“That’s brave!”, was my first thought on seeing the La Scala Ballet School’s programme for its annual show: The Kingdom of the Shades act from La Bayadère together with In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated. And in Milan’s famous opera house too.It was a brave choice, but not an ill-considered one. The girls of the school seem to be more prepared or gifted than the (numerous) … [Read more...] about La Scala’s ballet school show shows bold programming, with Forsythe’s signature piece making a debut
La Bayadère
Behind the Scenes with Marianela Nuñez: “This is where the magic begins”
“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 just feel that this is where the magic begins, believe it or not — Covent Garden tube station.This is the opening of a delightful 30-minute BBC Radio 4 programme Behind the Scenes … [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”!
Interview with Yasmine Naghdi as she dances in the world premiere of Alastair Marriott’s The Unknown Soldier - with photos by Dasa WhartonI last interviewed Yasmine Naghdi in September of 2015 when she and Matthew Ball were preparing to dance Romeo and Juliet together. They were dancing the roles for the first time — she was a Soloist and he a First Artist.Time passes … [Read more...] about Interview: For The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi it’s “Ready, Steady, Go”!
Photo Album: La Bayadère with The Royal Ballet – first night with Nuñez, Osipova and Muntagirov
Here are the first photos from the dress rehearsal of tonight's opening cast at The Royal Opera House of Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère.Solor is danced by Vadim Muntagirov, Gamzatti by Natalia Osipova, and Marianela Nuñez is Nikiya. This is also the cast that will be dancing when the ballet is transmitted live in cinemas on 13 November 2018.An iconic 19th-century Russian … [Read more...] about Photo Album: La Bayadère with The Royal Ballet – first night with Nuñez, Osipova and Muntagirov
Danza in Italia column returns in the latest issue of Dancing Times
The latest issue of Dancing Times magazine, November 2018, is being shipped to newstands as I write.The new Danza in Italia column looks at Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote at Teatro alla Scala, with important debut performances from Timofej Andrijashenko, Martina Arduino and Marco Agostino, and with Nicoletta Manni returning as Kitri; Jacopo Tissi comes home to dance again on La … [Read more...] about Danza in Italia column returns in the latest issue of Dancing Times
The impeccable Bolshoi dancers in Maillot’s slick Taming of the Shrew at La Scala
Lots of empty seats were available for the Bolshoi Ballet at La Scala in The Taming of the Shrew. La Bayadère – great; Swan Lake – ooh yes; Giselle – lovely; Taming of the Shrew? – err.Word of mouth did its bit after the opening night, but with just three consecutive performances there wasn’t enough time to have a sold-out notice on the poster, but ‘sold out’ is what it … [Read more...] about The impeccable Bolshoi dancers in Maillot’s slick Taming of the Shrew at La Scala
Review: Three casts for La Bayadère with the Bolshoi at La Scala
How secretly gratifying it is when wine experts trip up, rating High Street plonk higher than the Premier cru. Ballet music could benefit from unlabelled listening. Minkus is routinely pooh-poohed, yet how many superb, theatrical moments he creates for La Bayadère — sublime, exhilarating, haunting, joyous.If interval chatter isn’t focussed on complaining about the music, it’s … [Read more...] about Review: Three casts for La Bayadère with the Bolshoi at La Scala
Photo Album and full casting – Bolshoi dancers in Milan
After an 11-year absence, the Bolshoi Ballet returns to Milan.In 2007, the company came with La Fille du Pharaon and The Bright Stream. From 7 to 13 September they will be at La Scala with La Bayadère in the Grigorovich production, and Jean-Christophe Maillot’s The Taming of the Shrew.Svetlana Zakharova and Denis Rodkin, Olga Smirnova and Semyon Chudin, and Alyona Kovalyova … [Read more...] about Photo Album and full casting – Bolshoi dancers in Milan
Photo Album: Nureyev Gala at La Scala – Zakharova, Louvet, Nuñez, Muntagirov and Bolle (and Nureyev at La Scala facts and figures)
Last night a Gala to celebrate Rudolf Nureyev was had at La Scala. It is the 80th Anniversary of his birth and also 25 years after his death. The Gala was previewed by a benefit audience on Thursday, and opened Friday 25 May, with further performances on 26 and 29 May. La Scala's Étoiles Svetlana Zakharova and Roberto Bolle were joined by guests Marianela Nuñez, Germain Louvet, … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Nureyev Gala at La Scala – Zakharova, Louvet, Nuñez, Muntagirov and Bolle (and Nureyev at La Scala facts and figures)
Prix de Lausanne Prize Winners 2018 and photos
A large audience attended the Prix de Lausanne Finals today, both at the Théâtre de Beaulieu and online.8 young dancers were awarded a scholarship allowing them to enter one of the 72 partner schools or companies of the Prix de Lausanne. Non-awarded candidates can take part in the Networking Forum tomorrow and have the opportunity to be chosen by Directors of the partner … [Read more...] about Prix de Lausanne Prize Winners 2018 and photos