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Manuel Legris

Virna Toppi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

6 April 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Virna Toppi as Kitri, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

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

A Covid-free La Scala to stream its gala ‘A Tribute to Nureyev’

22 March 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Raymonda - Virna Toppi, Nicola Del Freo e il Corpo di Ballo, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala-02

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

5 March 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Patrick Dupond at his White Eagle Dance Company

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

25 February 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Lo schiaccianoci 1979/1980

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

26 January 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Carla Fracci 1964 Giselle photo Erio Piccagliani crop

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

20 January 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Carla Fracci 1964 Giselle photo Erio Piccagliani crop

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

24 December 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

New York City Ballet’s The Nutcracker © Erin Baiano

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

10 December 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Rehearsals photo by Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala-02

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

29 November 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Manuel Legris - Dancing Times, December 2020

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

25 November 2020 by Gramilano 7 Comments

La Scala 7 December 2020

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

10 June 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Nikisha Fogo, photo Yousik Kim

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

18 February 2020 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Manuel Legris, Wiener Staatsoper, photo Michael Pohn

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

10 January 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Sylvia with Martina Arduino and company, photo Brescia e Amisano Teatro alla Scala

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

5 January 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Sylvia Martina Arduino, Claudio Coviello photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2019 23

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

17 December 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Sylvia Martina Arduino photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2019 20

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

20 May 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Wiener Staatsballet, Sylvia, photo Ashley Taylor

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

4 May 2019 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Bella Ratchinskaia

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

28 July 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Xander Parish As Armand, Photo By N Razina 01

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

26 June 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

from left, Frédéric Olivieri, Ferruccio Soleri, Carlo Orlandi, Luisa Spinatelli and Luciana Savignano

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

31 May 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Maria Riccetto as Tatiana in Onegin, BNS Ballet Nacional Sodre

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

12 April 2017 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

3 January 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

In the Middle Somewhat Elevated with Zarina Stahnke, photo by Ian Whalen

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

27 June 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

13 May 2014 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

1 February 2014 by Gramilano 3 Comments

 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

7 September 2013 by Gramilano 7 Comments

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

28 March 2013 by Gramilano 3 Comments

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

2 July 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

29 June 2011 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

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GRAMILANO

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan, aka ‘Gramilano’. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. He wrote the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

Since 2022, Gramilano is pleased to welcome guest authors: Alisa Alekseeva, Paul Arrowsmith, Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel, Jonathan Gray, Marina Harss, Matthew Paluch, Jann Parry, Graham Watts, and Deborah Weiss.

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