Q&A When did you start dancing?Immediately, as soon as I could stand. Why did you start dancing?Because I liked to feel at one with the music. Which dancer inspired you most as a child?No … [Read more...] about Virna Toppi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Manuel Legris
A Covid-free La Scala to stream its gala ‘A Tribute to Nureyev’
The A Tribute to Nureyev gala from La Scala, was due to be streamed on 28 February, but the recording was cancelled two hours before curtain-up when a weak positive case of Covid-19 was found in one … [Read more...] about A Covid-free La Scala to stream its gala ‘A Tribute to Nureyev’
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
Tribute to Nureyev – free ballet gala streaming from La Scala
A strong thread ties Rudolf Nureyev to La Scala, where he was acclaimed not only as a dancer but also as a choreographer. Nureyev has equally strong ties to La Scala Ballet's new director, Manuel … [Read more...] about Tribute to Nureyev – free ballet gala streaming from La Scala
Online: Carla Fracci gives two Giselle masterclasses from La Scala
Carla Fracci is perhaps most famous for her performances as Giselle, so how right that she should return to the theatre where her career started to coach the young dancers who will be performing the … [Read more...] about Online: Carla Fracci gives two Giselle masterclasses from La Scala
Carla Fracci and Manuel Legris’ Giselle masterclass from La Scala online
La Scala will stream a new recording of Giselle on 30 January. There will be two casts in the principal roles, including a debut, with eight of the company’s principal dancers and soloists in Yvette … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci and Manuel Legris’ Giselle masterclass from La Scala online
Ballet treats to view online during the holidays
Dance programming for the festive period from companies all over the world are many: free, subscription and pay-per-view. Here are some that have caught my eye. Please feel free to signal in the … [Read more...] about Ballet treats to view online during the holidays
La Scala’s festive programming with televised and streamed events
Calendar of Events Monday 14 December at 8pm – Teatro alla Scala website and Facebook and YouTube pagesRecitalSabine Devieilhe, sopranoAlexandre Tharaud, pianoDebussy, Fauré, Poulenc, … [Read more...] about La Scala’s festive programming with televised and streamed events
December’s Dancing Times features Manuel Legris, Eleonora Abbagnato, and other delights
The latest issue of Dancing Times is now on sale. The December 2020 issue ends the year when the magazine celebrated its 110th anniversary, and even with the cancellation of so many shows the world … [Read more...] about December’s Dancing Times features Manuel Legris, Eleonora Abbagnato, and other delights
La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December
Despite coronavirus restrictions, La Scala will celebrate the opening of its season 2020-2021 – however long or short it may be – on 7 December, the feast of Saint Ambrose, Milan’s saint’s day. The … [Read more...] about La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December
[Interview] Meet Nikisha Fogo, San Francisco Ballet’s new Principal Dancer
Swedish ballerina Nikisha Fogo will soon take up a new position in a new company when she becomes a principal dancer at San Francisco Ballet. After seven years with the Vienna State Ballet, passing … [Read more...] about [Interview] Meet Nikisha Fogo, San Francisco Ballet’s new Principal Dancer
Manuel Legris to take over as head of La Scala’s ballet company
The whispering in the corridors of La Scala has come to an end as, finally, it has been confirmed that Manuel Legris will take over from Frédéric Olivieri as Ballet Director. Legris, currently in the … [Read more...] about Manuel Legris to take over as head of La Scala’s ballet company
Danza&Danza Awards 2019 announced
The critics of the Italian magazine Danza&Danza (which also has an edition in English) huddle together at the beginning of each year to decided the ‘best’ of the previous year in Italian dance and … [Read more...] about Danza&Danza Awards 2019 announced
Manuel Legris’ Sylvia shows La Scala’s dancers on top form
Sylvia opened the 2019-2020 ballet season at La Scala. It is a co-production with the Wiener Staatsballett where it opened in November 2018. There have been no changes to Luisa Spinatelli’s sets and … [Read more...] about Manuel Legris’ Sylvia shows La Scala’s dancers on top form
Photo Album: First Night at La Scala with “Sylvia” in a New Production
Sylvia Photos of the opening night of Sylvia, with choreography by Manuel Legris, starring Martina Arduino, Claudio Coviello, Nicola Del Freo, Christian Fagetti, Maria Celeste Losa and … [Read more...] about Photo Album: First Night at La Scala with “Sylvia” in a New Production
La Scala Ballet Season 2019 – 2020
This morning, Frédéric Olivieri, director of La Scala’s ballet company, announced the theatre's 2019-2020 season: Sylvia 14 December 2019 – 14 January 2020 Music: Léo Delibes Choreography: Manuel … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet Season 2019 – 2020
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 … [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 … [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 … [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, … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 italiano Q&A When 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 … [Read more...] about Mick Zeni answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Maria Eichwald answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? When I was 9 years old. Why did you start dancing? I saw in TV the ballet Swan Lake I wanted to be a ballerina. Which dancer inspired you most as a … [Read more...] about Maria Eichwald answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Eleonora Abbagnato is named “étoile” of the Paris Opera Ballet
Eleonora Abbagnato has been named "étoile" of the Paris Opera Ballet. Finally, one might add, and indeed the former director of the dance school of the Paris Opera, Claude Bessy, said just that. She … [Read more...] about Eleonora Abbagnato is named “étoile” of the Paris Opera Ballet
Record first French season at Vienna Opera and Ballet
The French reign at Vienna's venerable State Opera has kicked off with a bang, bringing in record revenues and attendance numbers in its very first season. With 331 opera, ballet and children's … [Read more...] about Record first French season at Vienna Opera and Ballet
Manuel Legris’ Nureyev tribute ends the Vienna Ballet season
A tribute to Rudolf Nureyev topped off a hit season for Manuel Legris's Vienna Ballet with the former French star providing two of the highlights. The Nureyev Gala, due to become an annual event, … [Read more...] about Manuel Legris’ Nureyev tribute ends the Vienna Ballet season
