Last night, 8 June 2019, The Royal Ballet celebrated the centenary of the birth of its most famous ballerina, Dame Margot Fonteyn, who was born on 18 May 1919.A performance of The Firebird, currently in a triple bill, was followed by a gala of extracts from ballets representing some of Fonteyn’s most celebrated roles.Another dame, Dame Darcey Bussell, also appeared on stage … [Read more...] about Photos and full programme of Margot Fonteyn, A Celebration with The Royal Ballet
Frederick Ashton
Photo Album: first look at The Royal Ballet’s new triple bill
The Firebird / A Month in the Country / Symphony in CThe curtain has just gone up on The Royal Ballet's latest triple bill and here are the first photos.The flash of a firebird, a family sent into a spin and a classical ballet explosion. Michel Fokine's The Firebird with Igor Stravinsky's music is a ground-breaking classic of the early 20th-century that draws on the story, … [Read more...] about Photo Album: first look at The Royal Ballet’s new triple bill
Karen Kain’s 50th Anniversary at National Ballet of Canada
2019/20 Season: Karen Kain’s 50th AnniversaryNew Swan Lake by Karen KainThree World Premieres and Three Company PremieresTour to Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.New Choreographic AssociateKaren Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, has announced that she will direct and stage a new Swan Lake for the 2019/20 season in celebration of her 50th … [Read more...] about Karen Kain’s 50th Anniversary at National Ballet of Canada
After 16 years, Thiago Soares leaves as Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet
Thiago Soares becomes Royal Ballet guest Principal for the 2019/20 SeasonAfter 16 years with The Royal Ballet, Thiago Soares has decided to make this Season his last as a Principal dancer with the Comapny in order to focus on new projects in dance and the performing arts. He will return as a guest Principal in the 2019/20 Season.Soares said,I’m so grateful to The Royal … [Read more...] about After 16 years, Thiago Soares leaves as Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet
Photo album: First photos of The Royal Ballet opening night of Asphodel Meadows and The Two Pigeons
Ballets by Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton and Royal Ballet Artist in Residence Liam Scarlett share the stage in this mixed programme with music by Messager and Poulenc.The Two Pigeons18 January—13 February 2019"Young love triumphs over misunderstandings and mistakes in Frederick Ashton's nostalgic and humorous ballet."PerformersA Young Girl - Lauren … [Read more...] about Photo album: First photos of The Royal Ballet opening night of Asphodel Meadows and The Two Pigeons
Interview: For The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi it’s “Ready, Steady, Go”!
Interview with Yasmine Naghdi as she dances in the world premiere of Alastair Marriott’s The Unknown Soldier - with photos by Dasa WhartonI last interviewed Yasmine Naghdi in September of 2015 when she and Matthew Ball were preparing to dance Romeo and Juliet together. They were dancing the roles for the first time — she was a Soloist and he a First Artist.Time passes … [Read more...] about Interview: For The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi it’s “Ready, Steady, Go”!
Photo Album: La Bayadère with The Royal Ballet – first night with Nuñez, Osipova and Muntagirov
Here are the first photos from the dress rehearsal of tonight's opening cast at The Royal Opera House of Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère.Solor is danced by Vadim Muntagirov, Gamzatti by Natalia Osipova, and Marianela Nuñez is Nikiya. This is also the cast that will be dancing when the ballet is transmitted live in cinemas on 13 November 2018.An iconic 19th-century Russian … [Read more...] about Photo Album: La Bayadère with The Royal Ballet – first night with Nuñez, Osipova and Muntagirov
Royal Swedish Opera auctions costumes to finance its activities for children
UPDATE 25 October 2018: The auction generated over €48,000 which will go to fund the opera house's activities for children and young people. "With this money, the Opera can offer performances for schools at a discounted prices," said Anna Karinsdotter, artistic director of the Young at the Opera programme.You might be just in time to pick up a prop or costume from The Royal … [Read more...] about Royal Swedish Opera auctions costumes to finance its activities for children
William Forsythe on working as a stripper – “It’s great money” – and working with dancers – “You revive their faith”
In an interview to coincide with William Forsythe’s A Quiet Evening of Dance at Sadler’s Wells, The Sunday Times’ David Jay spoke to the choreographer about a period as a young man when he worked as ‘a club dancer’. Forsythe was quick to correct:I worked as a stripper. Why not? It’s great money.Refreshingly forthright. It’s difficult to imagine Frederick Ashton saying such … [Read more...] about William Forsythe on working as a stripper – “It’s great money” – and working with dancers – “You revive their faith”
Dancing Times, August 2018 out now – including latest Danza in Italia column
The latest Dancing Times magazine is now on sale. The August 2018 issue contains my latest Danza in Italia column with thoughts on the new Le Corsaire by Anna-Marie Holmes at La Scala, with company dancers Nicoletta Manni, Timofej Andrijashenko, Martina Arduino and Mattia Semperboni. The theatre also dedicated a series of evenings to Rudolf Nureyev to mark the 80 years since he … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, August 2018 out now – including latest Danza in Italia column