I’ve always been interested in how some theatrical works survive the years, and some do not. Giacomo Meyerbeer, for example, was probably the most famous opera composer of the middle years of the 19th … [Read more...] about The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko
George Balanchine
Dame Beryl Grey: an obituary by Mary Clarke
Beryl Grey, who has died at the age of 95, was a ballerina, director, administrator, and patron of many dance organisations, who had a distinguished international career but was quintessentially a … [Read more...] about Dame Beryl Grey: an obituary by Mary Clarke
Ballerinas Maria Tallchief and Carla Fracci honoured with a stamp and a coin
Almost contemporary announcements from both sides of the pond have arrived to honour two ballerinas. The Maria Tallchief Quarter will be issued next year in the United States and the Carla Fracci … [Read more...] about Ballerinas Maria Tallchief and Carla Fracci honoured with a stamp and a coin
[Review] The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration – the importance of the past, present, and future
How should the Royal Opera House celebrate 60 years of The Friends of Covent Garden? Krumping? Balanchine? Don't stress, you don't have to choose, we're getting both in the buffet that is The Royal … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration – the importance of the past, present, and future
A Diamond Celebration in cinema: The Royal Ballet Celebrates 60 Years
The Royal Ballet presents A Diamond Celebration, a special programme to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of The Friends of Covent Garden. It will be broadcast live to cinemas around the world on … [Read more...] about A Diamond Celebration in cinema: The Royal Ballet Celebrates 60 Years
[Review] New York City Ballet’s strange bedfellows: Episodes and Vienna Waltzes
Guest author Jonathan Gray sees New York City Ballet’s Episodes and Vienna Waltzes in New York. TitleAll Balanchine II – Episodes / Vienna WaltzesCompanyNew York City BalletVenueDavid H Koch … [Read more...] about [Review] New York City Ballet’s strange bedfellows: Episodes and Vienna Waltzes
Athelhampton House Gala: Stars of The Royal Ballet dance in charity gala this weekend
The Athelhampton House Gala in Dorset has become an annual happening after the Royal Ballet’s Meaghan Grace Hinkis created the event after the first lockdown in 2020. Hinkis, who has been a first … [Read more...] about Athelhampton House Gala: Stars of The Royal Ballet dance in charity gala this weekend
[Review & Album] La Scala Theatre Ballet School’s end of term show 2022
The ‘end of term’ show by La Scala Theatre Ballet School was of an exceptionally high level this year. This was exceptionally important as it was dedicated to the memory of Loreta Alexandrescu, a … [Read more...] about [Review & Album] La Scala Theatre Ballet School’s end of term show 2022
Dancing Times’ June 2022 issue features La Scala’s Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko
In June’s edition of Dancing Times magazine (out now) I talk to La Scala’s principal dancers Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko about life as an onstage and offstage couple: Nicoletta Manni … [Read more...] about Dancing Times’ June 2022 issue features La Scala’s Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko
Laurent Hilaire replaces Igor Zelensky at the Bavarian State Ballet
Laurent Hilaire takes over in May 2022 from Igor Zelensky as Director of the Bayerisches Staatsballett. Hilaire presented the season’s ballet programme during today's Bayerische Staatsoper and … [Read more...] about Laurent Hilaire replaces Igor Zelensky at the Bavarian State Ballet
The National Ballet of Canada 2022-2023 Season
Hope Muir, who became Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada at the beginning of this year, has announced the 2022-2023 season, her first full season with the company. Highlights … [Read more...] about The National Ballet of Canada 2022-2023 Season
Dancing Times, May 2022 issue
In the May issue of Dancing Times, I write in the Danza in Italia column about the Rome performance of Touché, a lockdown creation for American Ballet Theatre by Christopher Rudd. The European … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, May 2022 issue
Fracci Gala: La Scala celebrates Carla Fracci
How to celebrate a great dancer on stage? How to evoke memories of their artistry without creating a parody of their talent? Certainly, with Carla Fracci and the American Ballet Theatre video of … [Read more...] about Fracci Gala: La Scala celebrates Carla Fracci
[Review] Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala shows the company in top-notch form
The revival of George Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala showed the company in top-notch form, finally shedding off the insecurities arising from cancelled premieres, last minutes Covid-related cast … [Read more...] about [Review] Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala shows the company in top-notch form
[Photo Album] First peek at Balanchine’s Jewels which opens tonight at La Scala
After eight years, George Balanchine’s Jewels returns to La Scala and runs from 11 to 24 March 2022. Balanchine was inspired by the artistry of jewellery designer Claude Arpels and chose music … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] First peek at Balanchine’s Jewels which opens tonight at La Scala
