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 dancers some of the most famous of all. Even leaving the men aside, we have Pierina Legnani (noted as ‘maybe’ being the first to […]
Francesco Ventriglia
Jas Art Ballet Company’s Opera Danza Festival in Milan
The Jas Art Ballet Company was formed in 2013 by the husband and wife team Sabrina Brazzo and Andrea Volpintesta, both formerly with the ballet company at La Scala (she a principal dancer). In six years, its reach has grown, and it now has a junior wing of promising young dancers from ages 16 to […]
Interviews with Julio Bocca, Igor Yebra, Francesco Ventriglia — changes at Uruguay’s Ballet Nacional Sodre
After more than seven years as director of Ballet Nacional Sodre (BNS), Uruguay’s ballet company, Julio Bocca has decided to leave and move on. During his time in Montevideo he has raised the company’s national and international profiles, increased its repertoire and number of performances, and generally turned the company around. When I asked, four […]
Francesco Ventriglia to leave Royal New Zealand Ballet
in italiano Francesco Ventriglia, Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, has decided to step down in 2017 after almost three years with the company. He took up his appointment as the company’s 11th Artistic Director in November 2014. His contract will end in mid-June, though he will remain with the company as Guest Choreographer […]
Royal Ballet Season 2015 – 2016 with 4 World Premières
Four World Premières feature in the line-up for the Royal Ballet’s 2015 – 2016 Season and, for the first time, all three of The Royal Ballet’s associated choreographers present new works for the main stage. Liam Scarlett will choreograph his first full-length ballet for Covent Garden’s main stage based on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Wayne McGregor and Christopher Wheeldon will create […]
Sylvie Guillem’s ballet cancelled and a dancer finishes in hospital: backstage drama
Monday night’s opening of a quadruple bill at Florence’s Teatro Comunale was cancelled at the last moment, though a warning had been issued previously. A protest in Rome, against the cuts in the arts, organised by trade unions, was set for 10 June, a Monday, when usually Italian theatres are closed. However, as MaggioDanza had […]
Culture crash: MaggioDanza ballet company axed in Florence
Addio to MaggioDanza, the ballet company formed in 1967 under the auspices of the Florence’s Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. A financial crisis has resulted in the decision to axe the ballet company, and cut the number of technical and administrative staff, taking the number of wage packets from 346 to 273. Chorus and orchestra are saved however, with the chorus losing two […]
