The Italian conductor Sesto Quatrini is currently in Germany at the Deutsche Oper Berlin preparing for performances of Rigoletto which begin this week. Until October he was at The Royal Opera House … [Read more...] about [Interview] Italian conductor Sesto Quatrini – “voices hold an ancestral power over me”
coronavirus
The end of an era – the last issue of Dancing Times is published
The last ever issue of Dancing Times magazine has been published, the September 2022 edition, after 112 years of uninterrupted work in communicating all things dance to its readership. Jonathan … [Read more...] about The end of an era – the last issue of Dancing Times is published
Dancing Times magazine to close after 112 years
I write with great sadness that Dancing Times magazine will cease publication and that the September 2022 issue will be its last. As many of you know, I have been writing a column for the magazine … [Read more...] about Dancing Times magazine to close after 112 years
La Scala cancels the opening of its ballet season for Covid
An outbreak of Covid invections among the dancers at La Scala has led to the premiere of the new production of La Bayadère on 15 December being cancelled, or rather postponed. Hoping that the current … [Read more...] about La Scala cancels the opening of its ballet season for Covid
Italian theatres return to 100% capacity
From today, 11 October, Italian theatres return to 100% capacity. After months of struggling with an income from 50% houses the Council of Ministers has decided that theatres, cinemas, and cultural … [Read more...] about Italian theatres return to 100% capacity
Opera at La Scala cancelled for Covid-19
La Scala has been forced to cancel tomorrow's performance of L'italiana in Algeri after a company member tested positive yesterday morning, Sunday 23 May, for Covid-19. Only one performance for … [Read more...] about Opera at La Scala cancelled for Covid-19
Italian dance impresario offers takeaway theatre shows
Takeaway culture was an idea that came to Italian impresario Daniele Cipriani one morning on his way to his local bar in Rome: By now we are used to taking everything away, from dinner to coffee, … [Read more...] about Italian dance impresario offers takeaway theatre shows
Vail Dance Festival returns for the 2021 Season
The Vail Dance Festival has announced plans to return in-person for its 32nd season running from 30 July 30 to 9 August 2021, with seven World Premiere Dances, four Commissioned Scores, the return to … [Read more...] about Vail Dance Festival returns for the 2021 Season
La Scala calls for vaccinations for its workers to reopen the theatre
La Scala's Intendent, Dominique Meyer, has launched an appeal to the government: If we want to reopen Italy's theatres there is only one solution, – he told the ANSA news agency – and that is that … [Read more...] about La Scala calls for vaccinations for its workers to reopen the theatre
38 members of La Scala’s ballet company test positive for Covid
There has been an outbreak of coronavirus cases in the Corps de Ballet at La Scala, discovered because of the theatre's regular testing programme. 35 dancers and three members of the Ballet … [Read more...] about 38 members of La Scala’s ballet company test positive for Covid
Russian Ballet: Quarantine, death, and the reality of performing during a pandemic
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
Dancers leaving The Royal Ballet in 2020
The following dancers have decided to leave The Royal Ballet during the 2020/21 Season, taking up voluntary redundancy as part of the Royal Opera House restructure in response to the coronavirus … [Read more...] about Dancers leaving The Royal Ballet in 2020
Korea National Ballet told to reinstate quarantine-breaking dancer
Earlier this year, the Korea National Ballet fired 28-year-old corps de ballet dancer Na Dae-han for travelling abroad during quarantine in late February. A statement in March read: As a national … [Read more...] about Korea National Ballet told to reinstate quarantine-breaking dancer
The Royal Opera to put on fully-staged performances of Tosca
The Royal Opera’s Winter 2020/21 programme will open with 12 performances of Tosca. The revival of Jonathan Kent’s 2006 production will see Anna Netrebko in the title role, Yusif Eyvazov, Gerald … [Read more...] about The Royal Opera to put on fully-staged performances of Tosca
La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December
Despite coronavirus restrictions, La Scala will celebrate the opening of its season 2020-2021 – however long or short it may be – on 7 December, the feast of Saint Ambrose, Milan’s saint’s day. The … [Read more...] about La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December
Plácido Domingo cancels Italian dates for health problems
Plácido Domingo has cancelled his Italian commitments in November due to a health problem that has arisen in the last few hours. The unnamed problem prohibits him from travelling and working, … [Read more...] about Plácido Domingo cancels Italian dates for health problems
