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 tale, though so far only a couple light dustings of snow but, of course, the wonderful Christmas markets. December has been a very busy month here, with a performance in the … [Read more...] about Zach’s Diary part three: Balanchine, class and holidays
Mariinsky Ballet
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 forgery. The letter said that the announced removal of the director Vera Dorofeyeva, and the artistic director, Altynai Asylmuratova, would cause "irreparable damage" to the institution but … [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 the first magnitude, whose talent and artistry was clearly evident from your student days. After your début at the legendary Mariinsky Theatre you have rightly been recognized as … [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 equivalent of the Financial Times, and the same colour) spoke to him. Unfortunately half of these interviews are always taken up with the same questions, but as we know that dancers don't … [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 hair? Now you're just being silly. I'll have to tell you. They all have shoes made with solar power! But I expect you'd already guessed that. America's Cardinal Shoe Corp, … [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 the Performing Arts in Washington, which has become a venue for current performances by Mariinsky’s lead dancers. Keenan Kampa, 22, is the first US dancer who graduated from the … [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 community. This blog alone, and its associated YouTube channel, has received thousands of extra visits to read about Raymonda, pushing the associated posts to the top of the most … [Read more...] about La Scala’s Raymonda “is a true banquet: pomp, circumstance, and an entire world on stage”, says the Financial Times
Kondaurova, Ermakov and the Mariinsky girls triumph in La Bayadère in Turin
The Mariinsky Ballet are entering their last week of a three-week run at Turin's Teatro Regio, after a week of their Fokine programme, a week of Bayadères, and now they start on their twelve Swan Lakes. The Regio's modern theatre was designed for opera and leaves the dancer, especially the male ballet dancer, shortchanged. Andrey Ermakov's huge leaps brought him dangerously … [Read more...] about Kondaurova, Ermakov and the Mariinsky girls triumph in La Bayadère in Turin
Olesia Novikova and Friedemann Vogel in Raymonda from La Scala… Live (-ish)
The reconstructed ballet Raymonda, that debuted earlier this month at Milan's La Scala, will be broadcast this evening at 21.30 on Rai5 in a delayed broadcast. Whether the hour and a half difference is to allow a tripping ballerina the chance to have another go has not been explained. This is a mega-ballet with the full corps, 70 children from the La Scala ballet school, … [Read more...] about Olesia Novikova and Friedemann Vogel in Raymonda from La Scala… Live (-ish)
Olesia Novikova in the Raymonda Act III variation, joined by Friedemann Vogel for the coda
Another clip from Sergei Vikharev’s newly reconstructed version of Raymonda. Mariinsky ballerina Olesia Novikova is joined by Stuttgart Ballet's Friedemann Vogel in the Act III variation and coda. … [Read more...] about Olesia Novikova in the Raymonda Act III variation, joined by Friedemann Vogel for the coda