Graham Spicer sees Gala Fracci, La Scala’s annual festa to celebrate the great Italian ballerina Carla Fracci who died in 2021, now in its fourth edition. TitleGala FracciCompanyLa Scala … [Read more...] about Review: Gala Fracci 2025 – Marianela Nuñez and Reece Clarke join La Scala Ballet to celebrate Carla Fracci
Erik Bruhn
Remembering Carla Fracci, three years after her death
In 2021, I was asked to write Carla Fracci's obituary for Dancing Times magazine. The great Italian ballerina died three years ago today, on 27 May 2021. Below we reproduce that article. Carla … [Read more...] about Remembering Carla Fracci, three years after her death
The National Ballet of Canada: a farewell to Guillaume Côté, and a “hello London” with the National Ballet on tour
The National Ballet of Canada has unveiled its 2024-2025 season. Principal Dancer and Choreographic Associate Guillaume Côté will retire after 26 years with the National Ballet. Although my … [Read more...] about The National Ballet of Canada: a farewell to Guillaume Côté, and a “hello London” with the National Ballet on tour
Stuttgart Ballet’s Mackenzie Brown is promoted to Principal Dancer
After her debut as Juliet in John Cranko's Romeo and Juliet on 22 October 2023, Mackenzie Brown, Soloist with the Stuttgart Ballet, was promoted to Principal Dancer by Artistic Director Tamas … [Read more...] about Stuttgart Ballet’s Mackenzie Brown is promoted to Principal Dancer
Casting announced for American Ballet Theatre’s 2023 Fall Season
Casting for American Ballet Theatre’s 2023 Fall Season at the David H. Koch Theater from October 18–29 was announced today by Artistic Director Susan Jaffe. Ticket sales open on Wednesday 6 … [Read more...] about Casting announced for American Ballet Theatre’s 2023 Fall Season
Ballerinas Maria Tallchief and Carla Fracci honoured with a stamp and a coin
Almost contemporary announcements from both sides of the pond have arrived to honour two ballerinas. The Maria Tallchief Quarter will be issued next year in the United States and the Carla Fracci … [Read more...] about Ballerinas Maria Tallchief and Carla Fracci honoured with a stamp and a coin
The National Ballet of Canada 2022-2023 Season
Hope Muir, who became Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada at the beginning of this year, has announced the 2022-2023 season, her first full season with the company. Highlights … [Read more...] about The National Ballet of Canada 2022-2023 Season
Remembering Carla: ballet legend Carla Fracci dies at 84
This is the obituary I never wanted to write, and I certainly didn’t think I’d be writing it in 2021: Carla Fracci has died at 84, someone I imagined being exceptionally spritely well into her 90s. … [Read more...] about Remembering Carla: ballet legend Carla Fracci dies at 84
Online: Carla Fracci gives two Giselle masterclasses from La Scala
Carla Fracci is perhaps most famous for her performances as Giselle, so how right that she should return to the theatre where her career started to coach the young dancers who will be performing the … [Read more...] about Online: Carla Fracci gives two Giselle masterclasses from La Scala
Erik Bruhn and Carla Fracci – Romeo and Juliet, 1966
Erik Bruhn choreographed a version of Romeo and Juliet, which he and Carla Fracci danced with the Rome Opera Ballet in 1966. Between performances, they recorded the balcony scene, which today has … [Read more...] about Erik Bruhn and Carla Fracci – Romeo and Juliet, 1966
Rome Opera Ballet names its main dance studio after the late Elisabetta Terabust
The Intendant at Rome Opera, Carlo Fuortes, and the director of the opera house’s ballet company, Eleonora Abbagnato, together with theatre employees, today inaugurated the Sala Elisabetta Terabust, … [Read more...] about Rome Opera Ballet names its main dance studio after the late Elisabetta Terabust
Karen Kain’s 50th Anniversary at National Ballet of Canada
2019/20 Season: Karen Kain’s 50th Anniversary New Swan Lake by Karen Kain Three World Premieres and Three Company Premieres Tour to Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C. New Choreographic … [Read more...] about Karen Kain’s 50th Anniversary at National Ballet of Canada
Preview: Nureyev the film is a glorious celebration of an exceptional life
Nureyev is an important new documentary about Rudolf Nureyev’s extraordinary life which will be shown in cinemas around the UK from 25 September. BAFTA nominated directors Jacqui and David Morris … [Read more...] about Preview: Nureyev the film is a glorious celebration of an exceptional life
Italian ballerina Elisabetta Terabust has died in Rome at 71
