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Léonide Massine

The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko

3 January 2023 by Jonathan Gray Leave a Comment

Cranko & Haydee in rehearsal ph. Andreas Heumann crop

I’ve always been interested in how some theatrical works survive the years, and some do not. Giacomo Meyerbeer, for example, was probably the most famous opera composer of the middle years of the 19th … [Read more...] about The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko

[Review] Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala shows the company in top-notch form

30 March 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

21 - Emeralds by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust photo Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

The revival of George Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala showed the company in top-notch form, finally shedding off the insecurities arising from cancelled premieres, last minutes Covid-related cast … [Read more...] about [Review] Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala shows the company in top-notch form

Luciana Novaro, Italian ballerina who danced with Massine and Lifar, dies at 98

31 May 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

1953 Luciana Novaro in Le Baiser de la fée, photo by Erio Piccagliani © Teatro alla Scala crop

Luciana Novaro, a hugely important figure in Italian ballet, died on 26 May at 98. Her passing was unfortunately overshadowed by the death several hours later of the ballerina Carla Fracci, her friend … [Read more...] about Luciana Novaro, Italian ballerina who danced with Massine and Lifar, dies at 98

Alberto Testa – Italian dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer – has died at 96

11 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Carla Fracci and Alberto Testa for the Positano Prize 2001, photo by Alessio Buccafusca

Alberto Testa was a walking encyclopedia of dance, always elegantly dressed with never a hair out of place, and was very much of another time recalling Frederick Ashton with his old-school ways. … [Read more...] about Alberto Testa – Italian dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer – has died at 96

English National Ballet’s 70th Anniversary Gala at the London Coliseum

1 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

English National Ballet company

As part of its 70th anniversary season, English National Ballet will celebrate its history with three gala performances at the London Coliseum on 17 and 18 January 2020. The gala performances … [Read more...] about English National Ballet’s 70th Anniversary Gala at the London Coliseum

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

Do you love dance? Then please read this…

4 March 2017 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Luciano Cannito

First of all, this article is about getting more people to sign a petition to raise awareness among Italy’s political class about the damage they are doing in allowing so many ballet companies to … [Read more...] about Do you love dance? Then please read this…

The first Benois-Massine prize is awarded in Moscow

9 June 2015 by Gramilano 2 Comments

The annual Benois de la danse prize-giving ceremony, one of the dance world’s most prestigious awards, was held at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow at the end of May. The prix is awarded not only to … [Read more...] about The first Benois-Massine prize is awarded in Moscow

Pos­it­ano Premia la Danza Léonide Massine winners 2014

7 September 2014 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Last night the threatening weather held off, and the gala and award ceremony for the Pos­it­ano Premia la Danza Léonide Massine on the main beach at Positano went ahead as planned. The exquisite … [Read more...] about Pos­it­ano Premia la Danza Léonide Massine winners 2014

Positano Massine Prize 2014: Ek, Laguna, Smirnova and Wheeldon honoured

1 September 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The attraction that Positano and its seascape have always exercised over artists of the dance is the reason that, on 2 August 1969, the Premio Positano was established. Ten years later, on the death … [Read more...] about Positano Massine Prize 2014: Ek, Laguna, Smirnova and Wheeldon honoured

Boris Bilinsky: costume and set designer for ballet, opera and film and legendary graphic artist

6 December 2012 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Boris Bilinsky was born in Odessa in 1900, but left Russia in 1920, escaping from the aftermath of the Revolution. He settled in Berlin where he was still able to collaborate with Russian theatres, … [Read more...] about Boris Bilinsky: costume and set designer for ballet, opera and film and legendary graphic artist

Igor Yebra answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

17 October 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Q&A When did you start dancing? When I was 13 years old. Why did you start dancing? Because I liked it and in my house it was something normal to see ballet; although first I wanted to be a … [Read more...] about Igor Yebra answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

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

When artistic disciplines collide, dance often takes a back seat.

11 April 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Debra Craine in today's Times comments on the new collaboration between the National Gallery and the Royal Ballet: The idea of artists and choreographers collaborating isn’t new. Pablo Picasso worked … [Read more...] about When artistic disciplines collide, dance often takes a back seat.

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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

FEATURED POSTS

The Tricks of the Trocks: powder, ice and pointe shoes

Gregory Kunde as Otello, photo by Matthias Baus, Teatro alla Scala 2015

Top opera singers discuss how they choose and prepare new roles

Francesco Gabriele Frola. Photo By Karolina Kuras, 2016 01

Meet Francesco Gabriele Frola — National Ballet of Canada and English National Ballet’s new Principal Dancer

Vadim Muntagirov answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?

franco fagioli © thibault stipal, 2014

Franco Fagioli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov in cover art for the Romanza album

Interview with Anna Netrebko on her son, his autism and his abandonment by his father Erwin Schrott

Joyce DiDonato answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Romeo and Juliet with Sergei Polunin

Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up

Lauren Cuthbertson by Clive Barda

Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson – so much passion

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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