In 1959, Rudolf Nureyev, with Ninel Kourgapkina as Kitri, danced Basilio for the first time at the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad. He was 20. After he defected to the West in 1961, the role became his … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Don Quixote at La Scala with with Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko
Maina Gielgud
How to stage a ballet… Maina Gielgud explains
The indefatigable Maina Gielgud is a freelance stager, guest teacher and coach. In 1983, two years after leaving her successful and varied career as a dancer, she became Artistic Director of the … [Read more...] about How to stage a ballet… Maina Gielgud explains
Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya dies at 89
Maya Plisetskaya died of a heart attack today in Munich. She was 89. The director of the Bolshoi Ballet, Vladimir Urin, said, She died of a severe heart attack. The doctors tried everything, but … [Read more...] about Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya dies at 89
James Whiteside answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started dancing when I was 9 years old. Why did you start dancing? I started dancing because I was driving my mom crazy. She wanted to get me out of the … [Read more...] about James Whiteside answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Natalia Osipova and Claudio Coviello début in Nureyev’s Swan Lake
Prince Siegfried sleeps on his throne and in his dream he sees the evil Rothbart carrying off a white swan into the sky. This is how Rudolf Nureyev's version of Swan Lake begins, and ends. The ballet … [Read more...] about Natalia Osipova and Claudio Coviello début in Nureyev’s Swan Lake
Claudio Coviello spreads his wings in Swan Lake with Natalia Osipova
In a brave casting move, Makhar Vaziev, director of La Scala's ballet company, has given new-boy Claudio Coviello the opening night of Swan Lake with Natalia Osipova. 21-year-old Claudio … [Read more...] about Claudio Coviello spreads his wings in Swan Lake with Natalia Osipova
Maina Gielgud answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I took my first ballet classes when I was about 6 years old. It was in Brussels, and with a Russian teacher married to a Belgian. Her name was Mme de … [Read more...] about Maina Gielgud answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Lifar’s Suite en Blanc “a clever, intriguing and intricately patterned work”
Well you can't blame them for trying. "Black & White: featuring the Black Swan pas de deux" was the cringe-making publicity for the English National Ballet's mixed programme. It didn't however … [Read more...] about Lifar’s Suite en Blanc “a clever, intriguing and intricately patterned work”
