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 Garritano, who writes under the name of Garret, wrote a book where she reflected on the nature of stringent diets and the search for the perfect physical form. La verità, vi prego, sulla … [Read more...] about La Scala’s fired ballerina, and eating-disorder author, Mary Garret on her first year back with the company
Eleonora Abbagnato
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 show Amici) has brought several works to the Italian capital that she has danced in the French capital. So it was with Jerome Robbins’ The Concert.THE CONCERT The piece saw … [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 Manager, Carlo Fuortes, and the head of the ballet company, Eleonora Abbagnato.It was something I wasn’t expecting and it was very emotional... a truly wonderful surprise for me and a … [Read more...] about Introducing Rebecca Bianchi, Rome Opera Ballet’s new Principal ballerina
Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italianoWhen 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 that were securely locked away in my heart. Dreams that were not just centred on singing, obviously, and now, at 37, I can say that I’ve fulfilled many of those dreams, even … [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 in dance.Eleonora Abbagnato was speaking at a press conference in Rome, her first appearance after her nomination as the Rome Opera Ballet’s new director. A previous director of … [Read more...] about Eleonora Abbagnato on being both an Étoile in Paris and a company director in Rome