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 took me to dance classes. Which dancer inspired you most as a child? Natalia Makarova, […]
Manon
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 all day long. Why did you start dancing? I can’t give a definite reason, I just […]
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 do!” Which dancer inspired you most as a child? Nureyev always. Which dancer do you most admire? Nureyev. […]
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) dancing in a school show, I decided that being on stage looked much more fun than sitting in the audience and that wasn’t […]
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 studying violin at the Conservatoire, and choral singing was one of the courses. It was in these classes that I fell madly […]
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 14 to 18 October. This is a continuation of the performances in July, dedicated to Rudolf Nureyev in the […]
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, and it could well be her adieu to the operatic stage. I did my real début in Toulouse, in the chorus. I had started off as […]
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 after his semi-breakdown, he is demonstrating the value of the Royal Ballet School and Company by returning to partner Tamara Rojo in her farewell […]
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 one of her most celebrated roles, Manon. Kenneth MacMillan’s ballet had won her praise all over the world, so the 46 year-old was […]
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 of her most celebrated roles, Manon. Kenneth MacMillan’s ballet had won her praise all over the world, so the 46 year-old was […]
