In an interview, before several appearances in the Italian peninsula over the next two months, Sergei Polunin said, I deeply believe in love. It’s a universal feeling; everyone wants to love and be loved. Today, I see a separation between men and women with too much aggressivity and competition between the sexes. For me, if I don’t have love in my life, I’m unable to do … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up
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Rights group asks for Polunin ballet in Verona’s Arena to be cancelled
A full-page article in today’s Corriere della Sera, a major Italian newspaper, has the headline: Polunin, the bad boy of dance “is homophobic”. After recent Instagram postings which were widely discussed, Sergei Polunin found sponsors disappearing and an engagement at the Paris Opera Ballet cancelled. The most commentated post was the one where he urged male ballet dancers to … [Read more...] about Rights group asks for Polunin ballet in Verona’s Arena to be cancelled
Photo Album: In the Upper Room and Embrace with Birmingham Royal Ballet
In the Upper Room and Embrace were part of a triple-bill programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet called Polarity & Proximity. Embrace, a new ballet commissioned from choreographer George Williamson as part of Ballet Now, Birmingham Royal Ballet's five-year programme, run in conjunction with Sadler's Wells, to develop choreographers, composers and designers to create … [Read more...] about Photo Album: In the Upper Room and Embrace with Birmingham Royal Ballet
Priscilla the musical in Milan reveals the heart beneath the glitter
After having seen the musical Priscilla, I’ve decided to come out: I’m a Sondheim fan. Yes, Into the Woods, Sweeney, the lot… even Merrily We Roll Along and The Frogs. Every cd, the live recordings, the scores. Now I’ve got that off my chest, I can say how thoroughly enjoyable I find Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. No, it’s not Sondheim, Shakespeare, or even Stephen Schwartz, … [Read more...] about Priscilla the musical in Milan reveals the heart beneath the glitter
Vittorio Grigolo jokes “I’m a sex addict”
In an interview with Italy’s Vanity Fair, the always outspoken tenor, Vittorio Grigolo, responded to journalist Sara Faillaci’s question, “Is sex important for you?” with, My name is Vittorio. I’m a sex addict. Though he was fooling, he has something of a reputation as a Latin lover or, as Faillaci writes, a “tombeur de femmes”. This was an interview where music and singing … [Read more...] about Vittorio Grigolo jokes “I’m a sex addict”
The Tricks of the Trocks: powder, ice and pointe shoes
The audiences laugh, sometimes the dancers laugh, but getting a dozen or so male dancers on pointe through more than one hundred performances a year is no laughing matter. Being a Trock is a serious business. I talked to three of the Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo company - Alberto Pretto from Italy, Chase Johnsey from America and Carlos Renedo from Spain - about the … [Read more...] about The Tricks of the Trocks: powder, ice and pointe shoes
The Tricks of the Trocks: questions and answers with Chase Johnsey
Can you give a quick background leading up to how and why you finished up as a Trock? I had a unique experience leading up to joining Ballets Trockadero. My first year at Harrison School of the Arts, in Lakeland, Florida, my ballet teacher was holding auditions for a ballet piece, which would be danced on pointe. I was waiting in the hallway for these auditions to be over, and … [Read more...] about The Tricks of the Trocks: questions and answers with Chase Johnsey
Sergei Polunin’s Take me to Church: pirouettes or politics?
In the week since David LaChapelle’s video with Sergei Polunin went online it has gone viral, even sending this blog offline a couple of times due to the surge in people searching for information about the Ukrainian ballet star. As I write the YouTube views are edging toward five million; just yesterday one million new views were registered. Of course, this huge interest … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin’s Take me to Church: pirouettes or politics?
Joyce DiDonato sings Purcell at Stonewall
Joyce DiDonato has paid tribute to victims of intolerance and injustice in an NPR Music “Field Recording” video, released today at npr.org. In the video, DiDonato performs Purcell’s When I Am Laid In Earth at the Greenwich Village gay bar The Stonewall Inn. Stonewall became a household name after the police raided it on 28 June 1969 sparking a riot … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato sings Purcell at Stonewall
Joyce DiDonato dedicates Last Night of the Proms performance to Russian gays
Joyce DiDonato has always been fearlessly honest, or at least, has the courage to be honest, though it may cost her a great deal emotionally to get over her fear. I don't know, but I do know that her bravery has helped, and is helping, many young people. Recently she talked to The Telegraph's Rupert Christiansen about her work with young singers, I advise them not to attempt … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato dedicates Last Night of the Proms performance to Russian gays