This morning, Frédéric Olivieri, director of La Scala’s ballet company, announced the theatre's 2019-2020 season:Sylvia14 December 2019 – 14 January 2020Music: Léo Delibes Choreography: Manuel Legris based on Louis Mérante and others Story and libretto: Manuel Legris and Jean-François Vazelle based on Jules Barbier and Jacques de Reinach Sets and costumes: Luisa … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet Season 2019 – 2020
Manuel Legris
Bella Ratchinskaia and Manuel Legris talk about the abuse allegations at Vienna State Opera’s Ballet Academy
Accusations of abuse at Vienna State Opera’s Ballet Academy quickly travelled the world, from The Guardian to the New York Times which began its article with,The Vienna State Opera’s ballet academy vowed to reform its practices after former students and staff said dancers as young as 11 were kicked, scratched and handled roughly in classes.Others said they were regularly … [Read more...] about Bella Ratchinskaia and Manuel Legris talk about the abuse allegations at Vienna State Opera’s Ballet Academy
Exciting celebration of Rudolf Nureyev’s life with world ballet stars at Spoleto, tonight 28 July
2018 marks 80 years since Rudolf Nureyev was born and 25 since he died. La Scala in Milan have marked the occasion with a series of Gala celebrations and performances of his Don Quixote, Manuel Legris organised a celebration with the Vienna State Ballet, and many more tributes have been staged to doff a hat to the transfixing force of nature that was Nureyev.At 9.15pm today, … [Read more...] about Exciting celebration of Rudolf Nureyev’s life with world ballet stars at Spoleto, tonight 28 July
Luisa Spinatelli – celebrating the life of the Milanese opera and ballet designer
Luisa Spinatelli… taking tasteful to a higher dimension The Amici della Scala (Friends of La Scala), run by the indefatigable Anna Crespi, gathered together at the association’s spectacular headquarters, a short walk from La Scala, to celebrate one of Italy’s most important theatre designers.Luisa Spinatelli is one of a tight-knit core of Milanese artists, by birth or … [Read more...] about Luisa Spinatelli – celebrating the life of the Milanese opera and ballet designer
Benois de la Danse winners 2017 – Pite, Pagliero, Riccetto, Haydée, Rodkin, Marchand
Last night, on the Bolshoi’s Historical Stage, the recipients of the Benois de la Danse prizes for 2017 were announced.Crystal Pite won the prize for Best Choreographer for The Seasons’ Canon, commissioned by the Paris Opera Ballet.Of the six nominated ballerinas, Ludmila Pagliero was awarded for her performance in Jerome Robbins’ Other Dances at the POB, and Maria Riccetto … [Read more...] about Benois de la Danse winners 2017 – Pite, Pagliero, Riccetto, Haydée, Rodkin, Marchand
Julio Bocca talks about his emotional 50th Birthday Gala in New York this Friday
Youth America Grand Prix celebrates Julio Bocca on his 50th Birthday, as part of its Legends in Dance series, this Friday, 14 April.An exciting programme sees Luciana Paris and Marcelo Gomes in My Way from Twyla Tharp’s Sinatra Suite, and Maria Noel Riccetto (who now dances with Bocca’s Ballet Nacional SODRE in Uruguay) who will dance with Gomes in the MacMillan’s Romeo and … [Read more...] about Julio Bocca talks about his emotional 50th Birthday Gala in New York this Friday
István Simon on the Semperoper Ballett dancing William Forsythe at the Palais Garnier, Paris
William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated was created for the Paris Opera Ballet who have performed it at home and abroad since 1987. The piece entered the repertoire of Dresden’s Semperoper Ballett in 2006 and now they are about to invade the Palais Garnier and perform it on the stage it was created for; the first guest company to do so.The Semperoper Ballett will … [Read more...] about István Simon on the Semperoper Ballett dancing William Forsythe at the Palais Garnier, Paris
Zakharova, Guérin and Legris in new works by Patrick de Bana for China
Svetlana Zakharova is to dance two modern pieces in the Gala Baiser Volé which closes the season at Shanghai's Grand Theatre on 9 August. It will be the first time that the Russian ballerina dances in China.Revelation is a work that she has performed many times in such events over the last eight years since Japanese choreographer Motoko Hirayama created it for her. It is a … [Read more...] about Zakharova, Guérin and Legris in new works by Patrick de Bana for China
New on YouTube: Bournonville’s Napoli Divertissements with the Paris Opera Ballet, 1985
After having seen the La Scala Ballet School's 'end of year' performance of the Bournonville's Napoli Divertissements, I went digging around to find other versions to watch, and found that on YouTube there are surprising few clips. One is of the Ballet Rambert's end of year show.Digging around in the old VHS tapes that are (very) slowly getting transferred to digital … [Read more...] about New on YouTube: Bournonville’s Napoli Divertissements with the Paris Opera Ballet, 1985
Mick Zeni answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
versione in italianoQ&AWhen did you start dancing? When I was 7 at a local dance school, and at 15 I started at the Dance Academy at La Scala.Why did you start dancing? It was thanks to my parents.Which dancer inspired you most as a child? Nureyev.Which dancers do you most admire? Mikhail Baryshnikov, Julio.Bocca, Manuel Legris, Desmond … [Read more...] about Mick Zeni answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition