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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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, … [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 … [Read more...] about Tonight Roberto Bolle and Friends alight at the 15,000-seater Roman Arena in Verona
The dance drain: who will save ballet in Italy?
Italians are great dancers, but they don't get much opportunity to demonstrate that in their homeland. The history of ballet is adorned with Italian talent: Giuseppina Bozzacchi was the … [Read more...] about The dance drain: who will save ballet in Italy?
La Famiglia: opera Italian-style with the Muti family
Riccardo Muti’s daughter is about to make her directing début: Chiara Muti will direct Hindemith’s Sancta Susanna, which her father will conduct, for the Ravenna Festival. Oh yes, her mother, Cristina … [Read more...] about La Famiglia: opera Italian-style with the Muti family
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’
Roberto Bolle: I conquered America… ABT, Black Swan and solitude
After Roberto Bolle's Romeo and Juliet with the American Ballet Theatre in New York, Italy's gossip magazine Chi sent their editor Alsonso Signorini to interview him, and photographer Fabrizio Cestari … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle: I conquered America… ABT, Black Swan and solitude
Carla Fracci and Bocelli’s agent Caterina Caselli in a bizarre collection of photographs!
In 1978, with Carla Fracci at the height of her fame, a book was produced with a collection of photographs by Dino Jarach. Fracci in the piazza, Fracci on stage, Fracci in the studio, Fracci on the … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci and Bocelli’s agent Caterina Caselli in a bizarre collection of photographs!
Italy’s queen of song, Mina, salutes ‘angel’ Whitney Houston
Italian music legend Mina has saluted late soul-pop superstar Whitney Houston as an "angel" who invented a new way of singing. The reclusive star who writes a weekly column for Italy's Vanity Fair … [Read more...] about Italy’s queen of song, Mina, salutes ‘angel’ Whitney Houston
Why Mario Monti Is the Most Important Man in Europe (and on the cover of Time magazine)
At first glance, it seems impossible that the fate of the world economy rests in Mario Monti's hands - says Time magazine. The Prime Minister of Italy has the aura of a gentlemanly grandfather — … [Read more...] about Why Mario Monti Is the Most Important Man in Europe (and on the cover of Time magazine)
Vito Mazzeo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? At 9 years old. Why did you start dancing? I saw Carla Fracci dancing. Which dancer inspired you most as a child? Carla Fracci and Erik Bruhn for their … [Read more...] about Vito Mazzeo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Vatican museums hit new record in 2011: more than 5 million visitors
The Vatican Museums broke their own record for visitor numbers to any site in Italy in 2011, attracting more than five million people for the first time, Director Antonio Paolucci said Tuesday. "By … [Read more...] about Vatican museums hit new record in 2011: more than 5 million visitors
Alberto Pretto answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? At the age of 14. It had been hard to convince my dad to take me to my first ballet class! Why did you start dancing? I always wanted to dance since I was … [Read more...] about Alberto Pretto answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Roberto Bolle reveals what’s in his fridge…
In Italy's Corriere della Sera supplement, Io Donna, Roberto Bolle is one of several celebrities to open his fridge door for the cameras in an article about "We are what we eat". He talked to Carlo … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle reveals what’s in his fridge…
Priscilla struts into Milan in her high-heels… and will survive!
in italiano by Stefania Clerici “True colors are beautiful, like a rainbow” sang Cyndi Lauper in the 80s…and true, spectacular and multi-coloured are the sets, lights, costumes and music of the … [Read more...] about Priscilla struts into Milan in her high-heels… and will survive!
Being groomed for stardom: Italian ballerina Petra Conti
23 year-old Petra Conti is a dancer at La Scala in Milan, who is being slowly brought before the public by director (ex-director of the Mariinsky) Makhar Vaziev. He first saw her when she spent a … [Read more...] about Being groomed for stardom: Italian ballerina Petra Conti
Unseen photos: Rudolf Nureyev warming up at the Macerata Festival in 1980
A glimpse of Rudolf Nureyev at the barre before a performance at the Macerata Festical in Italy in 1980. … [Read more...] about Unseen photos: Rudolf Nureyev warming up at the Macerata Festival in 1980
UNESCO agrees to help Italy restore Pompeii
The United Nations cultural agency UNESCO and the Italian government have agreed to join forces to restore rain-damaged Pompeii. UNESCO said it would work with Italy over the next nine months to … [Read more...] about UNESCO agrees to help Italy restore Pompeii
Carla Fracci to receive Milan’s prestigious Carlo Porta award
On Monday, Italy's dancing legend, Carla Fracci, will receive one of Milan's most prestigious awards, the Carlo Porta. Porta, born at the end of the 18th Century, is Milan's most famous poet, and … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci to receive Milan’s prestigious Carlo Porta award
La Scala’s Raymonda “is a true banquet: pomp, circumstance, and an entire world on stage”, says the Financial Times
The Financial Times visited Milan's historic theatre to witness Sergei Vikharev’s reconstruction of Raymonda - a production which is sending ripples of interest and excitement around the ballet … [Read more...] about La Scala’s Raymonda “is a true banquet: pomp, circumstance, and an entire world on stage”, says the Financial Times
Pippo Delbono, Marie-Agnès Gillot and Bobò – the étoile in the asylum
In just under two hours Pippo Delbono takes his audience on a rollercoaster ride from Dante to Pasolini, from a solo violin to a Verdi chorus, from contemporary dance to pointe shoes, from the … [Read more...] about Pippo Delbono, Marie-Agnès Gillot and Bobò – the étoile in the asylum
”The greatest white singer in the world” hunts for mystery songwriter
Like Prince Charming looking for the owner of the glass slipper, reclusive Italian singing legend Mina launched a social media campaign Tuesday to identify who wrote a song on her upcoming album, said … [Read more...] about ”The greatest white singer in the world” hunts for mystery songwriter
The Times celebrates Milan’s Raymonda… but why?
Milan's newspaper, the most influential Italian paper, Il Corriere della Sera, almost ignored La Raymonda at La Scala last week, with Valeria Crippa's short article dismissing it quickly. Here the … [Read more...] about The Times celebrates Milan’s Raymonda… but why?
