The lucky ballet students of Milan’s academy at La Scala get to perform five shows on one of Milan’s most famous stages – the Teatro Strehler, named after the great director who established the famed … [Read more...] about [Review] Balthus Variations and other delights in La Scala’s Ballet School show
La fille mal gardée
[Interview] The authentic and passionate Laura Morera – a career without limits
After 27 years with The Royal Ballet, Laura Morera's final performance at the Royal Opera House is on 17 June in Kenneth MacMillan’s Anastasia Act III. She dances on the company’s visit to … [Read more...] about [Interview] The authentic and passionate Laura Morera – a career without limits
[Review] La fille mal gardée – an impressive performance at La Scala
When is a ‘saggio’ not a ‘saggio’? When it is La Scala Ballet School’s ‘end of term’ show. Well, mid-April is hardly the end of the school year, and a fully costumed production, with sets, … [Read more...] about [Review] La fille mal gardée – an impressive performance at La Scala
The Dancing Times on when a dance critic is a critic no longer
The following is a delightful extract from the ‘comment’ section of The Dancing Times from April 1960 on an incident at the premiere of Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal Gardée on 28 January 1960 at The … [Read more...] about The Dancing Times on when a dance critic is a critic no longer
[Review] The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration – the importance of the past, present, and future
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
Royal Opera House Stream goes live with 130 titles
The Royal Opera House has launched a streaming service that offers 45 performances from The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera’s archives. Together with these are also 85 behind-the-scenes features, … [Read more...] about Royal Opera House Stream goes live with 130 titles
Rome Opera Ballet – Season 2022-2023
The new ballet season of the Teatro dell'Opera in Roma has been announced by the company's director, Eleonora Abbagnato. Don Quixote by Laurent Hilaire Rome Opera Ballet opens its season with … [Read more...] about Rome Opera Ballet – Season 2022-2023
Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star
It’s full steam ahead for The Royal Ballet’s Anna Rose O’Sullivan. Last year she was promoted to the rank of principal dancer with the company, in January of this year she made her debut as the Sugar … [Read more...] about Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star
[Interview] The Royal Ballet’s director, Kevin O’Hare, on returning to the Covent Garden stage
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 … [Read more...] about [Interview] The Royal Ballet’s director, Kevin O’Hare, on returning to the Covent Garden stage
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 … [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 – … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...] about Natalia Osipova and Steven McRae in La Fille mal gardée in cinema
Casting for Royal Ballet triple bill in March and La fille mal gardée in April
THE FOUR TEMPERAMENTS / NEW HOFESH SHECHTER / SONG OF THE EARTH George Balanchine / NEW Hofesh Shechter / Kenneth MacMillan Music: Paul Hindemith / Koen Kessels / Gustav Mahler 27, 30 March, 8, 10, … [Read more...] about Casting for Royal Ballet triple bill in March and La fille mal gardée in April
The Royal Ballet celebrates founding choreographer Frederick Ashton
From 18 October until 12 November The Royal Ballet will present a glorious mixed programme of four of Frederick Ashton’s finest ballets, celebrating not only his vast and impressive body of work but … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet celebrates founding choreographer Frederick Ashton
Introducing… Brandon Lawrence, Birmingham Royal Ballet
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started dancing at 8 years old and then I joined the Royal Ballet School full time at 14 Why did you start dancing? I’m not sure why… I was probably … [Read more...] about Introducing… Brandon Lawrence, Birmingham Royal Ballet
From Lombardy to London: Interview with the Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti
Italian dancer Valentino Zucchetti is one of a large number of Italian dancers who go abroad to find work and realise their dreams. Italy has few ballet companies, and La Scala is the only one with … [Read more...] about From Lombardy to London: Interview with the Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti
Tsiskaridze: Real ballet dancers are trained in Paris, Moscow or St Petersburg
Forget the Royal Ballet School or the The School of American Ballet, Nikolai Tsiskaridze says there are only three real ballet schools in the world: the Paris Opera Ballet School, the Bolshoi Ballet … [Read more...] about Tsiskaridze: Real ballet dancers are trained in Paris, Moscow or St Petersburg
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?
Ashton takes the ribbon theme to extreme: Birmingham Royal Ballet with La Fille in London
The Birmingham Royal Ballet are at London's Sadler's Wells this week with two programmes. The triple bill, which kicked off the mini-season last night, consists of Checkmate, Symphonic Variations … [Read more...] about Ashton takes the ribbon theme to extreme: Birmingham Royal Ballet with La Fille in London
Narrative ballets and an American tour for the Paris Opera Ballet in 2011-12
The Paris Opera Ballet have announced their 2011-2012 season. It's good to see Ashton's "La Fille mal Gardée" again in the programming - let's hope it will be broadcast this time round. Narrative … [Read more...] about Narrative ballets and an American tour for the Paris Opera Ballet in 2011-12
National Ballet of Canada announces it’s 60th anniversary season: 2011-2012
The National Ballet of Canada’s 2011-12 season, which celebrates the company’s 60th anniversary, is full of surprises. Not only are the production choices unusual, but the time-honoured format of one … [Read more...] about National Ballet of Canada announces it’s 60th anniversary season: 2011-2012
