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 ballet school
La Scala’s ballet school show shows bold programming, with Forsythe’s signature piece making a debut
“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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ratmansky’s Sleeping Beauty in Milan casts its magic spell
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
