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