La Scala honours Carla Fracci with the first annual gala
On Saturday 9 April 2022 La Scala will present Gala Fracci – First Edition. The director of La Scala’s ballet company, Manuel Legris, has devised a wide-ranging programme that reflects the repertoire … [Read more...] about La Scala honours Carla Fracci with the first annual gala
The Bolshoi’s new principal dancer Jacopo Tissi returns to La Scala with Zakharova
La Scala’s new production of La Bayadère, which was moved from the holiday period to the end of January because of multiple Covid-19 infections among the dancers, has resulted in recasting because of … [Read more...] about The Bolshoi’s new principal dancer Jacopo Tissi returns to La Scala with Zakharova
La Scala’s enthralling Contemporary Evening is a triumph
The Contemporary Evening was a triumph, with seven works: a contemporary ‘classic’, some lesser-known pieces, and a new creation. La Scala is finding it difficult to attract audiences back to the … [Read more...] about La Scala’s enthralling Contemporary Evening is a triumph
Davide Dato stars in the Italian premiere of Uwe Scholz’s The Rite of Spring
Uwe Scholz's version of Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring) will be performed for the first time in Italy by Davide Dato, principal dancer at the Vienna State Ballet. The work is part of an … [Read more...] about Davide Dato stars in the Italian premiere of Uwe Scholz’s The Rite of Spring
[Photo Album] The Royal Ballet’s “Beauty Mixed Programme”
Tomorrow, The Royal Ballet unveils a new mixed bill, the Beauty Mixed Programme. It reflects a phrase said by the company's founder Dame Ninette de Valois: Respect the past, herald the future but … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] The Royal Ballet’s “Beauty Mixed Programme”
Stravinsky celebrated in music and dance at Nervi, Ravenna and Rome festivals
On 8 July at the Nervi Music Ballet Festival 2021, a new programme of music and dance called Stravinsky’s Love will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the composer’s death*. The celebrated Russian … [Read more...] about Stravinsky celebrated in music and dance at Nervi, Ravenna and Rome festivals
Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake: mutations, violins and homosexuality
As his swan song on leaving his position as Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Jurowski chose for the orchestra to play the entire score of Swan Lake. An odd choice? … [Read more...] about Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake: mutations, violins and homosexuality
[Photo Album] Royal Ballet’s Balanchine and Robbins programme
Tonight, Friday 4 June, the Royal Ballet opens a new evening of dance dedicated to George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins with Apollo, the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, and Dances at a … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] Royal Ballet’s Balanchine and Robbins programme
Royal Ballet First Soloist Beatriz Stix-Brunell heads for Stanford University
The Royal Ballet has announced that First Soloist Beatriz Stix-Brunell is to leave the Company after 11 years. In a move that was deferred due to the global pandemic, she leaves at the … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet First Soloist Beatriz Stix-Brunell heads for Stanford University
Jacques d’Amboise dies at the age of 86
Jacques d’Amboise has died at the age of 86. The great interpreter of George Balanchine ballets and passionate dance educator had been incapacitated after a stroke but was taken care of in his home in … [Read more...] about Jacques d’Amboise dies at the age of 86
Dancing Words – Roberto Bolle talks about his new book
Parole che danzano (Dancing Words) – Roberto Bolle's new book Over the years, there have been several coffee table books dedicated to the career and physique of Roberto Bolle. Parole che danzano … [Read more...] about Dancing Words – Roberto Bolle talks about his new book
The Royal Opera and Ballet companies announce the full schedule for Spring/Summer 2021
The Royal Opera House will reopen its doors to the public on 17 May 2021. Public booking opens on 7 May at 10am (UK time). Online programming will continue, while La clemenza di Tito will be the … [Read more...] about The Royal Opera and Ballet companies announce the full schedule for Spring/Summer 2021
Balanchine’s JEWELS is sparkling brightly at San Francisco Ballet online
The first of the three pieces that make up Balanchine ballet Jewels was filmed at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco in front of an empty auditorium in January of this year. Emeralds, … [Read more...] about Balanchine’s JEWELS is sparkling brightly at San Francisco Ballet online
Sofia Coppola to direct a film featuring New York City Ballet dancers
New York City Ballet has announced that filmmaker Sofia Coppola will direct a film for the Company’s current digital season, which will premiere at NYCB’s 2021 Spring Gala – the Company’s first-ever … [Read more...] about Sofia Coppola to direct a film featuring New York City Ballet dancers
Vail Dance Festival returns for the 2021 Season
The Vail Dance Festival has announced plans to return in-person for its 32nd season running from 30 July 30 to 9 August 2021, with seven World Premiere Dances, four Commissioned Scores, the return to … [Read more...] about Vail Dance Festival returns for the 2021 Season
