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Gramilano

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Leonid Sarafanov

Rome Opera Ballet announces 2019-2020 season

19 June 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Swan Lake © Yasuko Kageyama with Susanna Salvi and Germain Louvet

Five different programmes make up Rome Opera Ballet’s new season, 2019-2020. Benjamin Pech’s successful Swan Lake will be remounted to open the season. This will be followed by an evening dedicated … [Read more...] about Rome Opera Ballet announces 2019-2020 season

Les Étoiles in Rome – Nuñez, Muntagirov, Novikova, Sarafanov, Alexandrova, Lantratov, Semionova…

14 February 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Marianela Nuñez and Vadim Muntagirov, Sylvia, photo by Graham Spicer

Les Étoiles in Rome - Marianela Nuñez, Vadim Muntagirov, Olesya Novikova, Leonid Sarafanov, Maria Alexandrova, Vladislav Lantratov, Polina Semionova, Dmitry Semionov, Tatiana Melnik, Bakhtiyar … [Read more...] about Les Étoiles in Rome – Nuñez, Muntagirov, Novikova, Sarafanov, Alexandrova, Lantratov, Semionova…

Antipasto to the annual Les Étoiles gala in Rome with Russian and Italian ballet stars

25 January 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

photo Ripari Young Group

As an antipasto to the annual Les Étoiles gala in Rome — this year a sold out two days, next year there will be three — in the luxurious setting of the Hotel de Russie near the Spanish Steps, there … [Read more...] about Antipasto to the annual Les Étoiles gala in Rome with Russian and Italian ballet stars

The world’s ballet Étoiles army arrives in Rome, conquering with its art

7 January 2019 by Gramilano 3 Comments

La Bayadère by Alexei Ratmansky withPolina Semionova, photo by Yan Revazov, Staatsballett Berlin

It’s become an annual event in Rome – after the Christmas holidays and the last bite of panettone, comes the Daniele Cipriani Entertainment dance gala with some of the best and biggest names in ballet … [Read more...] about The world’s ballet Étoiles army arrives in Rome, conquering with its art

Illustrated look at La Scala’s visit to Australia with Don Quixote and Giselle

3 November 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Don Quixote Nicoletta Manni and Leonid Sarafanov, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 01

After almost a month touring China, La Scala’s ballet company popped back to Milan for a run of Manon performances, before popping off to Australia for thirteen performances in Brisbane, from 7 to 18 … [Read more...] about Illustrated look at La Scala’s visit to Australia with Don Quixote and Giselle

Don Quixote shows off first-rate dancing by La Scala’s clutch of 20-somethings

17 July 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

02   Don Quixote with Nicoletta Manni, Timofej Andrijashenko © Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2018

Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote is a romp. From start to finish it zips along at a frenetic pace, with frenetic steps. That is, except the prologue — Don Quixote’s house — and a prolonged mime scene in … [Read more...] about Don Quixote shows off first-rate dancing by La Scala’s clutch of 20-somethings

Julian MacKay – the teenage American ballet dancer making waves in Russia

6 January 2017 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Julian MacKay as photohraphed by NYC Dance Project

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

La Scala’s orchestra, chorus and ballet company embark on a month-long tour

28 August 2016 by Gramilano 2 Comments

La Scala’s orchestra, chorus and ballet company have flown out of Milan for a month on tour which will see them in Korea, China, Japan and Russia. Tomorrow night at the Lotte Hall in Seoul, … [Read more...] about La Scala’s orchestra, chorus and ballet company embark on a month-long tour

18-year-old Vincenzo di Primo on winning at Lausanne and studying at the Vienna Ballet Academy

4 April 2016 by Gramilano 4 Comments

18-year-old Vincenzo di Primo was one of the seven winners at the annual Prix de Lausanne, taking away the Albert Amon Foundation scholarship which will give him the opportunity to train for a year at … [Read more...] about 18-year-old Vincenzo di Primo on winning at Lausanne and studying at the Vienna Ballet Academy

