How should the Royal Opera House celebrate 60 years of The Friends of Covent Garden? Krumping? Balanchine? Don't stress, you don't have to choose, we're getting both in the buffet that is The Royal … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration – the importance of the past, present, and future
Manon
Anna Rose O’Sullivan answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
When did you start dancing? I started dancing around the age of 4 and I instantly fell in love with ballet. As a young child I would put performances on for my family using the fireplace hearth as … [Read more...] about Anna Rose O’Sullivan answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Patrick Dupond, much-loved ballet star, dies at 61
The flamboyant French ballet star Patrick Dupond has died after a "devastating illness" – he was 61. His collaborator, Leïla Da Rocha, said, Patrick Dupond has died after a "devastating illness" – … [Read more...] about Patrick Dupond, much-loved ballet star, dies at 61
Yasmine Naghdi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
When did you start dancing?Aged 2, on our coffee table at home. Why did you start dancing?To satisfy my urge to move all the time. I really had “ants in my pants”! Which dancer inspired you most … [Read more...] about Yasmine Naghdi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Roberto Bolle says addio to American Ballet Theatre
Eight performances of Kenneth MacMillan's Manon are scheduled to begin 17 June 2019 during American Ballet Theatre's 2019 Spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House, with Hee Seo in the title role, … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle says addio to American Ballet Theatre
Photo Album: Manon opening night at La Scala with Zakharova and Bolle
First night photographs from La Scala Wednesday 17 October – 8pm – Premiere ManonSvetlana ZakharovaDes GrieuxRoberto BolleLescautNicola Del FreoMonsieur G.M.Alessandro GrilloLescaut’s mistress … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Manon opening night at La Scala with Zakharova and Bolle
Interview with Juan Diego Flórez who debuts in Ricciardo e Zoraide at Pesaro tonight
Twenty-two years ago, Juan Diego Flórez arrived like a meteorite across the opera firmament. A couple of weeks before his career launching performance, I’d met the young tenor in Milan. He’d flown … [Read more...] about Interview with Juan Diego Flórez who debuts in Ricciardo e Zoraide at Pesaro tonight
Zakharova, Bolle and Manni are excellent Principals in La Dame aux Camélias, but Andrijashenko steals the show at La Scala
Svetlana Zakharova and Roberto Bolle have both danced the lead roles in John Neumeier's La Dame aux Camélias, but never together. La Scala united its two Étoiles for the opening of its ballet season. … [Read more...] about Zakharova, Bolle and Manni are excellent Principals in La Dame aux Camélias, but Andrijashenko steals the show at La Scala
La Scala Ballet Season 2017-2018 with new Le Corsaire, Bolle’s debut in Bolero, tribute to Nureyev, and the Bolshoi
Since suddenly taking over at the helm of La Scala’s Ballet Company, and now having been confirmed as its director for the next three years, Frédéric Olivieri has presented his first ballet season … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet Season 2017-2018 with new Le Corsaire, Bolle’s debut in Bolero, tribute to Nureyev, and the Bolshoi
Anaïs Chalendard answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started taking "ballet" class when I was very little; about 4 years old. But I think I really started proper classes when I turned 6 or 7. Why did you … [Read more...] about Anaïs Chalendard answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Agnes Oaks answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started ballet at considerably late age, when I was already 10 years old. Why did you start dancing? It was my mother's idea for me to try this profession. … [Read more...] about Agnes Oaks answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Strike action hits opening night of Manon at La Scala
The first night of Kenneth MacMillan's Manon at La Scala tomorrow night will be affected by strike action. The CGIL union has announced the strike, but the theatre has said that the performance … [Read more...] about Strike action hits opening night of Manon at La Scala
Mathilde Froustey answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started at the age of 10 in my hometown Dax, near Bordeaux in southwest France. I was hyperactive so my mother had me do as many activities as I possibly … [Read more...] about Mathilde Froustey answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Bryn Terfel: “These are a few of my favourite things”
The Financial Times magazine How to Spend it recently interviewed Bryn Terfel on what happens in his life when he’s not being a singer. Here are some of his favourite things: Golf … [Read more...] about Bryn Terfel: “These are a few of my favourite things”
