The Royal Ballet’s director, Kevin O’Hare, says about lockdown, I needed [the dancers] as much as they probably needed me. I think we have managed to keep the company spirit. Of course, we have missed each other, but I don’t think it’s naive to say that through it all, the Zoom classes, the Pilates, the daily updates, we’ve constantly made sure we’re all in it together. It … [Read more...] about [Interview] The Royal Ballet’s director, Kevin O’Hare, on returning to the Covent Garden stage
La fille mal gardée
Bolshoi dancer, a descendant of the Tsar’s ballerina lover, to dance in Rome
Eleonora Sevenard, the young promising new Bolshoi soloist (she danced both Phrygia and Kitri at Covent Garden during the company's latest tour) will be dancing with her boyfriend, Bolshoi principal dancer Denis Rodkin, in the Les Étoiles gala in Rome next week. In an interview to coincide with her London appearances, she told the Telegraph: I feel much calmer when I’m with … [Read more...] about Bolshoi dancer, a descendant of the Tsar’s ballerina lover, to dance in Rome
Two beautiful volumes from Amici della Scala: 80 years of costumes at La Scala and the designer Coltellacci
Vittoria Crespi Morbio, the writer of an exceptional collection of books produced by the Amici della Scala, has written monographs on important artists who have collaborated with Teatro alla Scala – some celebrated, some largely forgotten. These little gems are precious in the content but lacking in their scale. However, luckily, the Friends of La Scala sometimes bring out … [Read more...] about Two beautiful volumes from Amici della Scala: 80 years of costumes at La Scala and the designer Coltellacci
Dancing Times, August 2018 out now – including latest Danza in Italia column
The latest Dancing Times magazine is now on sale. The August 2018 issue contains my latest Danza in Italia column with thoughts on the new Le Corsaire by Anna-Marie Holmes at La Scala, with company dancers Nicoletta Manni, Timofej Andrijashenko, Martina Arduino and Mattia Semperboni. The theatre also dedicated a series of evenings to Rudolf Nureyev to mark the 80 years since he … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, August 2018 out now – including latest Danza in Italia column
Interview with The Royal Ballet’s hot couple: Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell
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 Prince, over the Christmas season, they have just debuted in Giselle. An important moment in the career of any dancer. The Guardian said that Hayward was “nothing less than exquisite” … [Read more...] about Interview with The Royal Ballet’s hot couple: Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell
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
Dame Merle Park on a ballerina’s need for rest and energy: I have six spoonfuls of sugar in my tea
Back in the days when Merle Park was a CBE — she became Dame Merle in 1986 — she left this interview with a British women’s magazine. It makes interesting, and amusing, reading almost 40 years later. Dame Merle Park will celebrate her 80th birthday on 8 October this year. At times my energy has been at a very low ebb I always have more energy in a hot climate than in a … [Read more...] about Dame Merle Park on a ballerina’s need for rest and energy: I have six spoonfuls of sugar in my tea
THE ROYAL BALLET SEASON 2016 – 2017: theatre and cinema
All the details of the 2016-2017 Ballet Season at London's Royal Opera House: skip to section: ROYAL BALLET 2016-2017 SEASON - IN BRIEF THE ROYAL OPERA 2016-2017 SEASON THE ROYAL OPERA SEASON 2016-2017 - IN FULL ROYAL BALLET 2016-2017 SEASON - IN BRIEF Four World Premieres New one-act ballet from Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor to a commissioned score by … [Read more...] about THE ROYAL BALLET SEASON 2016 – 2017: theatre and cinema
A deep vein of sincere sentiment in ‘L’elisir d’amore’ at La Scala
Tullio Pericoli’s designs for L’Elisir d’amore, currently at La Scala in Milan, recall the Osbert Lancaster sets for The Royal Ballet’s La fille mal gardée. Both men worked as illustrators for newspapers and their designs give the sensation of being inside a children’s book illustration. Franco Zeffirelli imitated the style for a production of La fille du regiment… it must be … [Read more...] about A deep vein of sincere sentiment in ‘L’elisir d’amore’ at La Scala
Natalia Osipova and Steven McRae in La Fille mal gardée in cinema
The Royal Ballet's audiences never tire of La Fille mal gardée, and seemingly neither do the cinema audiences as the ballet will be transmitted live again. On Tuesday 5 May, the world will have the opportunity of seeing not only Steven McRae (who danced with Roberta Marquez in the live broadcast in 2012), but also Natalia Osipova who will be making her role début on 23 April; … [Read more...] about Natalia Osipova and Steven McRae in La Fille mal gardée in cinema