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- dance, opera, photography...

Kenneth MacMillan

Royal Ballet and Opera unveils new stage curtains during special Gala performance

5 May 2026 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Apollo and Daphne (c)2020 ROH. Photographed by Tristram Kenton

On Thursday 14 May, following almost three decades of service and tens of thousands of performances, the Royal Ballet and Opera will unveils its new stage curtains as part of a Gala … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet and Opera unveils new stage curtains during special Gala performance

Interview: The Royal Ballet’s William Bracewell on his journey to Mayerling

30 April 2026 by Lily Hyde Leave a Comment

William Bracewell as Crown Prince Rudolf with Leticia Dias as Countess Marie Larisch in Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling (c)2026 Tristram Kenton crop

Lily Hyde talks to William Bracewell on preparing to play Prince Rudolf in The Royal Ballet's Mayerling, his acting process, and an unlikely source of inspiration. William Bracewell’s journey to … [Read more...] about Interview: The Royal Ballet’s William Bracewell on his journey to Mayerling

Interview: Royal Ballet Principal Calvin Richardson on life before and after Mayerling

23 April 2026 by Lily Hyde Leave a Comment

Calvin Richardson as Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling (c)2026 RBO. Photographed by Andrej Uspenski crop

After his debut in the ballet Mayerling, The Royal Ballet's Calvin Richardson spoke with Lily Hyde about his dream role and career as Principal Dancer. Like many male ballet dancers, Calvin … [Read more...] about Interview: Royal Ballet Principal Calvin Richardson on life before and after Mayerling

San Francisco Ballet – The Complete 2026-2027 Season

18 April 2026 by Ann Haskins Leave a Comment

Sasha de Sola and Tiit Helimets in Diamonds Photo by Erik Tomasson

Ballet’s past, present, and future are explored in the 2026-2027 season, San Francisco Ballet announced this week. Curated by Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, the season continues her menu of … [Read more...] about San Francisco Ballet – The Complete 2026-2027 Season

The Royal Ballet – complete 2026-2027 Season

14 April 2026 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Royal Ballet School

The Royal Ballet has unveiled a programme that aims to honour its extraordinary lineage and embrace the future of the art form during the 2026-2027 Season. In celebration of his 20th anniversary as … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet – complete 2026-2027 Season

Review: William Bracewell gives a Shakespearean performance in his debut in Mayerling with The Royal Ballet

4 April 2026 by Lily Hyde 1 Comment

Leticia Dias as Countess Marie Larisch and William Bracewell as Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling (c)2026 Tristram Kenton (1)

Lily Hyde sees William Bracewell's debut in Mayerling – one of The Royal Ballet’s most intelligent dancers, a singular performer who evades comparison. TitleMayerlingCompanyThe Royal … [Read more...] about Review: William Bracewell gives a Shakespearean performance in his debut in Mayerling with The Royal Ballet

Review: Calvin Richardson makes an expressive and beautifully danced debut in The Royal Ballet’s Mayerling

3 April 2026 by Jonathan Gray Leave a Comment

Anna Rose O'Sullivan as Countess Marie Larisch and Calvin Richardson as Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling (c)2026 RBO. Photographed by Andrej Uspenski

Jonathan Gray sees Calvin Richardson's debut in Mayerling with The Royal Ballet – Tall, elegantly proportioned, expressive and, above all, blessed with great physical … [Read more...] about Review: Calvin Richardson makes an expressive and beautifully danced debut in The Royal Ballet’s Mayerling

Review: Matthew Ball is riveting in The Royal Ballet’s Mayerling

2 April 2026 by Jonathan Gray 1 Comment

Melissa Hamilton as Mary Vetsera and Matthew Ball as Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling (c)2026 Tristram Kenton (4)

Jonathan Gray sees a myriad of fine performances on Mayerling's opening night, but none finer than Matthew Ball in Laura Morera's detailed revival for The Royal Ballet. TitleMayerlingCompanyThe … [Read more...] about Review: Matthew Ball is riveting in The Royal Ballet’s Mayerling