Sergio Bernal on his new Dance Company “This is not just a show, it is the new Sergio”
How were dancer Sergio Bernal and choreographer Ricardo Cué to know that their plans to form a new company would coincide with a global pandemic. A company based in Madrid too, one of the world’s … [Read more...] about Sergio Bernal on his new Dance Company “This is not just a show, it is the new Sergio”
Theatres to close in Italy from tomorrow
The Prime Minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte, has announced that from tomorrow until (at least) the 24 November all theatres and concert halls will close. This is due to the rapidly escalating numbers … [Read more...] about Theatres to close in Italy from tomorrow
English National Ballet receives €3m grant from Government’s Culture Recovery Fund
English National Ballet has been awarded a grant of £3 million through the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, announced today. Tamara Rojo, Artistic Director of English National Ballet said, I … [Read more...] about English National Ballet receives €3m grant from Government’s Culture Recovery Fund
With Milan under curfew, Jonas Kaufmann sings La Scala programme without pause
The curfew which was introduced in parts of Italy yesterday to combat the rising rate of coronavirus infections started at 11pm. While it is possible to return from a theatre after this time, it is … [Read more...] about With Milan under curfew, Jonas Kaufmann sings La Scala programme without pause
Bavarian State Ballet in quarantine and Swan Lake cancelled
Yesterday the Bayerische Staatsoper announced multiple members of the ballet company testing positive for the coronavirus. Their announcement said, Unfortunately, the performances of Swan Lake … [Read more...] about Bavarian State Ballet in quarantine and Swan Lake cancelled
Jonas Kaufmann steps in at La Scala as tenor Francesco Meli tests positive for coronavirus
Tenor Francesco Meli has tested positive for coronavirus, though he is asymptomatic. Tonight's last concert performance of Aida at La Scala should have seen Meli as Radamès, instead the role will … [Read more...] about Jonas Kaufmann steps in at La Scala as tenor Francesco Meli tests positive for coronavirus
[Review] In difficult times, the MilanOltre Contemporary Dance Festival completes a month of shows
It is a minor miracle that the MilanOltre contemporary dance festival managed to present its 34th edition this year. The organisers made many changes to the original programme – the company from China … [Read more...] about [Review] In difficult times, the MilanOltre Contemporary Dance Festival completes a month of shows
UK government’s £250 million for arts organisations
A £250 million ‘bailout’ fund will save “1,385 theatres, galleries, performance groups, arts organisations, museums and local venues facing the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and ensure they … [Read more...] about UK government’s £250 million for arts organisations
The Royal Ballet is Back on Stage – Friday 9 October
The Royal Ballet is Back on Stage, returning for a live-streamed performance from the stage of Covent Garden on Friday 9 October at 7.30pm. After an absence of seven … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet is Back on Stage – Friday 9 October
Anna Netrebko in hospital recovering from Covid-19
Anna Netrebko has been in hospital in Moscow recovering from pneumonia for the last five days. While she was in the hospital she was tested for the coronavirus and found to be positive. Now that … [Read more...] about Anna Netrebko in hospital recovering from Covid-19
La Scala announces its opening gala programme
La Scala has announced the programme, though not with full casting, of its Ballet Gala which marks the return of the company to the stage after the cancellation of the theatre's programming in March … [Read more...] about La Scala announces its opening gala programme
UK government to reopen theatres and stadiums with new world-beating scheme
UK government ministers are aiming to open theatres and sports stadiums by 1 November without social distancing. According to The Sunday Times, the prime minister and Oliver Dowden, the culture … [Read more...] about UK government to reopen theatres and stadiums with new world-beating scheme
La Scala would lose €50,000 a day if it reopened
La Scala would lose €50,000 a day if it reopened, complying with the social distancing guidelines imposed by the law passed on 17 May. The opera house’s new intendant, Dominique Meyer, will present … [Read more...] about La Scala would lose €50,000 a day if it reopened
Google Arts & Culture puts thousands of images and documents from La Scala’s archive online
Google Arts & Culture is a non-profit initiative with the tech giant working alongside cultural institutions and artists around the world to bring some of the world’s art and culture online so … [Read more...] about Google Arts & Culture puts thousands of images and documents from La Scala’s archive online
