Today is the 80th birthday of the Italian ballerina, Carla Fracci. She was born in Milan on 20 August 1936. To celebrate we asked fellow ballerinas, as well as actresses and designers she has worked with, for messages and best wishes on a very special day. with thanks to Merrill Ashley - Aurora Benelli - Rebecca Bianchi - Sabrina Brazzo - Rossella Brescia - Deborah Bull - … [Read more...] about To Carla Fracci, on your 80th Birthday, from your colleagues and friends
Genesia Rosato
Genesia Rosato and Gary Avis on her retirement from The Royal Ballet
After 40 years with the Royal Ballet, Genesia Rosato is to retire. I've had a wonderful career and loved every minute of it! she said this afternoon. She’s had a lot to love. Genesia joined the company in 1976, invited by Kenneth MacMillan, and became a soloist in 1982. She became a Principal Character Artist in 1993 and has dominated the stage ever since with her … [Read more...] about Genesia Rosato and Gary Avis on her retirement from The Royal Ballet
50th Anniversary of MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet
The Royal Ballet 2015/16 Season opens this September with the return of Kenneth MacMillan’s landmark Romeo and Juliet, celebrating 50 years since its première at the Royal Opera House in 1965. It will be relayed live to cinemas on Tuesday 22 September 2015. Originally created on Lynn Seymour and Christopher Gable, it was, of course, Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev who … [Read more...] about 50th Anniversary of MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet
Royal Ballet stalwart Derek Rencher dies at 82
Derek Rencher, one of the longest serving members of The Royal Ballet, has died at 82. Rencher was born in Birmingham on 6 June 1932. He joined the Sadler's Wells Ballet in 1953 and was promoted to soloist in 1957, the year after the company was granted its Royal Charter, becoming The Royal Ballet, and in 1969 he became a principal dancer. He created roles in Frederick … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet stalwart Derek Rencher dies at 82
La Scala’s Don Q disaster – all four guest dancers pull out
Could it be that Rudolph Nureyev's Carabosse is getting her revenge as his production of Sleeping Beauty is being dropped next season to be replaced by a version by Alexei Ratmansky? Whatever, there seems to be a curse on this Milanese Don Quixote! Svetlana Zakharova pulled out "due to personal reasons that prevent her leaving Moscow" (replaced by Tamara Rojo); … [Read more...] about La Scala’s Don Q disaster – all four guest dancers pull out