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Darcey Bussell

Birmingham Royal Ballet announces launch of BRB2, its new touring company

23 January 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dancers of BRB2 with Carlos Acosta - Drew Tommons

BRB2 is a new initiative where Birmingham Royal Ballet seeks out some of the best young ballet graduates from around the world to join a two-year performance programme, providing employment for the … [Read more...] about Birmingham Royal Ballet announces launch of BRB2, its new touring company

[Review] Mayerling in London and Paris on 30th anniversary of MacMillan’s death

31 October 2022 by Jonathan Gray 5 Comments

Vadim Muntagirov and Fumi Kaneko in Mayerling, photo by Andrej Uspenski, ROH 2022

Guest author Jonathan Gray looks at Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling in London and Paris TitleMayerlingCompanyThe Royal Ballet / Paris Opéra BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, London / Palais Garnier, … [Read more...] about [Review] Mayerling in London and Paris on 30th anniversary of MacMillan’s death

How MacMillan shapes Rudolf’s women – The Royal Ballet in Mayerling

10 October 2022 by Matthew Paluch Leave a Comment

Natalia Osipova as Mary Vetsera and Ryoichi Hirano as Crown Prince Rudolf in Mayerling c 2018 ROH. Photograph by Helen Maybanks 2

Guest author Matthew Paluch watches The Royal Ballet in Mayerling and ponders on how the six main female characters shape Crown Prince Rudolf and his demise. People always complain that ballet … [Read more...] about How MacMillan shapes Rudolf’s women – The Royal Ballet in Mayerling

Anna Rose O’Sullivan answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

14 February 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Anna Rose O'Sullivan as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty - photo by Helen Maybanks ROH 2019-crop

When did you start dancing? I started dancing around the age of 4 and I instantly fell in love with ballet. As a young child I would put performances on for my family using the fireplace hearth as … [Read more...] about Anna Rose O’Sullivan answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star

26 January 2022 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Anna Rose O'Sullivan after her début as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, photo by Marcelino Sambé

It’s full steam ahead for The Royal Ballet’s Anna Rose O’Sullivan. Last year she was promoted to the rank of principal dancer with the company, in January of this year she made her debut as the Sugar … [Read more...] about Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star

The Royal Ballet to stream The Nutcracker Reworked on 22 December with Naghdi and Ball

10 December 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Yasmine Naghdi as The Sugar Plum Fairy and Matthew Ball as The Prince in The Nutcracker, The Royal Ballet © 2017 ROH, photo by Karolina Kuras

The #OurHouseToYourHouse tag continues to sizzle with the announcement that The Royal Ballet will stream its modified Nutcracker on 22 December 2020. The Nutcracker Reworked is a Covid-safe … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet to stream The Nutcracker Reworked on 22 December with Naghdi and Ball

The Royal Academy of Dance uncovers unseen footage of Margot Fonteyn

2 December 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dame Margot Fonteyn at the RAD

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) has revealed that it has discovered footage of its former President, Dame Margot Fonteyn, never seen before and which will be available to view as part of a … [Read more...] about The Royal Academy of Dance uncovers unseen footage of Margot Fonteyn

#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

Dancing Times, the world’s oldest dance magazine, celebrates 110 years

1 October 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dancing-Times-logo-1

1910 saw George V ascend to the throne, the trial and execution of Dr Crippen, the publication of E M Forster’s Howard’s End and the birth of Alice Marks, later Alicia Markova, the country’s first … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, the world’s oldest dance magazine, celebrates 110 years

Darcey Bussell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

23 May 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Darcey Bussell Dances Hollywood

Q&A When did you start dancing? At 5, in the Mercury Theatre behind where I lived in Notting Hill. Ballet Rambert used to use the studios as well. Why did you start dancing? I had knocked … [Read more...] about Darcey Bussell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Free reading from Dancing Times – the complete archive is available from 2000

1 April 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dancing Times

Dancing Times has opened up the last 20 years of its archives to all until 7 April. The monthly magazine has its think pieces, reviews, articles about technique, dance’s past and present, but I … [Read more...] about Free reading from Dancing Times – the complete archive is available from 2000

Review: Enthralling programme of 5 works by Hans van Manen and Roland Petit at La Scala

24 February 2020 by Gramilano 2 Comments

07 Le combat des anges Claudio Coviello, Marco Agostino, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala

An unusual mixed bill at La Scala showcased the works of two choreographers: Hans van Manen and Roland Petit. Two of the van Manen pieces were new to the company, though his Adagio Hammerklavier, … [Read more...] about Review: Enthralling programme of 5 works by Hans van Manen and Roland Petit at La Scala

Photos and full programme of Margot Fonteyn, A Celebration with The Royal Ballet

9 June 2019 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Darcey Bussell, Gary Avis in Fascade, photo Andrej Uspenski ROH

Last night, 8 June 2019, The Royal Ballet celebrated the centenary of the birth of its most famous ballerina, Dame Margot Fonteyn, who was born on 18 May 1919. A performance of The Firebird, … [Read more...] about Photos and full programme of Margot Fonteyn, A Celebration with The Royal Ballet

Interview: For The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi it’s “Ready, Steady, Go”!

25 November 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Yasmine Naghdi prepares for Gamzatti, photo by Dasa Wharton 15

Interview with Yasmine Naghdi as she dances in the world premiere of Alastair Marriott’s The Unknown Soldier - with photos by Dasa Wharton I last interviewed Yasmine Naghdi in September of 2015 when … [Read more...] about Interview: For The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi it’s “Ready, Steady, Go”!

