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Erik Bruhn

Casting announced for American Ballet Theatre’s 2023 Fall Season

28 August 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

On the Dnieper - B+

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

29 November 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Carla Fracci and Maria Tallchief

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

3 May 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Wei Wang, Maria Kochetkova and Henry Sidford in Anima Animus. Photo by Erik Tomasson, courtesy of San Francisco Ballet

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

27 May 2021 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Carla Fracci 1964 Giselle photo Erio Piccagliani crop

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

26 January 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Carla Fracci 1964 Giselle photo Erio Piccagliani crop

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

26 March 2020 by Gramilano 3 Comments

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

14 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Eleonora Abbagnato and members of the company in the new Elisabetta Terabust Dancing Studio © Yasuko Kageyama

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

12 February 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Hannah Fischer in Swan Lake. Photo by Karolina Kuras.

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

12 September 2018 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Nureyev the film 7

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

5 February 2018 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Elisabetta Terabust

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 … [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…

24 July 2017 by Gramilano 1 Comment

HELLO  Russia

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

17 May 2015 by Gramilano 4 Comments

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

22 April 2014 by Gramilano 5 Comments

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?

7 July 2013 by Gramilano 21 Comments

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

29 June 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

7 June 2013 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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 … [Read more...] about Maina Gielgud answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Beppe Menegatti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Directors’ Edition

3 February 2013 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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

6 December 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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 … [Read more...] about Evan McKie answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Vito Mazzeo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

15 January 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

27 December 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

20 August 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

20 March 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

24 February 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

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GRAMILANO

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan, aka ‘Gramilano’. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. He wrote the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

Since 2022, Gramilano is pleased to welcome guest authors: Alisa Alekseeva, Paul Arrowsmith, Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel, Jonathan Gray, Marina Harss, Matthew Paluch, Jann Parry, Graham Watts, and Deborah Weiss.

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