The English dancer, mime artist and choreographer Lindsay Kemp died this morning in Livorno (Leghorn) in Italy, where he had his home. He was 80. Kemp formed his own dance company in the early sixties and first attracted attention with an appearance at the Edinburgh Festival in 1968. Kemp's stage performances included Pierrot In Turquoise, Flowers, Salome, Mr Punch's … [Read more...] about Lindsay Kemp dies at 80
Italy
Pompeii will collapse entirely, says UNESCO commission
After two areas of Pompeii crumbled yesterday - part of the Temple of Venus and part of a tomb at the Nocera Gate - another part collapsed this morning: a 2 metre-high wall in via Nola. The new Culture Minister, Dario Franceschini, has called an urgent meeting for tomorrow morning. This morning's collapse was of part of a shop which is closed to the public, and was … [Read more...] about Pompeii will collapse entirely, says UNESCO commission
Museum of Musical Instruments in Reggio Calabria destroyed by arsonists
The Museum of Musical Instruments in Reggio Calabria in Italy, has been totally destroyed by fire after being torched by arsonists. Initial reports suggest that several instruments in particular were set alight, before the fire spread around the whole building. The museum, which is close to the seafront which faces Sicily, was founded 17 years ago on the initiative of a … [Read more...] about Museum of Musical Instruments in Reggio Calabria destroyed by arsonists
A new Mama Rose gets her turn in Italy’s first ever ‘Gypsy’
On 15 January, Milan will welcome a new Rose to the stage as Gyspy opens in Italy. Loretta Goggi has been a household name in Italy for half a century. She made her début in television as a girl and hasn't been far from the small screen or stage since. Starting out as a child actress, she found her talent for singing when she was a small girl, and later a talent for … [Read more...] about A new Mama Rose gets her turn in Italy’s first ever ‘Gypsy’
Italy’s new Titanic musical stays afloat
The world has a new Titanic musical. Italy's version is the work of Federico Bellone who wrote the book, lyrics and music, and is also the show's director. It is inevitably derivative with references to the DiCaprio/Winslett blockbuster and the 1997 Broadway Tony-winning musical. It is also unfortunate that the main theme (yes, 'Titanic') sounds very much like 'As If We … [Read more...] about Italy’s new Titanic musical stays afloat
Cecilia Bartoli triumphs at La Scala amidst catcalls and boos
After nineteen years, Cecilia Bartoli's return to Milan's La Scala tonight was long overdue. Daniel Barenboim was the instigator of the event: the opening of the La Scala Philharmonic's season. An obviously tense Bartoli immediately illuminated the theatre with her smile, though her voice needed a little longer to give the audience what they were expecting. The Handel arias … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli triumphs at La Scala amidst catcalls and boos
Stage Entertainment musicals: bringing excellence to Italy
Italy has long been plagued with a lazy approach to putting on musicals. Looked on as easy money makers, the artistic and financial input is often skipped over for quicker gains. Mistake! Audiences were not happy getting ripped off by incompetent production teams providing cheap imitations of Broadway shows or Hollywood musicals. Not everything was bad, but a lot was. That … [Read more...] about Stage Entertainment musicals: bringing excellence to Italy
A new ballet company for Italy? Rome’s mayor announces a project for the Italian National Ballet
The Mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, has announced, We are working on a project with Carla Fracci to create a National Ballet Company which can bring the Rome experience to a national level. The 'Rome experience' was the period of ten years that Fracci spent at the helm of the capital's ballet company. Alemanno, who is by default the president of the board of directors of … [Read more...] about A new ballet company for Italy? Rome’s mayor announces a project for the Italian National Ballet
So does Ute Lemper approve of Angela Merkel? Nein!
Ute Lemper is touring Europe with her cabaret programme which includes material by that most political of theatre writers, Bertolt Brecht. Lemper herself has always been outspoken about her views, upsetting much of the German establishment along the way. The mix of her native German tongue, with almost perfect English and French, might have made her the European par … [Read more...] about So does Ute Lemper approve of Angela Merkel? Nein!
Tonight Roberto Bolle and Friends alight at the 15,000-seater Roman Arena in Verona
Tonight Verona's famous Arena is sold out. All 15,000 seats will be full to watch Roberto Bolle and his 'friends' dance in the open air. It is a magical place. Italy's Il Sole 24 Ore (the equivalent of the Financial Times, and the same colour) spoke to him. Unfortunately half of these interviews are always taken up with the same questions, but as we know that dancers don't … [Read more...] about Tonight Roberto Bolle and Friends alight at the 15,000-seater Roman Arena in Verona