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La Scala ballet school

Milan unveils a plaque for Carla Fracci

27 September 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Plaque for Carla Fracci

Four months after her death on 27 May 2021, Milan has remembered one of its most cherished children, the ballerina Carla Fracci, with a plaque on the building where she lived with her family from 1945 … [Read more...] about Milan unveils a plaque for Carla Fracci

Remembering Carla: ballet legend Carla Fracci dies at 84

27 May 2021 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Carla Fracci 1964 Giselle photo Erio Piccagliani crop

This is the obituary I never wanted to write, and I certainly didn’t think I’d be writing it in 2021: Carla Fracci has died at 84, someone I imagined being exceptionally spritely well into her 90s. … [Read more...] about Remembering Carla: ballet legend Carla Fracci dies at 84

Pierina Legnani – more than 32 fouettés

15 November 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Pierina Legnani, 1891

Pierina Legnani was born in Milan on 30 September 1868. She spent ten years at La Scala’s ballet school, graduating in 1888, but then continued working on her technique at the private school of … [Read more...] about Pierina Legnani – more than 32 fouettés

La Scala’s ballet school show shows bold programming, with Forsythe’s signature piece making a debut

11 March 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Présentation @ Rudy Amisano. Teatro alla Scala 2019

“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 … [Read more...] about La Scala’s ballet school show shows bold programming, with Forsythe’s signature piece making a debut

English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer finalists 2019

19 February 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Daniel McCormick performing Le Corsaire © Laurent Liotardo 3 1 2500x1514

Celebrating its tenth year, English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer competition will be held at Sadler’s Wells on Tuesday 7 May 2019. Through this event, English National Ballet recognises the … [Read more...] about English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer finalists 2019

Meeting Alice Bellini, winner of English National Ballet’s People’s Choice Award 2018

15 June 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Alice Bellini with her People's Choice Award with Daniel McCormick, Emerging Dancer 2018, and Georgia Bould with the Corps de Ballet Award

Alice Bellini, who graduated from The Royal Ballet School last year, has won this year’s People’s Choice Award at the annual Emerging Artists competition held by English National Ballet to promote its … [Read more...] about Meeting Alice Bellini, winner of English National Ballet’s People’s Choice Award 2018

La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019

30 May 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Teatro alla Scala

OPERA SEASON 2018 - 2019 La Scala announced its 2018-2019 Opera season today with 15 titles, nine of which are new productions, and two are La Scala premieres. At the heart of the season remains the … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019

Serata Nureyev – An Evening for Nureyev at La Scala: full casting with Zakharova, Bolle, Nuñez, Louvet, Muntagirov

14 May 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Nureyev at La Scala after the Le Corsaire pas de deux in 1966, photo by Erio Piccagliani, Teatro alla Scala

24*, 25, 26, 29 May 2018 Serata Nureyev – An Evening for Nureyev Remembering the 80th Anniversary of Rudolf Nureyev's birth, 25 years after his death with Corps de ballet of La Scala, Director … [Read more...] about Serata Nureyev – An Evening for Nureyev at La Scala: full casting with Zakharova, Bolle, Nuñez, Louvet, Muntagirov

La Scala ballet school’s Nutcracker in Milan is pure joy

26 December 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Nutcracker, La Scala Ballet Academy , choreography by Frédéric Olivieri, photo by Norman Rinaldi, 2015

Teatro Strehler in Milan has welcomed the young dancers from La Scala’s Ballet Academy to its stage during the Christmas period for several years. It’s a win-win situation where the theatre sells out … [Read more...] about La Scala ballet school’s Nutcracker in Milan is pure joy

La Scala dancer Jacopo Tissi joins the Bolshoi

13 September 2016 by Gramilano 14 Comments

Jacopo Tissi, the young Italian dancer who is starting to make waves, has been offered a contract with the Bolshoi Ballet Company. That’s not something that happens every day. The Moscow company, like … [Read more...] about La Scala dancer Jacopo Tissi joins the Bolshoi

Passion, Love, Life… InternationBalLET makes its debut in Italy

6 July 2016 by Gramilano 5 Comments

InternationBalLET has arrived in Italy for two performances of its programme Passion, Love, Life... The newly-formed group is made up of dancers from the Hungarian State Ballet in Budapest but, … [Read more...] about Passion, Love, Life… InternationBalLET makes its debut in Italy

Introducing Rebecca Bianchi, Rome Opera Ballet’s new Principal ballerina

3 May 2016 by Gramilano 3 Comments

At the end of The Nutcracker at Rome’s Teatro Nazionale on 20 December last year, 25-year-old Rebecca Bianchi was promoted to Principal Dancer of the Rome Opera Ballet by the theatre’s General … [Read more...] about Introducing Rebecca Bianchi, Rome Opera Ballet’s new Principal ballerina

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Ratmansky’s Sleeping Beauty in Milan casts its magic spell  

9 October 2015 by Gramilano 6 Comments

Alexei Ratmansky’s ‘reconstruction’ of The Sleeping Beauty at La Scala made for one of the most interesting and satisfying evenings that I’ve had in the theatre for a long time. It is charming, it is … [Read more...] about Ratmansky’s Sleeping Beauty in Milan casts its magic spell  

Kevin O’Hare interview: It’s an exciting time for The Royal Ballet

4 September 2015 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Kevin O’Hare – photo © Joe Plimmer

This is an exciting time for The Royal Ballet, which has been on a roll for several years with an enthusiastic public for the sold-out performances at the Royal Opera House, the extremely popular live … [Read more...] about Kevin O’Hare interview: It’s an exciting time for The Royal Ballet

Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya dies at 89

2 May 2015 by Gramilano 7 Comments

Maya Plisetskaya died of a heart attack today in Munich. She was 89. The director of the Bolshoi Ballet, Vladimir Urin, said, She died of a severe heart attack. The doctors tried everything, but … [Read more...] about Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya dies at 89

Carla Fracci’s photo album: opening night at La Scala

10 December 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

One of the most elegant evenings of the Italian cultural calendar wouldn't be complete without one of the Italian artists who symbolises elegance: Carla Fracci. The ballerina, who grew up through the … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci’s photo album: opening night at La Scala

Nicoletta Manni answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

18 November 2014 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Q&A   in italiano When did you start dancing? I started when I was tiny. Why did you start dancing? It started as a game: my mother had a dancing school and I was always asking if I … [Read more...] about Nicoletta Manni answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

An interview with Vito Mazzeo who’s bringing his ballet ‘friends’ to Italy

8 October 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dutch National Ballet principal dancer Vito Mazzeo will bring a group of his colleagues from Amsterdam to Teatro Salieri in Legnago for a 'Dutch Gala' on 22 November. Mazzeo, who was formerly a … [Read more...] about An interview with Vito Mazzeo who’s bringing his ballet ‘friends’ to Italy

More dancers decide to leave Italy… most never come back

25 July 2014 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Italy's Got Talent. Lots of it. Sometimes that talent finds it difficult to emerge - it's not always what you know but who you know - and sometimes there's not enough room for everyone to show what … [Read more...] about More dancers decide to leave Italy… most never come back

New on YouTube: Bournonville’s Napoli Divertissements with the Paris Opera Ballet, 1985

13 May 2014 by Gramilano 1 Comment

After having seen the La Scala Ballet School's 'end of year' performance of the Bournonville's Napoli Divertissements, I went digging around to find other versions to watch, and found that on YouTube … [Read more...] about New on YouTube: Bournonville’s Napoli Divertissements with the Paris Opera Ballet, 1985

From Lombardy to London: Interview with the Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti

28 April 2014 by Gramilano 3 Comments

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

Carla Fracci’s autobiography: Step After Step

22 April 2014 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Based on a long series of conversations with Enrico Rotelli, Passo dopo passo (Step After Step) is Carla Fracci telling her story in her own words. From a simple childhood during the war to the … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci’s autobiography: Step After Step

La Scala Ballet School’s director for 32 years on “Teaching Dance”

14 April 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

 versione italiana Anna Maria Prina was the director of the La Scala Theatre Ballet School for thirty-two years, producing artists such as Mara Galeazzi, Massimo Murru, Roberto Bolle, Mick Zeni, … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet School’s director for 32 years on “Teaching Dance”

