“Fragments of eternity that tell of beauty, strength, even pain. Shots snatched from the fluid and passionate movement of dance and framed to become 'forever'.” So runs the blurb of the … [Read more...] about Attimo, sei bello! in Rome – a photographic exhibition celebrating the beauty of dance
Graham Spicer
Free stream of Les Étoiles ballet gala in Rome from Friday 29 April
A free streaming of the Les Étoiles gala from Rome, filmed earlier this year, will be available from tomorrow, 29 April, on ITsART – the streaming platform for Italian art and culture. ITsART … [Read more...] about Free stream of Les Étoiles ballet gala in Rome from Friday 29 April
Italy’s dance magazine Danza & Danza names winners of 2021 awards
The leading dance magazine in Italy, Danza & Danza, has announced its annual awards and, like last year, they are somewhat modified to include streams and videos of dance that have become new ways … [Read more...] about Italy’s dance magazine Danza & Danza names winners of 2021 awards
A captivating dance tribute to Stravinsky at Italy’s Nervi Festival
A programme of dance dedicated to Igor Stravinsky on the 50th anniversary of his death launched the dance season at this year’s Nervi Music Ballet Festival. The pieces on the programme for … [Read more...] about A captivating dance tribute to Stravinsky at Italy’s Nervi Festival
DANZA&DANZA names the winners of its 2020 Awards
Italy's DANZA&DANZA magazine has announced its prize winners for 2020 with artists and productions from Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Teatro dell'Opera in Rome, Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, Opéra … [Read more...] about DANZA&DANZA names the winners of its 2020 Awards
Ballet treats to view online during the holidays
Dance programming for the festive period from companies all over the world are many: free, subscription and pay-per-view. Here are some that have caught my eye. Please feel free to signal in the … [Read more...] about Ballet treats to view online during the holidays
All male dance gala of ‘Duets and Solos’ streaming free from Modena
Duets and Solos is a Covid-safe dance gala idea devised by Italian producer Daniele Cipriani when the pandemic crippled the programming plans of the Italian open-air festivals. Social distancing for … [Read more...] about All male dance gala of ‘Duets and Solos’ streaming free from Modena
December’s Dancing Times features Manuel Legris, Eleonora Abbagnato, and other delights
The latest issue of Dancing Times is now on sale. The December 2020 issue ends the year when the magazine celebrated its 110th anniversary, and even with the cancellation of so many shows the world … [Read more...] about December’s Dancing Times features Manuel Legris, Eleonora Abbagnato, and other delights
Eleonora Abbagnato shines in Four Seasons, created for strange times
The Covid-safe dance piece 4 stagioni (Four Seasons) was created for Rome Opera Ballet after the opera, dance and concert summer programme at the Caracalla Baths was cancelled in May. Opera Roma … [Read more...] about Eleonora Abbagnato shines in Four Seasons, created for strange times
[Review] Beethoven’s ballet The Creatures of Prometheus with striking Capucci costumes
Italian producer Daniele Cipriani seems to be resuscitating dance in Italy almost singlehandedly. The first main dance event in the country was conceived by him and presented in mid-July to open the … [Read more...] about [Review] Beethoven’s ballet The Creatures of Prometheus with striking Capucci costumes
Photo album: Gala Les Étoiles at Ravenna Festival with international ballet stars
Dorothée Gilbert and Hugo Marchand (Paris Opera Ballet), Jacopo Tissi and Alena Kovaleva (Bolshoi Ballet), Bakhtiyar Adamzhan (Astana Opera, Kazakhstan), Tatiana Melnik (Hungarian National Ballet), … [Read more...] about Photo album: Gala Les Étoiles at Ravenna Festival with international ballet stars
Les Étoiles in Rome – Nuñez, Muntagirov, Novikova, Sarafanov, Alexandrova, Lantratov, Semionova…
Les Étoiles in Rome - Marianela Nuñez, Vadim Muntagirov, Olesya Novikova, Leonid Sarafanov, Maria Alexandrova, Vladislav Lantratov, Polina Semionova, Dmitry Semionov, Tatiana Melnik, Bakhtiyar … [Read more...] about Les Étoiles in Rome – Nuñez, Muntagirov, Novikova, Sarafanov, Alexandrova, Lantratov, Semionova…
In conversation with Myriam Ould-Braham and István Simon
The annual, starry, late summer gala organised by American Ballet Theatre’s Xiomara Reyes and Ballets du Monte Carlo’s Elías García for IBStage takes place at Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del … [Read more...] about In conversation with Myriam Ould-Braham and István Simon
Giovanna d’Arco – the background of La Scala’s latest production
On 7 December 2015, La Scala’s 2015-2016 Season opens with Giuseppe Verdi’s Giovanna d’Arco, which had its premiere at La Scala on 15 February 1845, but hasn’t been staged at the Milanese theatre … [Read more...] about Giovanna d’Arco – the background of La Scala’s latest production
Florestan’s crepes backstage at La Scala
Instead of lounging in the pressroom with glass of something bubbly in my hand during the opening of La Scala’s season, I found myself in the wings holding a mic and trying to describe – and translate … [Read more...] about Florestan’s crepes backstage at La Scala
About me
I am a writer, director and photographer based in Milan, aka 'Gramilano'. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My articles have … [Read more...] about About me
Sylvie Guillem on why she’s still ‘Mademoiselle Non’
Sylive Guillem will be in Venice tomorrow to receive from the Biennale the Leone d'oro (Golden Lion) for "having redesigned the form of the dancer, defying the laws of physics". Valeria Crippa … [Read more...] about Sylvie Guillem on why she’s still ‘Mademoiselle Non’
My memories of Jane Russell – a down-to-earth gal: June 21, 1921 – February 28, 2011
Jane Russell and I had little in common, but we shared the same birthday, which we both agreed was the best possible day to have a birthday, June 21. When I worked with her, briefly, she joked about … [Read more...] about My memories of Jane Russell – a down-to-earth gal: June 21, 1921 – February 28, 2011
Dame Harriet Walter enter stage left
Actress Harriet Walter, who has been made a dame in the New Year Honours, has enjoyed a distinguished career on stage and screen spanning three decades. Dame Harriet, the niece of Sir Christopher … [Read more...] about Dame Harriet Walter enter stage left
All I ask is the possibility of love! – Frankenstein at the National Theatre
The beginning of February sees what must be one of the most highly anticipated productions of 2011 - Frankenstein, directed by Danny 'Slumdog Millionaire' Boyale at London's National Theatre. It is an … [Read more...] about All I ask is the possibility of love! – Frankenstein at the National Theatre