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Lynn Seymour

Remembering Lynn Seymour, by her best friend

26 May 2023 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Naomi Sorkin with Lynn Seymour

Lynn Seymour died on 7 March 2023 at the age of 83. Kenneth MacMillan created several works on her and said, “Lynn Seymour has a wonderfully expressive body, great musicality and independence.” The … [Read more...] about Remembering Lynn Seymour, by her best friend

Tributes to the great ballerina Lynn Seymour who has died at 83

9 March 2023 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Lynn Seymour as Juliet, 1965 crop

8 March 1939 – 7 March 2023 Lynn Seymour died on 7 March 2023 at the age of 83. The Royal Ballet announced: “The Royal Ballet is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Lynn Seymour on 7 March on … [Read more...] about Tributes to the great ballerina Lynn Seymour who has died at 83

[Review] Mayerling in London and Paris on 30th anniversary of MacMillan’s death

31 October 2022 by Jonathan Gray 5 Comments

Vadim Muntagirov and Fumi Kaneko in Mayerling, photo by Andrej Uspenski, ROH 2022

Guest author Jonathan Gray looks at Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling in London and Paris TitleMayerlingCompanyThe Royal Ballet / Paris Opéra BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, London / Palais Garnier, … [Read more...] about [Review] Mayerling in London and Paris on 30th anniversary of MacMillan’s death

How MacMillan shapes Rudolf’s women – The Royal Ballet in Mayerling

10 October 2022 by Matthew Paluch Leave a Comment

Natalia Osipova as Mary Vetsera and Ryoichi Hirano as Crown Prince Rudolf in Mayerling c 2018 ROH. Photograph by Helen Maybanks 2

Guest author Matthew Paluch watches The Royal Ballet in Mayerling and ponders on how the six main female characters shape Crown Prince Rudolf and his demise. People always complain that ballet … [Read more...] about How MacMillan shapes Rudolf’s women – The Royal Ballet in Mayerling

The Royal Ballet’s Mayerling in 1978, and now live in cinemas

28 September 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Natalia Osipova as Mary Vetsera and Ryoichi Hirano as Crown Prince Rudolf in Mayerling c 2018 ROH. Photograph by Helen Maybanks 1

The Royal Ballet opens its 2022-2023 cinema season with Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling, marking 30 years since the choreographer’s death in 1992. It will be broadcast on opening night, Wednesday 5 … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet’s Mayerling in 1978, and now live in cinemas

Rudolf Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a starry celebration in London

18 August 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Merle Park and Rudolf Nureyev in rehearsal for Flower Festival in Genzano, photo by Francette Levieux

Rudolf Nureyev’s life and career will be celebrated in London with five performances at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which is where Nureyev made his London debut. Former Royal Ballet principal … [Read more...] about Rudolf Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a starry celebration in London

[Photo Album] First photos of The Royal Ballet’s Ashton Triple Bill

23 April 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Sarah Lamb and Vadim Muntagirov in Scenes de ballet photo by Helen Maybanks ROH

Tonight, Saturday 23 April, The Royal Opera House curtain goes up on a triple bill of ballets by Frederick Ashton: Scènes de ballet, A Month in the Country, and Rhapsody. Frederick Ashton, The … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] First photos of The Royal Ballet’s Ashton Triple Bill

Countdown to Bayadère – casting and designs for La Scala’s opening

19 November 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Costume design by Luisa Spinatelli (1)

La Bayadère, one of the key ballets in the classical repertoire, premiered in St Petersburg in 1877. Marius Petipa created a perfect harmony between mass scenes and protagonists, and it was the … [Read more...] about Countdown to Bayadère – casting and designs for La Scala’s opening

Darcey Bussell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

23 May 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Darcey Bussell Dances Hollywood

Q&A When did you start dancing? At 5, in the Mercury Theatre behind where I lived in Notting Hill. Ballet Rambert used to use the studios as well. Why did you start dancing? I had knocked … [Read more...] about Darcey Bussell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Free reading from Dancing Times – the complete archive is available from 2000

1 April 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dancing Times

Dancing Times has opened up the last 20 years of its archives to all until 7 April. The monthly magazine has its think pieces, reviews, articles about technique, dance’s past and present, but I … [Read more...] about Free reading from Dancing Times – the complete archive is available from 2000

Photo Album: preview of tonight’s opening cast of Manon with Francesca Hayward and Federico Bonelli

29 March 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Manon with Francesca Hayward as Manon and Federico Bonelli as Des Grieux ©ROH, 2018, photo by Bill Cooper (2)

Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon is revived at Covent Garden as part of continuing celebrations of MacMillan’s profound impact on British ballet, to mark the 25th anniversary of his death. Tonight's opening … [Read more...] about Photo Album: preview of tonight’s opening cast of Manon with Francesca Hayward and Federico Bonelli

Exclusive photo from Royal Opera House archives to remember Kenneth MacMillan

29 October 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Rite of Spring Rehearsal with Monica Mason, Kenneth MacMillan, Simon Rice, Fiona Chadwick. ©ROH, 1987. Photo by Neil Libbert

Kenneth MacMillan died of a heart attack on 29 October 1992. It happened during a performance of his 1978 ballet Mayerling. Jeremy Isaacs, then general director of the Royal Opera House, announced his … [Read more...] about Exclusive photo from Royal Opera House archives to remember Kenneth MacMillan

Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Merle Park in 1979: Green Park, Hyde Park or Merle Park?

22 August 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Merle Park in The Firebird   photo by Roy Round

Merle Park, the engine driver’s daughter from Rhodesia (modern Zimbabwe), ended up being one of The Royal Ballet’s brightest stars. She says that she first realised she’d become famous when she heard … [Read more...] about Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Merle Park in 1979: Green Park, Hyde Park or Merle Park?

Natalia Osipova is Anastasia – a photo gallery with The Royal Ballet

27 October 2016 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Anastasia. Natalia Osipova as Anna Anderson. © ROH, 2016 Photographed by Tristram Kenton (2)

Last night the curtain at The Royal Opera House went up on Kenneth MacMillan's Anastasia, with Natalia Osipova in the title role. One of MacMillan’s first creative acts on becoming Director of The … [Read more...] about Natalia Osipova is Anastasia – a photo gallery with The Royal Ballet

50th Anniversary of MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet

30 July 2015 by Gramilano 3 Comments

The Royal Ballet 2015/16 Season opens this September with the return of Kenneth MacMillan’s landmark Romeo and Juliet, celebrating 50 years since its première at the Royal Opera House in 1965. It will … [Read more...] about 50th Anniversary of MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet

Royal Ballet Season 2015 – 2016 with 4 World Premières

15 April 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Four World Premières feature in the line-up for the Royal Ballet's 2015 - 2016 Season and, for the first time, all three of The Royal Ballet's associated choreographers present new works for the main … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet Season 2015 – 2016 with 4 World Premières

Francesca Hayward answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

3 January 2015 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Q&A When did you start dancing? When I was 3 years old. My grandparents didn't know how to keep me occupied so they bought a video of The Nutcracker on a whim and that was it, I was happy … [Read more...] about Francesca Hayward answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

The Royal Ballet celebrates founding choreographer Frederick Ashton

10 October 2014 by Gramilano 3 Comments

From 18 October until 12 November The Royal Ballet will present a glorious mixed programme of four of Frederick Ashton’s finest ballets, celebrating not only his vast and impressive body of work but … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet celebrates founding choreographer Frederick Ashton

Evan McKie answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

6 December 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Q&A When did you start dan­cing? In the womb. Why did you start dan­cing? I will probably never know the answer to that. I just know why I keep doing it. Which dan­cer inspired you most … [Read more...] about Evan McKie answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Rebecca Caine answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

14 January 2012 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Q&A When did you start singing? As a professional at 19 thanks to being chucked out of the Guildhall. I always sang as a child. Why did you start singing? I simply loved it. I grew up with no tv … [Read more...] about Rebecca Caine answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Paul Chalmer answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

27 December 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

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La Scala Ballet Season 2023-2024

La Scala Opera Season 2023-2024

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The bizarre story of Italian opera house musical chairs – Meyer, Fuortes, Lissner

Blake Works V – La Scala presents a new work from William Forsythe – “You can get a lot done with calm.”

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@giselle – a modern reimagining

Northern Ballet presents Federico Bonelli’s first season as Artistic Director 2023/2024

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Lauren Cuthbertson by Clive Barda

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Vittorio Grigolo’s new women’s shoes and a song for Hillary Clinton

franco fagioli © thibault stipal, 2014

Franco Fagioli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

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Lawrence Brownlee, © Shervin Lainez

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Steven McRae by Rick Guest crop

The Royal Ballet’s Steven McRae on injury: turning weakness into strength

You choose it out of Love! Dancing with the Khan-MacKay family

English National Ballet in Derek Deane's Swan Lake, photo by ASH, Arnaud Stephenson, 2013

Derek Deane on 20 years of his Swan Lake ‘in the round’

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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