Review: Kafka with the National Ballet of Brno – a tour de force for Arthur Abram in the title role

30 March 2026 by Graham Watts Leave a Comment

Kafka - National Ballet of Brno - photo by Pavel Hejný - 08

Graham Watts admires the National Ballet of Brno's Kafka – it’s a physical challenge to match the role of Rudolf in MacMillan’s Mayerling. TitleKafkaCompanyNational Ballet of BrnoVenueJanacek … [Read more...] about Review: Kafka with the National Ballet of Brno – a tour de force for Arthur Abram in the title role

The Royal Ballet School looks to the future as it celebrates its 100th anniversary

26 March 2026 by Matthew Paluch Leave a Comment

Students performing at Centenary Insight Day - our future (c)2026 The Royal Ballet School (2)

Matthew Paluch attended a Royal Ballet School Centenary Insight Day. Like the school's founder, Ninette de Valois, he believes we need more than feelings; we need intelligence. 2026 is the … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet School looks to the future as it celebrates its 100th anniversary

Review: Covent Garden Choreographics with New English Ballet Theatre

23 March 2026 by Lily Hyde Leave a Comment

NEBT in 'Orbital Motion' Liudmila Konvalova, Hiroki Takano photo by Alice Pennefather

Lily Hyde sees New English Ballet Theatre at Royal Ballet & Opera in Covent Garden Choreographics – a company whose ambitions far outpace its resources. TitleCovent Garden … [Read more...] about Review: Covent Garden Choreographics with New English Ballet Theatre

Youth America Grand Prix’s 2026 Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Gala

19 March 2026 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

YAGP 2026

Ballet stars will join Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) – the world’s largest ballet scholarship organisation – to celebrate this year’s Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Gala on Thursday 16 … [Read more...] about Youth America Grand Prix’s 2026 Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Gala

Patricio Revé joins The Royal Ballet as Principal dancer

13 January 2026 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Patricio Revé as Romeo in Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet, The Royal Ballet 2025 RBO. Photographed by Andrej Uspenski

Director of The Royal Ballet, Kevin O’Hare, today announced that Patricio Revé will join the Company as a Principal dancer from the start of the 2026/27 Season. Revé is currently a Guest Artist … [Read more...] about Patricio Revé joins The Royal Ballet as Principal dancer

The best dozen dance shows of 2025 – a legacy of memories from Graham Watts’ year in dance

29 December 2025 by Graham Watts Leave a Comment

Prometheus - Krzysztof Pastor, Polish National Ballet with Marco Esposito as Zeus, photo Ewa Krasuckaa

2025 saw a recovery in the number of shows that I saw, rising to 157 (from 135 in 2024) and – accounting for mixed programmes - they contained 216 separate works (rising from 176 in 2024). Although … [Read more...] about The best dozen dance shows of 2025 – a legacy of memories from Graham Watts’ year in dance

Review: Kenneth MacMillan’s The Sleeping Beauty with English National Ballet

30 November 2025 by Lily Hyde 1 Comment

English National Ballet in Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s The Sleeping Beauty (c) Emily Nuttall.jpg (2)

Lily Hyde sees English National Ballet in Kenneth MacMillan's 1987 version of The Sleeping Beauty, created for American Ballet Theatre. TitleThe Sleeping BeautyCompanyEnglish National … [Read more...] about Review: Kenneth MacMillan’s The Sleeping Beauty with English National Ballet

Review: Astana Ballet Theatre in Two Carpets – “amongst the best new full-length narrative ballets that I have seen”

21 October 2025 by Graham Watts 1 Comment

Two Carpets - photo courtesy of press service Astana Ballet Theatre - 22

Graham Watts sees Two Carpets, the new ballet for Astana Ballet Theatre – an outstanding new entry to the global ballet repertoire. TitleTwo CarpetsCompanyAstana Ballet Theatre/ Mosaic Del … [Read more...] about Review: Astana Ballet Theatre in Two Carpets – “amongst the best new full-length narrative ballets that I have seen”

Rocio Aleman answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

25 September 2025 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Rocio Aleman in Die Kameliendame, photo by Roman Novitzky

