Igor Zelensky is stepping down as director of the Bavarian State Ballet (Bayerisches Staatsballett) from today for private family reasons. Running a ballet company demands absolute concentration … [Read more...] about Igor Zelensky leaves as director of the Bavarian State Ballet
Mariinsky Ballet
Extraordinary dancers will dance for Ukraine in Naples and Milan
Some of the dance names that have been making headlines recently will dance for Ukraine in two upcoming galas in Italy: Olga Smirnova, Victor Caixeta, Jacopo Tissi, Iana Salenko, Anastasia Matvienko … [Read more...] about Extraordinary dancers will dance for Ukraine in Naples and Milan
[VIDEO] Natalia Makarova’s return to dance with the Kirov Ballet in 1988
In London in 1970 the 29-year-old prima ballerina Natalia Makarova, performing with Leningrad's Kirov Ballet (now St Petersburg's Mariinsky Ballet) defected to the West. Then in the summer of 1988 … [Read more...] about [VIDEO] Natalia Makarova’s return to dance with the Kirov Ballet in 1988
Dancing Times, August 2018 out now – including latest Danza in Italia column
The latest Dancing Times magazine is now on sale. The August 2018 issue contains my latest Danza in Italia column with thoughts on the new Le Corsaire by Anna-Marie Holmes at La Scala, with company … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, August 2018 out now – including latest Danza in Italia column
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
Marcelo Gomes to guest in Giselle with the Mariinsky Ballet
Marcelo Gomes will be guesting with the Mariinsky Ballet as Albrecht, with Yekaterina Osmolkina as Giselle. After his surprise departure from the American Ballet Theatre in December, he has been … [Read more...] about Marcelo Gomes to guest in Giselle with the Mariinsky Ballet
Saved by the corps! The Mariinsky under par for Swan Lake in Turin
The buzz of anticipation in the theatre wasn’t matched by the Mariinsky Ballet’s performance at Turin’s Teatro Regio. Maybe the company decided not to field its top players because it … [Read more...] about Saved by the corps! The Mariinsky under par for Swan Lake in Turin
Xander Parish becomes a Principal Dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet
Last night, on the stage of The Royal Opera House which he left eight years ago, Xander Parish was promoted to Principal Dancer of the Mariinsky Theatre. The Mariinsky are in London for a three … [Read more...] about Xander Parish becomes a Principal Dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet
Xander Parish on life with the Mariinsky Ballet
You were recently promoted to First Soloist at the Mariinsky Ballet. Happy? Yes, I was promoted after a show of Giselle back in January and it was quite out of the blue! Leaving the corps Xander … [Read more...] about Xander Parish on life with the Mariinsky Ballet
Makhar Vaziev leaves La Scala to head the Bolshoi Ballet Company
Makhar Vaziev will leave his position as head of the La Scala Ballet Company and take over at the Bolshoi Ballet on 18 March 2016. The Director of the Bolshoi Theatre, Vladimir Urin, had already … [Read more...] about Makhar Vaziev leaves La Scala to head the Bolshoi Ballet Company
Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya dies at 89
Maya Plisetskaya died of a heart attack today in Munich. She was 89. The director of the Bolshoi Ballet, Vladimir Urin, said, She died of a severe heart attack. The doctors tried everything, but … [Read more...] about Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya dies at 89
Nominees announced for the 15th National Dance Awards
The Dance Section of the Critics’ Circle has announced the nominations for the 15th National Dance Awards. The Critics' Circle is composed of five sections: Music, Theatre, Film, Dance and Visual … [Read more...] about Nominees announced for the 15th National Dance Awards
You choose it out of Love! Dancing with the Khan-MacKay family
Dancing, like acting and singing, often runs in the family. There are countless dancers whose parents danced: Zenaida Yanowsky (Royal Ballet), Yury Yanowsky (Boston Ballet) and Nadia Yanowsky (Het … [Read more...] about You choose it out of Love! Dancing with the Khan-MacKay family
Zach’s Diary part three: Balanchine, class and holidays
Zach’s Diary part one: Growing up dancing in Canada Zach’s Diary part two: Starting at Stuttgart’s John Cranko-Schule Zach's Diary part three Christmastime in Germany is like a fairy … [Read more...] about Zach’s Diary part three: Balanchine, class and holidays
Russian Ministry says Vaganova letter against Tsiskaridze is forged
The Russian Ministry of Culture has said that the letter sent to Vladimir Putin by the staff of the Vaganova Academy, asking for the removal of Nikolai Tsiskaridze as its director, is a … [Read more...] about Russian Ministry says Vaganova letter against Tsiskaridze is forged
Russian Prime Minister congratulates Ulyana Lopatkina on her 40th birthday
Ulyana Lopatkina, Prima ballerina at the Mariinsky Ballet in St Petersburg, turns 40 today. A congratulatory telegram from Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev reads: You are among the stars of … [Read more...] about Russian Prime Minister congratulates Ulyana Lopatkina on her 40th birthday
Tonight Roberto Bolle and Friends alight at the 15,000-seater Roman Arena in Verona
Tonight Verona's famous Arena is sold out. All 15,000 seats will be full to watch Roberto Bolle and his 'friends' dance in the open air. It is a magical place. Italy's Il Sole 24 Ore (the … [Read more...] about Tonight Roberto Bolle and Friends alight at the 15,000-seater Roman Arena in Verona
Why are Alina Cojocaru, Natalia Osipova and Viengsay Valdés wearing green pointe shoes?
What have Alina Cojocaru, Natalia Osipova and Viengsay Valdés got in common? Well yes, they are all ballet dancers. And yes, they have all danced Giselle. But think more deeply... They've all got dark … [Read more...] about Why are Alina Cojocaru, Natalia Osipova and Viengsay Valdés wearing green pointe shoes?
Keenan Kampa of Boston Ballet to join Mariinsky
One of Boston Ballet’s dancers Keenan Kampa will join Mariinsky Ballet over the next few months, US media say. An official announcement to this effect will be made at the John F Kennedy Center for … [Read more...] about Keenan Kampa of Boston Ballet to join Mariinsky
La Scala’s Raymonda “is a true banquet: pomp, circumstance, and an entire world on stage”, says the Financial Times
The Financial Times visited Milan's historic theatre to witness Sergei Vikharev’s reconstruction of Raymonda - a production which is sending ripples of interest and excitement around the ballet … [Read more...] about La Scala’s Raymonda “is a true banquet: pomp, circumstance, and an entire world on stage”, says the Financial Times
