There are many, many Italian dancers scattered around companies throughout the world. Some are in the corps de ballet, others are principal dancers, but all continue the tradition that made Italian … [Read more...] about Dance in Italy – Spoleto Festival’s Dance Gala with Abbagnato, Vogel, Frola, Dato and many more on 30 June
Eleonora Abbagnato
Rome Opera Ballet announces 2019-2020 season
Five different programmes make up Rome Opera Ballet’s new season, 2019-2020. Benjamin Pech’s successful Swan Lake will be remounted to open the season. This will be followed by an evening dedicated … [Read more...] about Rome Opera Ballet announces 2019-2020 season
Rome Opera Ballet’s Philip Glass triple bill thrills
The Philip Glass triple bill at Rome Opera Ballet showed off three very different choreographic styles to one composer’s music. Glass has a way of seducing the listener into his world —his music is … [Read more...] about Rome Opera Ballet’s Philip Glass triple bill thrills
Rome Opera Ballet presents a Philip Glass Evening featuring a new work with Eleonora Abbagnato and Friedemann Vogel
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 … [Read more...] about Rome Opera Ballet presents a Philip Glass Evening featuring a new work with Eleonora Abbagnato and Friedemann Vogel
Isaac Hernández answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A for Isaac Hernández When did you start dancing? I was 8 years old. My father was teaching me in the backyard of our house. Why did you start dancing? We are a big family — 11 children — my … [Read more...] about Isaac Hernández answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Eleonora Abbagnato is confirmed as Director of the Rome Opera Ballet until 2021
Rome Opera has announced that Eleonora Abbagnato, étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet and current Director of the Rome Opera Ballet, will remain in her post until 31 December 2021. Virginia Raggi, the … [Read more...] about Eleonora Abbagnato is confirmed as Director of the Rome Opera Ballet until 2021
The Sleeping Beauty with Marianela Nuñez and Vladislav Lantratov at the Rome Opera Ballet
Jean-Guillaume Bart, former Étoile at the Paris Opera Ballet, created his version of The Sleeping Beauty for the Yacobson Ballet Theatre in St Petersburg in 2016. His POB colleague Eleonora Abbagnato … [Read more...] about The Sleeping Beauty with Marianela Nuñez and Vladislav Lantratov at the Rome Opera Ballet
La Scala’s fired ballerina, and eating-disorder author, Mary Garret on her first year back with the company
In 2016, Mary Garret walked through the artists’ entrance at La Scala, ready to take daily class again with the company that had fired her four years previously. The ballerina Mariafrancesca … [Read more...] about La Scala’s fired ballerina, and eating-disorder author, Mary Garret on her first year back with the company
Robbins-Preljocaj-Ekman with Eleonora Abbagnato and the Rome Opera Ballet
Eleonora Abbagnato, who became director of the Rome Opera Ballet two years ago (while retaining her position as Étoile at the Paris Opera Ballet, and commitments such as a panel judge for the reality … [Read more...] about Robbins-Preljocaj-Ekman with Eleonora Abbagnato and the Rome Opera Ballet
Introducing Rebecca Bianchi, Rome Opera Ballet’s new Principal ballerina
At the end of The Nutcracker at Rome’s Teatro Nazionale on 20 December last year, 25-year-old Rebecca Bianchi was promoted to Principal Dancer of the Rome Opera Ballet by the theatre’s General … [Read more...] about Introducing Rebecca Bianchi, Rome Opera Ballet’s new Principal ballerina
Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? I started singing when I was very young, but seriously in 1996, together with literature and music. I was a 17-year-old full of hopes and dreams … [Read more...] about Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Eleonora Abbagnato on being both an Étoile in Paris and a company director in Rome
I'm happy that the Mayor of Rome, Ignazio Marino, and Sovrintendente Fuortes, have had faith in my passion. My heart has always remained in Italy and this theatre needs people who believe passionately … [Read more...] about Eleonora Abbagnato on being both an Étoile in Paris and a company director in Rome
