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[Review] Luciana Savignano in Tango di Luna: “She came to me in sections”

13 November 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Tango di Luna, Luciana Savignano with Matteo Bittante, photo by Sara Meliti-02

TitleTango di LunaCompanyDANCEHAUSpiùVenueTeatro Franco Parenti, MilanDate29 October 2022ReviewerGraham Spicer Luciana Savignano would probably loath to read a review that begins by stating her … [Read more...] about [Review] Luciana Savignano in Tango di Luna: “She came to me in sections”

[Interview] Baryshnikov on the Venice Biennale, death and laying himself bare

29 June 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Mikhail Baryshnikov in Not Once crop

Mikhail Baryshnikov will open this year’s Biennale di Venezia – virtually – in the world premiere of Not Once, an ‘art installation with film’ by Jan Fabre, the Belgian multidisciplinary artist: … [Read more...] about [Interview] Baryshnikov on the Venice Biennale, death and laying himself bare

Dancing Times, the world’s oldest dance magazine, celebrates 110 years

1 October 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dancing-Times-logo-1

1910 saw George V ascend to the throne, the trial and execution of Dr Crippen, the publication of E M Forster’s Howard’s End and the birth of Alice Marks, later Alicia Markova, the country’s first … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, the world’s oldest dance magazine, celebrates 110 years

Darcey Bussell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

23 May 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Darcey Bussell Dances Hollywood

Q&A When did you start dancing? At 5, in the Mercury Theatre behind where I lived in Notting Hill. Ballet Rambert used to use the studios as well. Why did you start dancing? I had knocked … [Read more...] about Darcey Bussell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Ottavio Dantone answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Conductors’ Edition

15 May 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Ottavio Dantone © Giulia Papetti

Q&A When did you start playing an instrument? When I was 4 years old, on a toy keyboard. Why did you start playing? I don’t know; I learned music by myself. Which musicians inspired you most … [Read more...] about Ottavio Dantone answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Conductors’ Edition

Laurretta Summerscales answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

24 April 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Laurretta Summerscales as Olga in Onegin with Jonah Cook at Bayerisches Staatsballett, photo by Wilfried Hösl

Q&A When did you start dancing? I started dancing at the age of 3 at my mothers dancing school Why did you start dancing? My mother wanted to give me as many opportunities in life to see what … [Read more...] about Laurretta Summerscales answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Gregory Reinhart answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

19 August 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Don Quixote, photo by Heloisa Bortz ©2016

Q&A When did you start singing? As a child in Upstate New York, every Sunday I was taken to Mass. I loved hearing the songs in Latin, and hearing the choir. I wanted so badly to sing along, … [Read more...] about Gregory Reinhart answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

David Aladashvili answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Musicians’ Edition

23 February 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

'Rehearsinig Beethoven'

Q&A When did you start playing the piano? Well, I should have started earlier. Why did you start playing? Ballet didn’t work out :) Which pianist inspired you most when you were … [Read more...] about David Aladashvili answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Musicians’ Edition

Derek Deane answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dance Edition

2 July 2016 by Gramilano 8 Comments

Derek Deane

Q&A When did you start dancing? I was nearly 16. Late... I never had any intention of becoming a ballet dancer. Why did you start dancing? So that I could play the Artful Dodger in a local … [Read more...] about Derek Deane answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dance Edition

Mikhail Baryshnikov: Time is cruel

14 August 2015 by Gramilano 1 Comment

After the success of Letter to a Man at the Spoleto Festival in July, Mikhail Baryshnikov will resume his role as Nijinsky on 11 September for a two-week run in Milan. Once again, he is … [Read more...] about Mikhail Baryshnikov: Time is cruel

Jennifer Larmore answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

23 April 2015 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Q&A When did you start singing? I always sang. My mother told me that I sang even before I talked. I also cannot remember a time when I didn’t sing. Why did you start singing? It has been … [Read more...] about Jennifer Larmore answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Frank Lopardo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

13 April 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

When did you start singing? I have been singing singing since I was small boy. However, my first official voice lesson was in September of 1977. The teacher's name is Dr Robert White Jr. I have … [Read more...] about Frank Lopardo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Franco Fagioli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

23 October 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

franco fagioli © thibault stipal, 2014

Q&A When did you start singing? I don't remember exactly when… Why did you start singing? Because it felt good. Which singers inspired you most when you were young? ABBA. Which singer do you … [Read more...] about Franco Fagioli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Mini-interview with David Hallberg

20 May 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Before David Hallberg's début in Rudolf Nureyev's Swan Lake at La Scala he went into "hibernation", something he says he does before all performances, especially opening nights. I stay still to not … [Read more...] about Mini-interview with David Hallberg

Adam Bull answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

23 April 2014 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Q&A When did you start dancing? At 8 years old. Why did you start dancing? I was encouraged to dance by my Grade 1 primary school teacher. She saw something within me which I didn't even … [Read more...] about Adam Bull answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Thomas Allen answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

7 October 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Q&A When did you start singing? Singing began for me in junior school, church choir and continued through grammar school; first as treble until I was 12 when my voice broke to what it is … [Read more...] about Thomas Allen answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Unseen photos: Carla Fracci with her younger sister, Marisa