The magnificent Italian ballerina Elisabetta Terabust died in Rome this morning, 5 February, at her home near the Campo de’ Fiori, after a long illness. She was just 71. She became a Principal Dancer … [Read more...] about Italian ballerina Elisabetta Terabust has died in Rome at 71
Bolshoi Ballet’s Vladislav Lantratov on the cancelling of Nureyev: There is nothing worse for an artist…
On 8 July, after the dress rehearsal of the Bolshoi Ballet’s ambitious new ballet on the life of Rudolf Nureyev, the premiere was cancelled. Vladislav Lantratov was to have played Nureyev and, stunned … [Read more...] about Bolshoi Ballet’s Vladislav Lantratov on the cancelling of Nureyev: There is nothing worse for an artist…
How to stage a ballet… Maina Gielgud explains
The indefatigable Maina Gielgud is a freelance stager, guest teacher and coach. In 1983, two years after leaving her successful and varied career as a dancer, she became Artistic Director of the … [Read more...] about How to stage a ballet… Maina Gielgud explains
Carla Fracci’s autobiography: Step After Step
Based on a long series of conversations with Enrico Rotelli, Passo dopo passo (Step After Step) is Carla Fracci telling her story in her own words. From a simple childhood during the war to the … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci’s autobiography: Step After Step
In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?
When Roberto Bolle popped out and in of the closet four years ago internet forums and gossip rags foamed at the mouth. Openly gay ballet dancers, like openly gay actors and singers, are few and far … [Read more...] about In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?
Claudio Coviello spreads his wings in Swan Lake with Natalia Osipova
In a brave casting move, Makhar Vaziev, director of La Scala's ballet company, has given new-boy Claudio Coviello the opening night of Swan Lake with Natalia Osipova. 21-year-old Claudio … [Read more...] about Claudio Coviello spreads his wings in Swan Lake with Natalia Osipova
Maina Gielgud answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I took my first ballet classes when I was about 6 years old. It was in Brussels, and with a Russian teacher married to a Belgian. Her name was Mme de Zeum. After … [Read more...] about Maina Gielgud answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Beppe Menegatti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Directors’ Edition
Q&A When did you first go to the theatre? To see Rigoletto at the Teatro Comunale in Florence on 10 October 1939 for my tenth birthday, with Gino Bechi, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Lina Aimaro and … [Read more...] about Beppe Menegatti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Directors’ Edition
Evan McKie answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? In the womb. Why did you start dancing? I will probably never know the answer to that. I just know why I keep doing it. Which dancer inspired you most as a … [Read more...] about Evan McKie answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Vito Mazzeo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? At 9 years old. Why did you start dancing? I saw Carla Fracci dancing. Which dancer inspired you most as a child? Carla Fracci and Erik Bruhn for their … [Read more...] about Vito Mazzeo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Paul Chalmer answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? Age 6, then National Ballet School, Toronto, age 9. Why did you start dancing? Saw ballet on TV. Which dancer inspired you most as a … [Read more...] about Paul Chalmer answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Six dancing legs came onto the world stage 75 years ago, today
Today is the birthday of three European dancing ladies: Germany's Kessler twins, Alice and Ellen, and Italy's Carla Fracci. They weren't only born on the same day, August 20, but in the same year, … [Read more...] about Six dancing legs came onto the world stage 75 years ago, today
Nobody does it better: Carla Fracci is Giselle
A photo by Erio Piccagliani of Carla Fracci and Erik Bruhn in Giselle on September 4, 1965, from the Teatro alla Scala collection. Simply beautiful... … [Read more...] about Nobody does it better: Carla Fracci is Giselle
The Stuttgart Ballet is full of Canadians – here’s what the dancers have to say
The Stuttgart Ballet is 50 years old this year. Celebrating will be its Canadian artistic director Reid Anderson, together with six Canadian dancers in the company. A constant theme is Anderson's … [Read more...] about The Stuttgart Ballet is full of Canadians – here’s what the dancers have to say