Laurretta Summerscales answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

24 April 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Laurretta Summerscales as Olga in Onegin with Jonah Cook at Bayerisches Staatsballett, photo by Wilfried Hösl

Q&A When did you start dancing? I started dancing at the age of 3 at my mothers dancing school Why did you start dancing? My mother wanted to give me as many opportunities in life to see what … [Read more...] about Laurretta Summerscales answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Carlos Acosta at The Royal Ballet: celebrating 17 years

17 August 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Carlos Acosta at The Royal Ballet is a new book to celebrate Carlos Acosta’s 17 year career with The Royal Ballet from 1998 – 2015. The book, which captures some of his greatest performances as … [Read more...] about Carlos Acosta at The Royal Ballet: celebrating 17 years

50th Anniversary of MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet

30 July 2015 by Gramilano 3 Comments

The Royal Ballet 2015/16 Season opens this September with the return of Kenneth MacMillan’s landmark Romeo and Juliet, celebrating 50 years since its première at the Royal Opera House in 1965. It will … [Read more...] about 50th Anniversary of MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet

En Avant’s next ballet projects include a special encounter with Marcelo Gomes

13 March 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The En Avant Foundation will present specialised coaching master classes for advanced pre-professional and professional dancers in San Francisco and in New York in April 2015. The Foundation's … [Read more...] about En Avant’s next ballet projects include a special encounter with Marcelo Gomes

Julian Mackay on entering and winning the Prix de Lausanne 2015

17 February 2015 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Seventeen-year-old Julian Mackay is one of the six winners of this year’s Prix de Lausanne. He is part of the extraordinary Khan-MacKay family which boasts four ballet dancers; something this blog has … [Read more...] about Julian Mackay on entering and winning the Prix de Lausanne 2015

Darcey Bussell wants to get Britain dancing: You don’t need your leg around your ears

8 July 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Do dancers 'need' to dance? Well, most of them do, yes. It was needing to dance as a child that made them into a professional dancer, and the term can come to define who you are. If you no longer … [Read more...] about Darcey Bussell wants to get Britain dancing: You don’t need your leg around your ears

En Avant with quality, integrity, musicality and artistic meaning in classical ballet

30 January 2014 by Gramilano 4 Comments

En Avant is a "New Non-Profit Foundation for Specialised Ballet Coaching, Mentoring and the Awarding of Scholarships". The Foundation is new, but what is it offering that's new? After all the world is … [Read more...] about En Avant with quality, integrity, musicality and artistic meaning in classical ballet

Alessandra Ferri returns to dance the end of her marriage

2 June 2013 by Gramilano 16 Comments

At the end of June Alessandra Ferri will return to the stage after an absence of 7 years, and, at the age of 50, will restart her dancing career. At Spoleto, where she is the artistic director of … [Read more...] about Alessandra Ferri returns to dance the end of her marriage

Gary Avis answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

5 February 2013 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Q&A When did you start dan­cing? My first steps were taken in the summer of 1981, at the tender age of 11. My starting point was Disco Dancing lessons at Tom & Pat Lait's Ballroom classes, … [Read more...] about Gary Avis answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

As scandal photos are published of Alessandra Ferri’s photographer husband, she considers a return to dance

22 August 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

It has been five years since Alessandra Ferri left the stage, but she hasn't stopped dancing. Speaking to the Italian dance magazine Danza & Danza she said that every morning she still prepares … [Read more...] about As scandal photos are published of Alessandra Ferri’s photographer husband, she considers a return to dance

Darcey Bussell rises like a phoenix after depression down under

29 July 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Nobody could have failed to be moved by Darcey Bussell's farewell to the stage in 2007. It seemed more an outpouring of grief than a sad farewell. She told The Sunday Times, My God, I cracked. I just … [Read more...] about Darcey Bussell rises like a phoenix after depression down under

Darcey Bussell on Astaire, Fonteyn and Michael Jackson

22 December 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

On Christmas Day the BBC2 will transmit Darcey Bussell Dances Hollywood, a tribute to the great film musicals. Bussell talked to the Radio Times' Alexia Skinitis about the dancers who have inspired … [Read more...] about Darcey Bussell on Astaire, Fonteyn and Michael Jackson

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The Florence opera house to sell its vast archive to avoid closure

La Scala Ballet Season 2023-2024

La Scala Opera Season 2023-2024

Gustavo Dudamel to leave the Paris Opera at end of 22/23 season

Royal Opera House announces 2023-2024 opera and ballet Cinema Season

Royal Ballet’s three one-act ballets – Wayne McGregor (world premiere) | Wheeldon | MacMillan

The bizarre story of Italian opera house musical chairs – Meyer, Fuortes, Lissner

Blake Works V – La Scala presents a new work from William Forsythe – “You can get a lot done with calm.”

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s summer bill: Apollo – Interlinked – ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café

@giselle – a modern reimagining

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Vadim Muntagirov answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

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Top opera singers discuss how they choose and prepare new roles

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Dutch National Ballet’s Marijn Rademaker on injury and recovery

In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?

Luca Pisaroni as Leporello in Don Giovanni at Glyndebourne   photo by Bill Cooper

In conversation with Luca Pisaroni: back to Milan with his La Scala debut

Joyce DiDonato answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

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Renata Scotto vs Maria Callas – the 1970 fight at La Scala

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In conversation with Jakub Józef Orliński

Vittorio Grigolo’s new women’s shoes and a song for Hillary Clinton

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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