5 October 2013 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Those who don't live in Italy probably don't know that ballerina Carla Fracci has a younger sister, Marisa, who was also a dancer. No Giselles for Marisa however, as she was a show dancer … [Read more...] about Unseen photos: Carla Fracci with her younger sister, Marisa

David Hallberg returns to the Bolshoi: this attack won’t derail my career

2 July 2013 by Gramilano 3 Comments

In ten days' time David Hallberg returns to the Bolshoi to dance Onegin with Svetlana Zakharova. He talked to PBS News Hour about dance, and his first appearance with the company after the various … [Read more...] about David Hallberg returns to the Bolshoi: this attack won’t derail my career

Mark S Doss answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

21 March 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Q&A When did you start singing?  I was in the 5th grade when the music teacher, Mrs Mapson, asked me to sing the Wells Fargo Wagon song from Music Man. She heard me sing it back to her and then … [Read more...] about Mark S Doss answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Igor Yebra answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

17 October 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Q&A When did you start dancing? When I was 13 years old. Why did you start dancing? Because I liked it and in my house it was something normal to see ballet; although first I wanted to be a … [Read more...] about Igor Yebra answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Adam Cooper talks to the Sunday Times about ballet, Michael Jackson, Vaughan Williams and the Kirov

22 April 2012 by Gramilano 5 Comments

In today's Sunday Times, Adam Cooper - ex-Royal Ballet dancer, and currently tip-tapping in the West End - talked about the places where he and his elder brother, Simon, grew up. Until their teens … [Read more...] about Adam Cooper talks to the Sunday Times about ballet, Michael Jackson, Vaughan Williams and the Kirov

Darcey Bussell on Astaire, Fonteyn and Michael Jackson

22 December 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

On Christmas Day the BBC2 will transmit Darcey Bussell Dances Hollywood, a tribute to the great film musicals. Bussell talked to the Radio Times' Alexia Skinitis about the dancers who have inspired … [Read more...] about Darcey Bussell on Astaire, Fonteyn and Michael Jackson

Q&As with David Hallberg: “I first became obsessed with Fred Astaire, and then started tap lessons”

17 November 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

David Hallberg's family come from Fort Wayne, and in anticipation of Sunday's relay of the Bolshoi's The Sleeping Beauty, which marks his début with the company, he answered questions from the town's … [Read more...] about Q&As with David Hallberg: “I first became obsessed with Fred Astaire, and then started tap lessons”

Leslie Caron’s six best musical stars: from Streisand and Garland to Astaire and Travolta

22 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Leslie Caron is in London as An American in Paris is about to be in the cinemas once again. She talked to The Times: When I first arrived in Hollywood I had never seen a musical. I was only 18. … [Read more...] about Leslie Caron’s six best musical stars: from Streisand and Garland to Astaire and Travolta

With “What Matters Most” will Barbra Streisand make history with a #1 album in six different decades?

28 June 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Barbra Streisand's last album, “Love Is the Answer”, was her ninth #1 hit, making her the only artist to have a number 1 album in five different decades. With her latest album, “What Matters Most – … [Read more...] about With “What Matters Most” will Barbra Streisand make history with a #1 album in six different decades?

Matthew Bourne: “a lot of young people think that it’s odd to have women as swans”

25 June 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake will be shown on television 3-D. Ahead of its showing The Times talked to the choreographer. Here are some of the questions he was asked: Where would you be without Swan … [Read more...] about Matthew Bourne: “a lot of young people think that it’s odd to have women as swans”

Jacques d’Amboise to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the Astaires

10 May 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Bebe Neuwirth and Lee Roy Reams will host the 2011 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, honoring excellence in dance on Broadway and in film, which will be presented May 15 at the Skirball Center for the … [Read more...] about Jacques d’Amboise to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the Astaires

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NEWS

New York City Ballet 2023 Spring Season is announced

Principal Brandon Lawrence to leave Birmingham Royal Ballet to join Ballett Zürich

Two new opera recordings to be released by Warner Classics/Erato

Four new Principal dancers for New York City Ballet

LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live

Royal Ballet principal dancer Laura Morera to retire

Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Principal dancer Jared Angle to give final performance with NYCB

The Australian Ballet will tour to the Royal Opera House in August 2023

FEATURED POSTS

Francesco Gabriele Frola. Photo By Karolina Kuras, 2016 01

Meet Francesco Gabriele Frola — National Ballet of Canada and English National Ballet’s new Principal Dancer

You choose it out of Love! Dancing with the Khan-MacKay family

Luca Pisaroni as Leporello in Don Giovanni at Glyndebourne   photo by Bill Cooper

In conversation with Luca Pisaroni: back to Milan with his La Scala debut

Jakub Józef Orliński

In conversation with Jakub Józef Orliński

Vadim Muntagirov answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Renata Scotto with Maria Callas

Renata Scotto vs Maria Callas – the 1970 fight at La Scala

Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov in cover art for the Romanza album

Interview with Anna Netrebko on her son, his autism and his abandonment by his father Erwin Schrott

English National Ballet in Derek Deane's Swan Lake, photo by ASH, Arnaud Stephenson, 2013

Derek Deane on 20 years of his Swan Lake ‘in the round’

Dance injuries from the ballet dancer’s point of view: top stars share their experiences

Coppélia with Vadim Muntagirov and Marianela Nunez, photo by Bill Cooper ROH

Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique

GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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