A Swan Lake with two of the Bolshoi Ballet Company principals who left the company after Russia invaded Ukraine – Olga Smirnova, one of Russia’s brightest stars, and the Italian Jacopo Tissi who was … [Read more...] about [Review and Photo Album] Olga Smirnova and Jacopo Tissi in Swan Lake at La Scala
homosexuality
Prison cancels opera about violent gangster and gay composer Ivor Novello
An opera about gangster ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser and the composer Ivor Novello, both jailed in Wormwood Scrubs prison in 1944, was due to be staged at the prison tomorrow but has been cancelled with four … [Read more...] about Prison cancels opera about violent gangster and gay composer Ivor Novello
The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko
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
[Review] German Cornejo’s Tango After Dark: sizzling passion and pyrotechnic lifts
Guest author Matthew Paluch sees German Cornejo's Tango After Dark in London If anyone mentions Astor Piazzolla I'm there in a flash. This has to do partly with wonderful argot memories of … [Read more...] about [Review] German Cornejo’s Tango After Dark: sizzling passion and pyrotechnic lifts
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
The world’s ballet Étoiles army arrives in Rome, conquering with its art
It’s become an annual event in Rome – after the Christmas holidays and the last bite of panettone, comes the Daniele Cipriani Entertainment dance gala with some of the best and biggest names in ballet … [Read more...] about The world’s ballet Étoiles army arrives in Rome, conquering with its art
In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?
When Roberto Bolle popped out and in of the closet four years ago internet forums and gossip rags foamed at the mouth. Openly gay ballet dancers, like openly gay actors and singers, are few and far … [Read more...] about In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?
Cruelty at the Bolshoi: acid attacks and smear campaigns. Tsiskaridze responds.
Sergei Filin had been receiving intimidating phone calls for a while, and had had his tyres punctured and his email hacked, but the acid attack that has shocked the dance world is beyond all … [Read more...] about Cruelty at the Bolshoi: acid attacks and smear campaigns. Tsiskaridze responds.
The Man I Love – was George Gershwin gay?
Michael Feinstein’s book on the Gershwins called, sensibly, “The Gershwins and Me” (Simon & Schuster) was published in October. While he was still working in piano bars, Feinstein got to know Ira … [Read more...] about The Man I Love – was George Gershwin gay?
Maurice Sendak: Being gay in the old days was hard, being gay later was weird.
Maurice Sendak, creator of Where the Wild Things Are, which has sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide, is 83 and walks with a stick (“It’s for hitting people”). Sendak has not published a book … [Read more...] about Maurice Sendak: Being gay in the old days was hard, being gay later was weird.
Alan Hollinghurst’s new novel, The Stranger’s Child: “an extraordinary achievement”
Lovers of Hollinghurst's writing have been waiting a long time for the end of June 2011 and the publication of his new novel. In fact, the wait has been seven years, but now we know that it was worth … [Read more...] about Alan Hollinghurst’s new novel, The Stranger’s Child: “an extraordinary achievement”
Patrice Chéreau on English actors, the theatre, and his homosexuality
The Guardian went to meet Patrice Chéreau who is in London to rehearse the first play he has ever directed in the UK. It's a coup for the Young Vic. The play he is rehearsing is I Am The Wind, a … [Read more...] about Patrice Chéreau on English actors, the theatre, and his homosexuality
Pianists Stephen Hough and Liberace and why perfume is so gay
Stephen Hough, one of Britain's greatest pianists, is also a great blogger and twitterer. As a lover of not just music but , to quote from his blog profile, theology, art, hats and puddings too, his … [Read more...] about Pianists Stephen Hough and Liberace and why perfume is so gay
Elizabeth Taylor: selection from a life… what today’s press has been saying, her best films and her changing look
Today's press A London-born beauty who never lost her clipped, clean way of speaking, Ms. Taylor possessed vivid features known to three generations of filmgoers: Raven hair, dark eyebrows, ivory … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Taylor: selection from a life… what today’s press has been saying, her best films and her changing look
