It is a minor miracle that the MilanOltre contemporary dance festival managed to present its 34th edition this year. The organisers made many changes to the original programme – the company from China were not present, for example – but some excellent shows were on offer. Milan’s Teatro Elfo Puccini could only sell 40% of its capacity and, of course, the anti-covid … [Read more...] about [Review] In difficult times, the MilanOltre Contemporary Dance Festival completes a month of shows
Excelsior
Two beautiful volumes from Amici della Scala: 80 years of costumes at La Scala and the designer Coltellacci
Vittoria Crespi Morbio, the writer of an exceptional collection of books produced by the Amici della Scala, has written monographs on important artists who have collaborated with Teatro alla Scala – some celebrated, some largely forgotten. These little gems are precious in the content but lacking in their scale. However, luckily, the Friends of La Scala sometimes bring out … [Read more...] about Two beautiful volumes from Amici della Scala: 80 years of costumes at La Scala and the designer Coltellacci
Excelsior in Milan is more than just a big, brash ballet extravaganza
Excelsior has returned to the stage at La Scala and what better choice for the Milan Expo period than this joyous ballet, which fills the stage with more than a hundred dancers waving national flags from all corners of the globe. It is a ‘concept’ ballet - light triumphs over darkness - and it features dancers representing Peace, Invention, Perseverance, Courage, Concord and … [Read more...] about Excelsior in Milan is more than just a big, brash ballet extravaganza
Pereira announces that Carla Fracci will return to the stage of La Scala
La Scala's new sovrintendente, Alexander Pereira, has announced that Carla Fracci, the Italian ballerina par excellence, will return to the Milanese theatre that witnessed many of her triumphs during her long career. Sig.ra Fracci could give a masterclass in the theatre as Bergonzi did for the singers; his lessons were priceless. We are also thinking of her return to our stage … [Read more...] about Pereira announces that Carla Fracci will return to the stage of La Scala
Liliana Cosi: an Italian ballerina
Italian ballerina Liliana Cosi, born in Milan in 1941, had a glorious career but was overshadowed by the great Carla Fracci, rather like Margot Fonteyn's fame almost obliterated many of the outstanding talents of her generation. After completing her studies at the ballet school at La Scala, she went to the Bolshoi for three years from 1963 where she studied with Messerer and … [Read more...] about Liliana Cosi: an Italian ballerina