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Kevin O'Hare

The Royal Ballet announces company promotions, new joiners and leavers 

6 July 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Isabella Gasparini in Woolf Works 2023 ROH. Photo by Andrej Uspenski

Director of The Royal Ballet, Kevin O'Hare, has announced the promotions, new joiners and leavers for The Royal Ballet’s 2023/24 Season.   The dancers have been on spectacular form during the … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet announces company promotions, new joiners and leavers 

Laura Morera’s farewell to Covent Garden

21 June 2023 by Jonathan Gray 2 Comments

Laura Morera after her final performance at The Royal Opera House, 17 June 2023, photo by Rob Sallnow crop

Jonathan Gray sees Laura Morera's final performance at The Royal Opera House TitleAnastasia Act IIICompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, LondonDate17 June 2023AuthorJonathan Gray It’s … [Read more...] about Laura Morera’s farewell to Covent Garden

­­­­[Interview] Designer Tom Pye on death threats, Cinderella – and cowboys

19 March 2023 by Paul Arrowsmith Leave a Comment

Tom Pye with the Cinderella Palace set at the Royal Opera House Production Workshop in Thurrock, January 2023. Photo by Andrej Uspenski

Guest author Paul Arrowsmith talks to Tom Pye, the designer of The Royal Ballet’s new production of Cinderella. Tom Pye has reimagined anew Frederick Ashton’s 75-year-old ballet Cinderella, for The … [Read more...] about ­­­­[Interview] Designer Tom Pye on death threats, Cinderella – and cowboys

[Review] The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration – the importance of the past, present, and future

17 November 2022 by Matthew Paluch 7 Comments

Marcelino Sambé and Matthew Ball in For Four 2022 ROH, photographed by Andrej Uspenski

How should the Royal Opera House celebrate 60 years of The Friends of Covent Garden? Krumping? Balanchine? Don't stress, you don't have to choose, we're getting both in the buffet that is The Royal … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration – the importance of the past, present, and future

#WorldBalletDay 2022 – the biggest-ever global celebration of dance

15 October 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

World Ballet Day 2021 Photograph by Andrej Uspenski ROH

#WorldBalletDay 2022 will be the biggest yet with over 60 companies, from 6 continents, coming together online on Wednesday 2 November 2022 to celebrate dance. The line-up of participating … [Read more...] about #WorldBalletDay 2022 – the biggest-ever global celebration of dance

Royal Ballet Principal dancer Edward Watson retires after 27 years

27 October 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Edward Watson 2

Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Edward Watson will give his final performance with the company on Saturday 30 October in Wayne McGregor’s new work, The Dante Project. “Edward Watson, the most … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet Principal dancer Edward Watson retires after 27 years

#WorldBalletDay 2021 – the global celebration of dance

2 September 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

World Ballet Day 2021

The Royal Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet and The Australian Ballet have announced that #WorldBalletDay 2021 will take place on 19 October. The global celebration returns for its eighth year, bringing … [Read more...] about #WorldBalletDay 2021 – the global celebration of dance

[Photo Album] The Royal Ballet’s “Beauty Mixed Programme”

25 June 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Mariko Sasaki and Lukas Bjørneboe Brændsrød in Anemoi, The Royal Ballet ©2021 ROH. Photograph by Alice Pennefather 2

Tomorrow, The Royal Ballet unveils a new mixed bill, the Beauty Mixed Programme. It reflects a phrase said by the company's founder Dame Ninette de Valois: Respect the past, herald the future but … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] The Royal Ballet’s “Beauty Mixed Programme”

Royal Ballet promotions 2021

18 May 2021 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Fumi Kaneko. (C) Andrej Uspenski.

On announcing The Royal Ballet's new promotions, Artistic Director Kevin O’Hare said, With our eagerly awaited return to the stage, it is wonderful to mark this moment with some celebratory … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet promotions 2021

British choreographer Liam Scarlett has died at 35

17 April 2021 by Gramilano 11 Comments

Liam Scarlett has died

Tributes to one of the most satisfying choreographers of his generation, Liam Scarlett, are flooding social media after the announcement of his death. He died on Friday 16 April at just 35. The … [Read more...] about British choreographer Liam Scarlett has died at 35

#WorldBalletDay 2020

6 October 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Yasmine Naghdi of The Royal Ballet in class during World Ballet Day 2019 (c) 2019 ROH. Photograph by Gavin Smart