Ludmila Pagliero answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? When I was 9 years old. Why did you start dancing? Because I was always moving as a child and I had to do something with my body. I asked my mom and she … [Read more...] about Ludmila Pagliero answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Francesca Hayward answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
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
Luis Ortigoza answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? When I was 5 years old. Why did you start dancing? I saw a ballet class and enjoyed watching it, so I said to my mother, "That's what I want to … [Read more...] about Luis Ortigoza answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Xander Parish answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started dancing when I was 8 years old. Why did you start dancing? After seeing my younger sister (Demelza Parish currently with The Royal Ballet) … [Read more...] about Xander Parish answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Desirée Rancatore answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
versione in italiano Q&A When did you start singing? When I was 16, with my mother! I had been learning the violin, but without much enthusiasm. Why did you start singing? I was … [Read more...] about Desirée Rancatore answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Glamorous casting at La Scala as Natalia Osipova steps in at last minute
After the success La Scala's ballet company during their dates in Tokyo - 10,000 people saw the 5 performances of Romeo and Juliet - they now return to Milan with four performances of Swan Lake from … [Read more...] about Glamorous casting at La Scala as Natalia Osipova steps in at last minute
Natalie Dessay to say ‘addio’ to opera
I want to change my life - I want to go into straight theatre. Natalie Dessay announced to Examiner.com's Sean Martinfield. After the summer Dessay is slated to sing Massenet’s Manon in Toulouse, … [Read more...] about Natalie Dessay to say ‘addio’ to opera
Sergei Polunin on bringing Mayerling to Moscow, and dancing until 50
Sergei Polunin, who famously defected from the Royal Ballet just over a year ago, has found a home at the Stanislavsky theatre, and fame through winning a television dance competition. Settling down … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin on bringing Mayerling to Moscow, and dancing until 50
New YouTube video: Manon, Act 1, the bedroom pas de deux with Sylvie Guillem and Massimo Murru
At the beginning of 2011 an extraordinary happening occurred in the ballet world... Sylvie Guillem, who had almost given up her pointe shoes and had been focusing on contemporary dance, returned to … [Read more...] about New YouTube video: Manon, Act 1, the bedroom pas de deux with Sylvie Guillem and Massimo Murru
New YouTube video: Manon Act 2, the party scene, with Sylvie Guillem
At the beginning of 2011 an extraordinary happening occurred in the ballet world: Sylvie Guillem, who had almost given up her pointe shoes and had been focusing on contemporary dance, returned to one … [Read more...] about New YouTube video: Manon Act 2, the party scene, with Sylvie Guillem
The FT’s Clement Crisp: Manon’s involuntary sexual charm, like Marilyn Monroe
The Financial Times has some, understandable, reserves in an otherwise excellent review: My cheers for the ensemble are as loud as anyone’s, as also my admiration for the principals: for José … [Read more...] about The FT’s Clement Crisp: Manon’s involuntary sexual charm, like Marilyn Monroe
Sylvie Guillem’s triumphal return to Manon: the final pas de deux [video]
At the beginning of 2011 an extraordinary happening occurred in the ballet world: Sylvie Guillem, who had almost given up her pointe shoes and had been focusing on contemporary dance, returned to one … [Read more...] about Sylvie Guillem’s triumphal return to Manon: the final pas de deux [video]
The Royal Ballet’s Rupert Pennefather talks to The Sunday Times
On dancing the final pas de deux from Manon with Sarah Lamb“The last pas de deux should be risked. There are a lot of throws and falls, so we agreed to take it to the maximum risk factor, to make it … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet’s Rupert Pennefather talks to The Sunday Times
Critics round-up: Mariinsky at Covent Garden, Anna Karenina
The fifth offering from the Mariinsky divided the critics. Most had reserves over Alexei Ratmansky's storytelling, but even Kenneth MacMillan's Manon received a hammering on its first outing. The … [Read more...] about Critics round-up: Mariinsky at Covent Garden, Anna Karenina
Lamb and Pennefather – the new ballet dream team at the Garden
Last Saturday was Rupert Pennefather's 30th birthday and the Royal Ballet gave him a wonderful gift: the opportunity to début in Manon with the fellow newcomer Sarah Lamb. The Times' Debra Craine … [Read more...] about Lamb and Pennefather – the new ballet dream team at the Garden
Rupert Pennefather’s turning thirty but still looking good in white tights
The Times talked to Rupert Pennefather on the eve of his 30th birthday and his début in Manon: Never underestimate the importance of looking good in white tights - says Debra Craine - for a male … [Read more...] about Rupert Pennefather’s turning thirty but still looking good in white tights