Rome Opera House lines up its new creative team
The Sovrintendente of the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Carlo Fuortes, has announced the nomination of the composers Giorgio Battistelli and Alessio Vlad as the theatre's artistic directors and has … [Read more...] about Rome Opera House lines up its new creative team
Eleonora Abbagnato becomes director of the Rome Opera Ballet
Eleonora Abbagnato is to become the new director of the Rome Opera Ballet. The official announcement from the Rome Opera's sovrintendente is expected in the next few days. It is known that Rome's … [Read more...] about Eleonora Abbagnato becomes director of the Rome Opera Ballet
Paris Étoile Abbagnato welcomes Millepied and is glad to see Lefèvre go
He impressed us with his simple yet incisive approach during the rehearsals. He is a man who has a life outside dance; this is his true strength. Paris Opera Ballet Étoile Eleonora Abbagnato was … [Read more...] about Paris Étoile Abbagnato welcomes Millepied and is glad to see Lefèvre go
From Lombardy to London: Interview with the Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti
Italian dancer Valentino Zucchetti is one of a large number of Italian dancers who go abroad to find work and realise their dreams. Italy has few ballet companies, and La Scala is the only one with … [Read more...] about From Lombardy to London: Interview with the Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti
The music of Italy’s n°1 rocker returns to La Scala
Vasco Rossi is one of the most famous Italian rockers. The singer-songwriter has hit sixty, but continues to sell out stadiums. His most famous song, Vita spericolata (Daredevil Life) sums up his own … [Read more...] about The music of Italy’s n°1 rocker returns to La Scala
Étoile Eleonora Abbagnato and footballer hubby Federico Balzaretti: It’s complicated!
The new Paris Opera Ballet étoile, Eleonora Abbagnato, is back in Italy for the first of six episodes of a television talent show, Amici, where she will captain a team of young singers and … [Read more...] about Étoile Eleonora Abbagnato and footballer hubby Federico Balzaretti: It’s complicated!
Eleonora Abbagnato talks about becoming Paris’ new étoile
This week, Eleonora Abbagnato became the first Italian étoile at the Paris Opera Ballet for generations. The only other was Carlotta Zambelli who became one of the company's stars at the end of the … [Read more...] about Eleonora Abbagnato talks about becoming Paris’ new étoile
Eleonora Abbagnato is named “étoile” of the Paris Opera Ballet
Eleonora Abbagnato has been named "étoile" of the Paris Opera Ballet. Finally, one might add, and indeed the former director of the dance school of the Paris Opera, Claude Bessy, said just that. She … [Read more...] about Eleonora Abbagnato is named “étoile” of the Paris Opera Ballet
Who’s afraid of Brigitte Lefèvre? Well Eleonora Abbagnato for one! Drama at the Paris Opera Ballet
Brigitte Lefèvre, Director of Ballet at the Paris Opera since 1995, will turn 68 later this year. The Paris Opera Ballet obliges ballerinas to leave at 42 with their pension; like it or not, ètoile or … [Read more...] about Who’s afraid of Brigitte Lefèvre? Well Eleonora Abbagnato for one! Drama at the Paris Opera Ballet
The dance drain: who will save ballet in Italy?
Italians are great dancers, but they don't get much opportunity to demonstrate that in their homeland. The history of ballet is adorned with Italian talent: Giuseppina Bozzacchi was the … [Read more...] about The dance drain: who will save ballet in Italy?
Sacked Italian ballerina is just an attention seeker, or a victim?
Mariafrancesca Garritano (aka Mary Garret) who denounced anorexia in the La Scala school and company, and was sacked by the Milanese theatre two days ago, hasn't been backed up by all her … [Read more...] about Sacked Italian ballerina is just an attention seeker, or a victim?
Première Danseuse Eleonora Abbagnato gets hitched
As is the tradition in Italy, beautiful girls - especially "showgirls" - wed footballers. On June 13 Eleonora Abbagnato, Première Danseuse with the Paris Opera Ballet, got married to Palermo … [Read more...] about Première Danseuse Eleonora Abbagnato gets hitched