World Ballet Day returns on 29 October 2020 for a global celebration to unite the dance community as it faces the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. World Ballet Day … [Read more...] about #WorldBalletDay 2020

Francesca Hayward – find out more about The Royal Ballet’s star of the movie Cats

22 December 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

05 Francesca Hayward, makeup and hair, Romeo and Juliet © Dasa Wharton

Francesca Hayward, Principal dancer of The Royal Ballet, has a leading role in the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats, directed by Academy Award winner Tom Hooper (The King’s … [Read more...] about Francesca Hayward – find out more about The Royal Ballet’s star of the movie Cats

Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique

10 December 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Coppélia with Vadim Muntagirov and Marianela Nunez, photo by Bill Cooper ROH

Everyone who has followed The Royal Ballet in rehearsal during World Ballet Day or watched the interval clips and interviews during the intervals of the company’s live cinema relays will know … [Read more...] about Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique

David Hallberg becomes Principal Guest Artist of The Royal Ballet in the 2019/2020 Season

3 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

David Hallberg as Albrecht and Natalia Osipova as Giselle in Giselle, The Royal Ballet © ROH, 2018. Photographed by Bill Cooper 2

David Hallberg will become a Principal Guest Artist of The Royal Ballet in the 2019/2020 Season. Hallberg has a long association partnering Royal Ballet Principal dancer Natalia Osipova. During … [Read more...] about David Hallberg becomes Principal Guest Artist of The Royal Ballet in the 2019/2020 Season

Photos and full programme of Margot Fonteyn, A Celebration with The Royal Ballet

9 June 2019 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Darcey Bussell, Gary Avis in Fascade, photo Andrej Uspenski ROH

Last night, 8 June 2019, The Royal Ballet celebrated the centenary of the birth of its most famous ballerina, Dame Margot Fonteyn, who was born on 18 May 1919. A performance of The Firebird, … [Read more...] about Photos and full programme of Margot Fonteyn, A Celebration with The Royal Ballet

Dancing Times, May edition – including Gramilano’s Danza in Italia column reviewing world premieres of Winterreise and Carmen

26 April 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dancing Times May 2019 Danza in Italia crop

Dancing Times’ May issue is out now, with a glorious cover featuring Margot Fonteyn – the only dancer to be given the title prima ballerina assoluta by The Royal Ballet – who was born 100 years ago on … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, May edition – including Gramilano’s Danza in Italia column reviewing world premieres of Winterreise and Carmen

La Scala’s Timofej Andrijashenko to guest as Romeo with The Royal Ballet

23 April 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Timofej Andrijashenko in Romeo and Juliet, crop

La Scala Principal Dancer Timofej Andrijashenko will dance Romeo at The Royal Opera House in London on 27 April and 4 May alongside Melissa Hamilton. The director of The Royal Ballet, Kevin O’Hare, … [Read more...] about La Scala’s Timofej Andrijashenko to guest as Romeo with The Royal Ballet

After 16 years, Thiago Soares leaves as Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet

21 January 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Thiago Soares in Rehearsal by Andrej Uspenski. ROH, 2016. 2

Thiago Soares becomes Royal Ballet guest Principal for the 2019/20 Season After 16 years with The Royal Ballet, Thiago Soares has decided to make this Season his last as a Principal dancer with the … [Read more...] about After 16 years, Thiago Soares leaves as Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet

Behind the Scenes with Marianela Nuñez: “This is where the magic begins”

10 January 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

La Bayadère. Marianela Nuñez as Nikiya. ©ROH, 2018. Photographed by Bill Cooper. (2)

“This is Covent Garden.” The recorded announcement reverberates along the platform. I always feel that this is when my ballerina day starts… It’s been 20 years that I’ve come to this station and I … [Read more...] about Behind the Scenes with Marianela Nuñez: “This is where the magic begins”

Interview: For The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi it’s “Ready, Steady, Go”!

25 November 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Yasmine Naghdi prepares for Gamzatti, photo by Dasa Wharton 15

Interview with Yasmine Naghdi as she dances in the world premiere of Alastair Marriott’s The Unknown Soldier - with photos by Dasa Wharton I last interviewed Yasmine Naghdi in September of 2015 when … [Read more...] about Interview: For The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi it’s “Ready, Steady, Go”!

