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
La Sylphide
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, … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Nureyev Gala at La Scala – Zakharova, Louvet, Nuñez, Muntagirov and Bolle (and Nureyev at La Scala facts and figures)
Finalists of English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer competition at the London Coliseum in June
On Monday 11 June 2018, English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer competition will be held at the London Coliseum for the first time. Emerging Dancer is a key part of English National Ballet’s … [Read more...] about Finalists of English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer competition at the London Coliseum in June
Photo Album: English National Ballet dances Song of the Earth and La Sylphide
Dasa Wharton took her camera to the London Coliseum to capture the English National Ballet's latest double bill: Song of the Earth and La Sylphide Song of the Earth Choreography – Kenneth … [Read more...] about Photo Album: English National Ballet dances Song of the Earth and La Sylphide
Rudolf Nureyev died 25 years ago – La Scala pays tribute to the great dancer
Rudolf Nureyev’s debut at La Scala was on 9 October 1965 when, finally, the Milanese public had the opportunity to see the Russian dancer that all the newspapers were writing about. With him was … [Read more...] about Rudolf Nureyev died 25 years ago – La Scala pays tribute to the great dancer
English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer 2017 – judging panel and repertoire
Now in its eighth year, English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer competition will this year be held at Sadler’s Wells, for the first time, on Thursday 25 May 2017. Through this annual event, … [Read more...] about English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer 2017 – judging panel and repertoire
Julian MacKay – the teenage American ballet dancer making waves in Russia
Julian MacKay at 16 was winning medals at the Sochi and Istanbul competitions when he represented his school, the Bolshoi Academy. At 17 he won the Prix de Lausanne and his Harlequin Floors … [Read more...] about Julian MacKay – the teenage American ballet dancer making waves in Russia
Carla Fracci gives her first ever masterclass… Giselle
After years of refusing offers from all over the world to share her intimate knowledge of the characters she has portrayed, Carla Fracci has agreed to give her first masterclass. The Ecole Superieure … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci gives her first ever masterclass… Giselle
A good, old-fashioned gala? Pignotti salutes Nureyev
Luigi Pignotti was Rudolf Nureyev’s massager then manager. He now has a company which produces evenings of ballet, flamenco and tango… though not together. It was, maybe, obvious that he would … [Read more...] about A good, old-fashioned gala? Pignotti salutes Nureyev
Royal Danish Ballet dancers celebrate Bournonville in London
As a cure for the post Christmas blues - or to help celebrate that the festivities are over, depending on your point of view - principals and soloists from The Royal Danish Ballet alight at London's … [Read more...] about Royal Danish Ballet dancers celebrate Bournonville in London
Royal Danish Ballet break tradition with homoerotic La Sylphide
Nikolaj Hübbe seems to be intent on upsetting some of the Royal Danish Ballet's most faithful admirers with his new version of the Royal Danish Ballet's almost sacred La Sylphide. The company have … [Read more...] about Royal Danish Ballet break tradition with homoerotic La Sylphide
Paolo Bortoluzzi: a great Italian dancer remembered
Italian ballet dancer Paolo Bortoluzzi died twenty years ago today: 15 October 1993. He died the same year as Rudolf Nureyev, and it was for these two contemporaries that Béjart created his Chant du … [Read more...] about Paolo Bortoluzzi: a great Italian dancer remembered
Who’s afraid of Brigitte Lefèvre? Well Eleonora Abbagnato for one! Drama at the Paris Opera Ballet
Brigitte Lefèvre, Director of Ballet at the Paris Opera since 1995, will turn 68 later this year. The Paris Opera Ballet obliges ballerinas to leave at 42 with their pension; like it or not, ètoile or … [Read more...] about Who’s afraid of Brigitte Lefèvre? Well Eleonora Abbagnato for one! Drama at the Paris Opera Ballet
Carla Fracci with Schaufuss, Vasiliev, Cragun, Jude and others on YouTube
In 1987 a two-part television programme called The Ballerinas featured Carla Fracci, with some of the top male dancers of the period, in a series of reconstructions putting various ballets … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci with Schaufuss, Vasiliev, Cragun, Jude and others on YouTube
Bolshoi prima ballerina Marianna Ryzhkina adds her voice to the chorus of disapproval
Things still are not as they should be at the shiny new Bolshoi, says Reuters. Back stage, dancers grumble that practice rooms have become cramped and the Bolshoi has lost the charm that can only … [Read more...] about Bolshoi prima ballerina Marianna Ryzhkina adds her voice to the chorus of disapproval
Paul Chalmer answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? Age 6, then National Ballet School, Toronto, age 9. Why did you start dancing? Saw ballet on TV. Which dancer inspired you most as a … [Read more...] about Paul Chalmer answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Critics round-up: Mariinsky at Covent Garden, Scotch Symphony / Ballet Imperial / In The Night
The fourth Mariinsky programme to grace the Royal Opera stage was another triple bill: Scotch Symphony and Ballet Imperial by George Balanchine, and In The Night by Jerome Robbins. Although this was … [Read more...] about Critics round-up: Mariinsky at Covent Garden, Scotch Symphony / Ballet Imperial / In The Night
