in Rome
Anita Rachvelishvili and David Aladashvili cast magic at La Scala
It’s not often that the accompanist for a recital is mentioned in the opening paragraph of a review, but Anita Rachvelishvili’s recital at La Scala with pianist David Aladashvili was a true joint effort, not just musically, but from how they shared the stage. They obviously know each other very well and although Aladashvili, a fellow Georgian, respectfully stayed by his … [Read more...] about Anita Rachvelishvili and David Aladashvili cast magic at La Scala
Massimo Cavalletti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italianoWhen did you start singing? I began singing when I was six years old in the choir at Saint Anne’s church in Lucca, where I was born. I started singing opera when I was twenty-one.Why did you start singing? I began singing because as soon as I discovered my voice it immediately became a need and an overwhelming desire. I knew from the beginning that … [Read more...] about Massimo Cavalletti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Marco Berti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? More or less I’ve always sung. First at my local church, then one day my cousin, who sung Ave Marie for weddings, gave me the chance to try and I did. Since then I’ve never stopped.Why did you start singing? Like almost all singers, for passion, because I love opera. I come from a very humble family but there was always … [Read more...] about Marco Berti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Mathilde Froustey answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&AWhen did you start dancing? I started at the age of 10 in my hometown Dax, near Bordeaux in southwest France.I was hyperactive so my mother had me do as many activities as I possibly could (tennis, swimming, violin, theatre, gymnastics, horse riding, skiing...) I started ballet because I had a bad back and my mother wanted me to stand straight. I hated it when … [Read more...] about Mathilde Froustey answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Francesca Hayward answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&AWhen did you start dancing? When I was 3 years old. My grandparents didn't know how to keep me occupied so they bought a video of The Nutcracker on a whim and that was it, I was happy all day long.Why did you start dancing? I can't give a definite reason, I just used to dance everywhere, wherever I was! Taking me to ballet classes seemed like an obvious thing … [Read more...] about Francesca Hayward answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Carmen Medea Cassandra – Il processo: tonight and on tour
Carmen, Medea and Cassandra... just imagine all three around your dinner table... a diplomatic nightmare. For Italian choreographer Luciano Cannito they have provided him with inspiration for a new pièce: part dance, part poetry.Called 'Il processo' - The Trial - it gives these three women a chance to tell their side of their story, stories which are universal and still … [Read more...] about Carmen Medea Cassandra – Il processo: tonight and on tour
Mark S Doss answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? I was in the 5th grade when the music teacher, Mrs Mapson, asked me to sing the Wells Fargo Wagon song from Music Man. She heard me sing it back to her and then exclaimed, "Wow, that's beautiful! You could go to New York right now and make a lot of money!" Scared to death of that comment I didn't sing ANYTHING for a long time … [Read more...] about Mark S Doss answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Alessandra Ferri on working with Roland Petit
He was the greatest. Working with him I touched upon genius itself. He gave you the essence of a character in a single gesture, in an instant. A dancer was never the same after meeting him.Petit forced me to bring out the tiger that was inside me. I was almost 20 when I débuted in Carmen with Peter Schaufuss. To learn the ballet I flew to New York and Marseille: I entered … [Read more...] about Alessandra Ferri on working with Roland Petit