Another Royal Ballet dancer joins the cast of Cats the movie – Olivia Cowley

8 November 2018 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Balanchine's Apollo with Olivia Cowley as Calliope © ROH, Dave Morgan

Kevin O'Hare faces the possibility of ever more complicated cast changes on the Covent Garden stage when filming of the adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical musical Cats begins as … [Read more...] about Another Royal Ballet dancer joins the cast of Cats the movie – Olivia Cowley

Royal Ballet Principal Steven McRae cast in Cats movie

8 November 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

The Winter's Tale. Steven McRae as Florizel. ©ROH, Johan Persson 2014

Steven McRae, Principal dancer of The Royal Ballet, is to join the cast of Universal Pictures and Working Title’s film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats, directed by Academy Award … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet Principal Steven McRae cast in Cats movie

Royal Ballet Principal Francesca Hayward to appear in film adaptation of Cats

2 November 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

All sizes Francesca Hayward in Rhapsody The Royal Ballet © 2016 ROH Photograph by Helen Maybanks

Francesca Hayward, Principal dancer of The Royal Ballet, has joined the cast of the film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats, which will be directed by Academy Award winner Tom Hooper … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet Principal Francesca Hayward to appear in film adaptation of Cats

Photo Album – 40th anniversary performances of Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling

8 October 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Mayerling - Steven McRae as Prince Rudolf © ROH, 2018

Kenneth MacMillan’s darkly dramatic masterpiece, Mayerling, opens The Royal Ballet’s 2018/19 Season. Featuring one of the most technically demanding male roles in classical ballet, Mayerling is based … [Read more...] about Photo Album – 40th anniversary performances of Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling

The Royal Ballet promotions for 2018/19 season: Matthew Ball has been promoted to Principal dancer

13 July 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Giselle. Matthew Ball as Albrecht. ©ROH, 2018. Photographed by Bill Cooper

Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, has announced that Matthew Ball has been promoted to Principal Dancer. He said, I’m delighted that Matthew Ball will be a Principal dancer from the start … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet promotions for 2018/19 season: Matthew Ball has been promoted to Principal dancer

Tributes to choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne flood in from the worlds of musicals and ballet

3 July 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Gillian Lynne Olivier Awards2013

A tweet from Peter Land on Dame Gillian Lynne’s account on Sunday evening, 1 July, announced that the beloved choreographer had died - she was 92: Rest In Peace my darling Gillie. I am heartbroken … [Read more...] about Tributes to choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne flood in from the worlds of musicals and ballet

David Hallberg explains his injury: I felt a pop in my calf, and from then on a sharp pain

5 March 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

David Hallberg as Albrecht and Natalia Osipova as Giselle in Giselle, The Royal Ballet © ROH, 2018. Photographed by Bill Cooper 2

Mid-way through the first act, taking off for a jump, I felt a pop in my calf, and from then on a sharp pain inflicted by just stepping on it. I finished the act through sheer grit of determination … [Read more...] about David Hallberg explains his injury: I felt a pop in my calf, and from then on a sharp pain

Interview with The Royal Ballet’s hot couple: Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell

16 February 2018 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Giselle with Alexander Campbell as Albrecht and Francesca Hayward as Giselle. © ROH, Helen Maybanks 2018 (3)

Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell are quickly becoming The Royal Ballet's ‘couple to see’. After recent successes dancing Clara and the Nutcracker, as well as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her … [Read more...] about Interview with The Royal Ballet’s hot couple: Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell

Cesar Corrales will join The Royal Ballet as a First Soloist at the start of the 2018/19 Season

22 December 2017 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Cesar Corrales as Ali in Le Corsaire

Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet said, Cesar approached me in October, having resigned from English National Ballet, about joining The Royal Ballet. I was happy to be in a position to be … [Read more...] about Cesar Corrales will join The Royal Ballet as a First Soloist at the start of the 2018/19 Season

Photo Album: first look at The Royal Ballet’s triple bill by Tharp, Pita and Shechter

7 November 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The Wind. Artists of The Royal Ballet. ©ROH, 2017, photo by Tristram Kenton 2

New work is as central to the repertory of The Royal Ballet as revivals of the classics. For Director of The Royal Ballet Kevin O’Hare, contemporary choreographers and dancers are ‘creating the … [Read more...] about Photo Album: first look at The Royal Ballet’s triple bill by Tharp, Pita and Shechter

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GRAMILANO

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan, aka ‘Gramilano’. 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. He wrote the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

Since 2022, Gramilano is pleased to welcome guest authors: Alisa Alekseeva, Paul Arrowsmith, Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel, Jonathan Gray, Marina Harss, Matthew Paluch, Jann Parry, Graham Watts, and Deborah Weiss.

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