Rocio Aleman was born in Monterrey, Mexico. In 2008 she went to Stuttgart to train at the John Cranko Schule, in 2011 she joined the Stuttgart Ballet becoming Principal Dancer in … [Read more...] about Rocio Aleman answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Interview: Tamara Rojo, San Francisco Ballet’s Artistic Director – bringing the art of ballet forward

9 September 2025 by Ann Haskins Leave a Comment

Tamara Rojo - photo by RJ Muna crop

Leaning into her third season as Artistic Director of San Francisco Ballet, Tamara Rojo is balancing the venerable heritage of America’s oldest ballet company with its equally venerable commitment to … [Read more...] about Interview: Tamara Rojo, San Francisco Ballet’s Artistic Director – bringing the art of ballet forward

American Ballet Theatre’s programme for Fall Gala honouring Misty Copeland

26 August 2025 by Gramilano 7 Comments

Misty Copeland

American Ballet Theatre will honour Principal Dancer Misty Copeland with a starry Fall Gala celebration on Wednesday 22 October 2025 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. This event will … [Read more...] about American Ballet Theatre’s programme for Fall Gala honouring Misty Copeland

Review: Gala Mario Porcile at the Nervi Festival – international stars in a refined programme

7 August 2025 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Ida Praetorius, Cassandra Trenary, Aliya Tanikpaeva and Jessica Xuan in Pas de Quatre - photo by Marcello Orselli, Nervi Festival 2025

Graham Spicer sees Gala Mario Porcile, the closing event of the Nervi Festival, with dancers from The Royal Ballet, Hamburg, Dutch and Bavarian State Ballet companies, and ABT. TitleGala Mario … [Read more...] about Review: Gala Mario Porcile at the Nervi Festival – international stars in a refined programme

Tonight – closing gala of the Nervi International Ballet Festival 2025, near Genoa

27 July 2025 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Jacopo Bellussi and Matthew Ball rehearse Le chant du compagnon errant - photo by Clarissa Lapolla crop

This evening, the Nervi International Ballet Festival 2025 closes with a gala dedicated to its founder, Mario Porcile. Artistic Director Jacopo Bellussi (who will also dance) together with Maina … [Read more...] about Tonight – closing gala of the Nervi International Ballet Festival 2025, near Genoa

Rocchetta Grand Jeté 2025 – Royal Ballet dancers in the Monferrato wine district

23 July 2025 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Sleeping Beauty - Julia Roscoe and Aiden O'Brien - Rocchetta Grand Jeté, photo by Graham Spicer 2025 - 04

The village of Rocchetta Tanaro lies in the heart of the Monferrato wine district in Piedmont, one of Italy’s most important wine-producing areas. Here, ten Royal Ballet dancers descended for the … [Read more...] about Rocchetta Grand Jeté 2025 – Royal Ballet dancers in the Monferrato wine district

Review: The Royal Ballet at the Nervi Festival celebrating Ashton and Paris Opera Ballet’s Signature Pieces

22 July 2025 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Alina Cojocaru and Matthew Ball in Marguerite and Armand (2)

Graham Spicer sees The Royal Ballet and Paris Opera Ballet at the Nervi Festival, with the London company pulling aces out of its sleeve. TitleA Celebration of the Works of Frederick AshtonSignature … [Read more...] about Review: The Royal Ballet at the Nervi Festival celebrating Ashton and Paris Opera Ballet’s Signature Pieces

Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Giacomo Rovero on dancing among the vines – Rocchetta Grand Jeté

3 July 2025 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Rocchetta Grand Jeté 2023 - Giacomo Rovero 2, photo Andrej Uspenski 2023

A few years ago, a rather remarkable woman, Francesca Massone Incisa, wanted to stage a gala at her ‘home’. Home, for Massone, is Cantine dei Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta, among the Monferrato … [Read more...] about Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Giacomo Rovero on dancing among the vines – Rocchetta Grand Jeté

