When did you start dancing?Aged 2, on our coffee table at home. Why did you start dancing?To satisfy my urge to move all the time. I really had “ants in my pants”! Which dancer inspired you most as a child?Sylvie Guillem, for her incredibly beautiful physique, amazing physical abilities and her strong personality. Which dancer do you most admire?Gene Kelly, for his … [Read more...] about Yasmine Naghdi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Gene Kelly
Jacquelyn Wagner answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
in italiano Q&A When did you start singing? I always sang as a kid – operatically, even though I had no idea what an opera was – and my parents encouraged me a lot. I started singing solos in church when I was 10, and really seriously studying when I was 14. Why did you start singing? I liked it! I could do it easily and well and really enjoyed it too. I … [Read more...] about Jacquelyn Wagner answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Darcey Bussell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
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 knees, so my mother sent me to ballet class every Saturday. She knew it would be good for straightening up my legs, improving my posture and burning a lot of energy. It did not come … [Read more...] about Darcey Bussell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
George Gagnidze answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? When I was 13 or 14 I started singing Georgian and Russian folk songs with my sister who was played the piano. Why did you start singing? My father used to sing in a folk chorus, but not as a professional singer, it was just a hobby for him. But in my father’s family singing was a tradition, and therefore in our family … [Read more...] about George Gagnidze answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Laurretta Summerscales answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
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 passions I grew for myself, and also what I was talented at. Dance was just one of many, but obviously it was also so we could have more time together. Which dancer inspired you … [Read more...] about Laurretta Summerscales answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Frederica von Stade answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? Maybe at 5. Why did you start singing? I always loved to sing anywhere, anytime. Which singer inspired you most when you were young? Gwen Verdon, Julie Andrews. Which singer do you most admire? It’s hard to choose... favourites are Janet Baker, Susan Graham, Richard Stilwell, Joyce DiDonato, Kiri Te Kanawa. What’s your … [Read more...] about Frederica von Stade answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Opera snobs won’t stop us going back to La Bohème
By Peter Franklin, University of Oxford The Royal Opera House’s restaging of La Bohème will get the same responses as any other production of the Puccini opera. The savvy enthusiast hedges cautiously, perhaps going with the sceptic’s play-it-safe response: “Well, it puts bums on seats, pays for the things we really want to see… in these difficult times, what with funding and … [Read more...] about Opera snobs won’t stop us going back to La Bohème
Fabrice Calmels answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started dancing very young, around 4, at the dance studio in Magnanville, France. Why did you start dancing? I used to wait for my sister while she was taking ballet classes. The teacher and owner of the school (Murielle Maurin) saw me, she pulled me into the class, and said, "We never had a boy, so you will be the first … [Read more...] about Fabrice Calmels answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Gene Kelly’s 100th Anniversary is today: born in Pittsburgh, August 23, 1912
Happy Anniversary to one of the best! … [Read more...] about Gene Kelly’s 100th Anniversary is today: born in Pittsburgh, August 23, 1912
Adam Cooper talks to the Sunday Times about ballet, Michael Jackson, Vaughan Williams and the Kirov
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 they lived in a 'poky' flat in Tooting. The flat was much too small for two energetic boys with a musician father who had instruments, keyboards and sheet music everywhere. Music was … [Read more...] about Adam Cooper talks to the Sunday Times about ballet, Michael Jackson, Vaughan Williams and the Kirov