Anna Maria Prina spiega l’insegnamento della danza

 English version   Insegnare è un’arte, una scienza e un dono. E’ il dono di saper lasciare il segno nella mente di chi si predispone all’apprendimento. L’insegnamento della danza non è per … [Read more...] about Anna Maria Prina spiega l’insegnamento della danza

The special woman in Roberto Bolle’s life comes forward

22 December 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Mariuccia is a very special person in Roberto Bolle’s life, but is seldom seen or talked about. The paparazzi don't photograph her, and she doesn't give interviews about her relationship with Italy’s … [Read more...] about The special woman in Roberto Bolle’s life comes forward

Alexei Ratmansky’s Opera is here to stay

18 December 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Alexei Ratmansky always manages to fascinate. His work is immersed in ballet tradition, yet is never obvious and never fails to surprise. The surprise doesn’t come from executing a familiar step in an … [Read more...] about Alexei Ratmansky’s Opera is here to stay

Roberto Bolle and working with Peter Greenaway, Bob Wilson and Fabrizio Ferri

11 July 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Roberto Bolle has been doing the publicity rounds with his two tours of ...& Friends coming up. The dance magazine Danza & Danza, recently revamped with a new look, have made him their … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle and working with Peter Greenaway, Bob Wilson and Fabrizio Ferri

Carla Fracci, Luciana Savignano and Svetlana Zakharova go to the ball

12 May 2013 by Gramilano 1 Comment

To celebrate 200th Anniversary of the formation of the Ballet School at Milan's Teatro alla Scala, the Academy, which runs the school, threw a Black and White Ball with three exceptional guests: … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci, Luciana Savignano and Svetlana Zakharova go to the ball

Vito Mazzeo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

15 January 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Q&A When did you start dan­cing? At 9 years old. Why did you start dan­cing? I saw Carla Fracci dancing. Which dan­cer inspired you most as a child? Carla Fracci and Erik Bruhn for their … [Read more...] about Vito Mazzeo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Olesia Novikova and Friedemann Vogel in Raymonda from La Scala… Live (-ish)

27 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The reconstructed ballet Raymonda, that debuted earlier this month at Milan's La Scala, will be broadcast this evening at 21.30 on Rai5 in a delayed broadcast. Whether the hour and a half difference … [Read more...] about Olesia Novikova and Friedemann Vogel in Raymonda from La Scala… Live (-ish)

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NEWS

Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Principal dancer Jared Angle to give final performance with NYCB

The Australian Ballet will tour to the Royal Opera House in August 2023

Les Étoiles – the starry Rome gala at the end of January, now with two programmes

Alexei Ratmansky joins New York City Ballet as Artist in Residence

Ballet dancer Denis Vieira dies in Cyprus at 31

Bruno Vescovo, former principal dancer with the La Scala Ballet, has died at 73

In Memoriam 2022: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors

Sergei Polunin’s Rasputin show in Milan is cancelled

FEATURED POSTS

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

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

Yasmine Naghdi in rehearsal for Tarantella, The Royal Ballet © 2017 ROH. Photograph by Bill Cooper

[Interview] The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi: a time to reflect

Renata Scotto with Maria Callas

Renata Scotto vs Maria Callas – the 1970 fight at La Scala

English National Ballet in Derek Deane's Swan Lake, photo by ASH, Arnaud Stephenson, 2013

Derek Deane on 20 years of his Swan Lake ‘in the round’

Jakub Józef Orliński

In conversation with Jakub Józef Orliński

Maurice Béjart's Gaîté parisienne with Marijn Rademaker photo by Stuttgarter Ballet

Dutch National Ballet’s Marijn Rademaker on injury and recovery

António Casalinho, photo by Nikita Alba crop

António Casalinho – Introducing the 17-year-old Portuguese Dancer

Dance injuries from the ballet dancer’s point of view: top stars share their experiences

Thomas Hampson by Jiyang Chen

Thomas Hampson answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

franco fagioli © thibault stipal, 2014

Franco Fagioli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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