My Big Fat Italian Ballet Gala

3 November 2015 by Gramilano 15 Comments

The Gala des Étoiles at La Scala made me feel as though I’d eaten all the icing on the cake: happy, but a little woozy. Don Q? Check! Corsaire? Check! Manon and Romeo and Juliet? Check! Spartacus? … [Read more...] about My Big Fat Italian Ballet Gala

Full programme of la Scala’s Gala des Étoiles – 30 and 31 October

27 October 2015 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Below is the full programme of Gala des Étoiles, at La Scala on 30 and 31 October. The Gala will be transmitted live by Italian television, Rai, on Rai5, and in cinemas internationally both live and … [Read more...] about Full programme of la Scala’s Gala des Étoiles – 30 and 31 October

Ballet’s biggest names come to Milan for 4 days of dance

18 October 2015 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Milan is not like London or New York… there’s not a lot of dance going on. The resident company at La Scala will be performing six titles during the coming season. That’s S-I-X. And there will not be … [Read more...] about Ballet’s biggest names come to Milan for 4 days of dance

Paul Seaquist, ballet impresario: thinking outside the box

18 January 2015 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Paul Seaquist is a ballet impresario, which conjures up an image of a Diaghilev figure with a fur-collared coat and silver-topped cane. However, Seaquist is quite different physically: a recent … [Read more...] about Paul Seaquist, ballet impresario: thinking outside the box

Svetlana Zakharova’s Gala brings the Ukraine to the heart of Russia

8 December 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Last night, Svetlana Zakharova's Gala Ballet without Borders took place on the Bolshoi stage in Moscow. Ballet stars danced in support of young dancers in war-torn Ukraine. This politically sensitive … [Read more...] about Svetlana Zakharova’s Gala brings the Ukraine to the heart of Russia

Thoughts on Marianela Núñez’s life-affirming performance in Romeo and Juliet

22 October 2014 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Marianela Nunez and Gabriele Corrado

Marianela Núñez is an extraordinary dancer who seems to possess an inner light which not only makes her glow, but illuminates everyone around her. There is a pure, almost spiritual quality to her … [Read more...] about Thoughts on Marianela Núñez’s life-affirming performance in Romeo and Juliet

What a mess: Italian tv tries to film Don Quixote

3 October 2014 by Gramilano 9 Comments

What an opportunity: two of the best dancers in the world - Natalia Osipova and Leonid Sarafanov - in one of Rudolph Nureyev's most successful choreographic works, and with a company at the top of … [Read more...] about What a mess: Italian tv tries to film Don Quixote

Nicoletta Manni’s a fine Kitri in a fine company

23 September 2014 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Well it's an ill wind... Natalia Osipova's last minute cancellation as Kitri at La Scala left the way open for Nicoletta Manni, newly appointed principal dancer with the company, to show the … [Read more...] about Nicoletta Manni’s a fine Kitri in a fine company

La Scala’s Don Q disaster – all four guest dancers pull out

22 September 2014 by Gramilano 15 Comments

Could it be that Rudolph Nureyev's Carabosse is getting her revenge as his production of Sleeping Beauty is being dropped next season to be replaced by a version by Alexei Ratmansky? … [Read more...] about La Scala’s Don Q disaster – all four guest dancers pull out

Ivan Vasiliev writes from his hospital bed

15 September 2014 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Ivan Vasiliev has been forced to pull out of the Don Quixote performances at La Scala with Tamara Rojo. The casting has already suffered some upsets as The Vasiliev-Osipova coupling was to share … [Read more...] about Ivan Vasiliev writes from his hospital bed

Partner-swapping at La Scala: Osipova/Sarafanov, Rojo/Vasiliev – Zakharova/Matvienko out

6 July 2014 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Intriguing casting changes at La Scala. In September, Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote was to have have four guest artists: Svetlana Zakharova paired with Denis Matvienko and Natalia Osipova with Ivan … [Read more...] about Partner-swapping at La Scala: Osipova/Sarafanov, Rojo/Vasiliev – Zakharova/Matvienko out

Osipova is missing Hallberg, but hopes to return to the Bolshoi

26 June 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The applause that greeted Natalia Osipova's return to the Bolshoi stage was enthusiastic. Laura Cappelle wrote in her Financial Times review: The tour marks the Russian superstar’s first … [Read more...] about Osipova is missing Hallberg, but hopes to return to the Bolshoi