The Royal Ballet announces company promotions, joiners and leavers  2025

27 June 2025 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Leavers and joiners image 2025 photo by Johan Persson

Director of The Royal Ballet, Kevin O’Hare, has announced promotions, new joiners and leavers for The Royal Ballet’s 2025/26 Season.  He said, I am sure audiences will join me in congratulating … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet announces company promotions, joiners and leavers  2025

2024 National Dance Awards announced in London

9 June 2025 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Tommy Franzén (Dionysus) in Minotaur, photo by Tristram Kenton 2025

The Winners of the 2024 National Dance Awards were announced at a ceremony at the Barbican Centre in London. It is the 25th anniversary of the Awards. The awards – voted upon by the 60 dance … [Read more...] about 2024 National Dance Awards announced in London

Interview: talking to Melissa Hamilton, The Royal Ballet’s new principal dancer

10 May 2025 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Melissa Hamilton 2

The Royal Ballet’s Melissa Hamilton, recently promoted to Principal Dancer, will dance in Christopher Wheeldon’s Fool’s Paradise, opening the company’s Ballet to Broadway mixed bill of Wheeldon works. … [Read more...] about Interview: talking to Melissa Hamilton, The Royal Ballet’s new principal dancer

London City Ballet announces a 20 Venue UK and European tour

8 April 2025 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Linbury Jerome Robbins Quiet City image ASH

London City Ballet’s Artistic Director Christopher Marney has announced the company’s touring plans for the 2025 season as well as the full company of dancers for the season. The tour takes in 8 UK … [Read more...] about London City Ballet announces a 20 Venue UK and European tour

The Royal Ballet 2025/26 Season

3 April 2025 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Artists of The Royal Ballet in Untitled 2023, The Royal Ballet 2023, photo by Alice Pennefather

The Royal Ballet 2025/26 Season - Highlights • World premieres by Wayne McGregor, Cathy Marston, Akram Khan and choreographic duo Sol León and Paul Lightfoot. • Revivals of much-loved ballet … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet 2025/26 Season

Interview: Giving Voice to British Ballet – Patricia Linton talks to Jonathan Gray about Voices of British Ballet

22 March 2025 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Patricia Linton (1)

Voices of British Ballet launches a new platform, with a website and podcast, to become the UK’s richest audio archive and treasure trove of untold stories of British ballet. Dance critic Jonathan … [Read more...] about Interview: Giving Voice to British Ballet – Patricia Linton talks to Jonathan Gray about Voices of British Ballet

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Gramilano newsletter 2019

INTERVIEWS

Jacopo Bellussi and Alessandro Frola in Peter and Igor, Nijinsky Gala, Hamburg 2021 38 © Kiran West

A new John Neumeier work brings two Italian dancers back home

Taming Our Trauma - photo by Pippa Samaya - 11

Taming Our Trauma – creating inclusive and tolerant spaces for dancers

Katia Ricciarelli, Rai TV, 2019

Katia Ricciarelli at 74 returns to the opera stage and talks about being a diva

Katia Ricciarelli - Chi

Soprano Katia Ricciarelli to be contestant in Big Brother TV reality show

Jonas Kaufmann and Helmut Deutsch © Lena Wunderlich, Sony Classical

Jonas Kaufmann on his Verona debut, new album, and love of Italy

Sergei Polunin, Romeo and Juliet, Verona 2019

Interview with Sergei Polunin – Verona’s new Romeo

GALA FRACCI - L'heure exquise - Alessandra Ferri Carsten Jung - photo by Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala (4)

[Interview] Alessandra Ferri, part two: “When dance saved me”

Cris Devil - Trash Dance - Zanini Arte

Interview: Italian artist Cris Devil – creating his artistic world with irony and passion

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GRAMILANO

Graham Spicer, aka 'Gramilano', is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.

Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.

He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.

Since 2022, Gramilano has been pleased to welcome guest authors: Paul Arrowsmith, Donatella Bertozzi, Georgina Butler, Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel, Jonathan Gray, Marina Harss, Ann Haskins, Lily Hyde, Marta Mele, Matthew Paluch, Jann Parry, Lucía Piquero, Graham Watts, Deborah Weiss, and Lydia Wharf.

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