Le Spectre de rose and La rose malade at La Scala

27 January 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

As an antipasto before the one act opera Cavalleria Rusticana, La Scala put on two related ballets - though unrelated to the opera - which fitted neatly together. Two ten-minute gems: Michel … [Read more...] about Le Spectre de rose and La rose malade at La Scala

The Kings of Dance have a Queen: Svetlana Lunkina

11 September 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Kings of Dance will come to London with their newly crowned queen, Svetlana Lunkina. Roberto Bolle and Ivan Vasiliev will perform Roland Petit's Le Jeune Homme et la Mort, with ex-Bolshoi star … [Read more...] about The Kings of Dance have a Queen: Svetlana Lunkina

Hallberg débuts at La Scala, with Núñez, Zakharova, Osipova, Bolle and Vasiliev

24 May 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Svetlana Zakharova at the Black and White Ball, Milan, 2013

Good news for dance at La Scala. Cutting down on the budget has meant axing three opera productions, but opera's loss is ballet's gain, for the 'cheaper' ballet performances have been bumped up from … [Read more...] about Hallberg débuts at La Scala, with Núñez, Zakharova, Osipova, Bolle and Vasiliev

“Who’s pulling the strings in Russia’s ballet revolution?” asks The Observer’s Luke Jennings

1 January 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The ballet world was surprised when Nacho Duato (ex-director of Spain's Compañía Nacional de Danza) was headhunted by St Petersburg's Mikhailovsky Theatre, maybe enticed by the fat wallet of general … [Read more...] about “Who’s pulling the strings in Russia’s ballet revolution?” asks The Observer’s Luke Jennings

Mikhailovsky Theatre says Vasiliev and Osipova won’t be allowed to perform at the Bolshoi if it makes accusations against their theatre

17 November 2011 by Gramilano 1 Comment

The Bolshoi Theatre told reporters today that Ivan Vasiliev and Natalia Osipova's decision to leave the company and join the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St Petersburg was not helping their last minute … [Read more...] about Mikhailovsky Theatre says Vasiliev and Osipova won’t be allowed to perform at the Bolshoi if it makes accusations against their theatre

Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev leave Bolshoi to team up with Sarafanov and Duato at the Mikhailovsky Theatre

14 November 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev have decided to leave their home theatre and move to the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St Petersburg. Mariinsky star Leonid Sarafanov made the move in January 2011. … [Read more...] about Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev leave Bolshoi to team up with Sarafanov and Duato at the Mikhailovsky Theatre

Grand Gala at the Kremlin with stars from Hamburg, Stuttgart, Bolshoi, Mariinsky, Mikhailovsky and Béjart companies

31 August 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Stars from the Hamburg Ballet are heading to Moscow for a Kremlin Gala show on September 17 and 18. Soloists will perform various pieces by John Neumeier, the artistic director of the Hamburg Ballet, … [Read more...] about Grand Gala at the Kremlin with stars from Hamburg, Stuttgart, Bolshoi, Mariinsky, Mikhailovsky and Béjart companies

Ballet Twitter pics

25 May 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Smartphone photos linked onto a tweet are a great way to let Twitter followers get a glimpse of where you are and what you're up to. Everyone's at it from Hollywood stars to football louts. Ballet … [Read more...] about Ballet Twitter pics

Leonid Sarafanov and Olesia Novikova are the true stars at La Scala’s Gala des Étoiles

28 April 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The greatest applause during last night's gala at La Scala was reserved for Leonid Sarafanov and Olesya Novikova in the Tchaikovsky Pas de deux. As the applause faded a voice called out "these are … [Read more...] about Leonid Sarafanov and Olesia Novikova are the true stars at La Scala’s Gala des Étoiles

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NEWS

New York City Ballet 2023 Spring Season is announced

Principal Brandon Lawrence to leave Birmingham Royal Ballet to join Ballett Zürich

Two new opera recordings to be released by Warner Classics/Erato

Four new Principal dancers for New York City Ballet

LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live

Royal Ballet principal dancer Laura Morera to retire

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

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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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