If there is a ballet that belongs to La Scala, it’s Rudolf Nureyev’s production of The Sleeping Beauty, created for the ballet company in 1966 with Carla Fracci and Nureyev in the main roles. It was performed 152 times until 2007, when Tchaikovsky’s score fell silent for eight years until awoken by Alexei Ratmansky when he brought his reconstructed version to Milan in September … [Read more...] about In with the old – La Scala returns to Nureyev’s Sleeping Beauty
Martina Arduino
Martina Arduino answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&Ain italianoWhen did you start dancing? I started dancing for fun when I was four, and more seriously when I was 11 after I was accepted to the Ballet School of La Scala’s Academy.Why did you start dancing? I went into the dancing school and was captivated by the atmosphere and the smells – of wood and rosin combined. From that moment on I never stopped … [Read more...] about Martina Arduino answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
First photos of Wayne McGregor’s Woolf Works at La Scala with Alessandra Ferri, Federico Bonelli and Company dancers
These are the first photos of La Scala's restaging of Wayne McGregor's Woolf Works created for The Royal Ballet in 2015. The work was seen again in London in 2017, and in Milan, two of the original interpreters- Alessandra Ferri and Federico Bonelli - reprise their roles.The photos are accompanied by extracts of a 2017 interview by The Royal Ballet with the work's composer … [Read more...] about First photos of Wayne McGregor’s Woolf Works at La Scala with Alessandra Ferri, Federico Bonelli and Company dancers
In Balanchine’s Nutcracker at La Scala the magic is almost real – three casts reviewed
Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is new to La Scala, in fact, new to Italy. And how the Scala regulars were relishing in the opportunity to grumble and mutter “humbug” during the interval. It’s certainly different from the Nureyev production which was seen in Milan for many years, and light-years away from the strange version by Nacho Duato that the theatre endured four years ago … [Read more...] about In Balanchine’s Nutcracker at La Scala the magic is almost real – three casts reviewed
Designs and rehearsal photos of La Scala’s new production of Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker opens the ballet season at La Scala. The new production has sets and costumes by Italian designer Margherita Palli.15 December 2018: Preview performance for young people16, 19, 20, 29, 30 December 20183, 4, 10, 12 (2 perfs.), 15 January 2019George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®Sets and costumes - Margherita PalliLights - Marco … [Read more...] about Designs and rehearsal photos of La Scala’s new production of Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
Illustrated look at La Scala’s visit to Australia with Don Quixote and Giselle
After almost a month touring China, La Scala’s ballet company popped back to Milan for a run of Manon performances, before popping off to Australia for thirteen performances in Brisbane, from 7 to 18 November.It is the company’s first time in Australia and they are taking two of their most popular productions: Don Quixote and Giselle. Performances are at the Queensland … [Read more...] about Illustrated look at La Scala’s visit to Australia with Don Quixote and Giselle
Danza in Italia column returns in the latest issue of Dancing Times
The latest issue of Dancing Times magazine, November 2018, is being shipped to newstands as I write.The new Danza in Italia column looks at Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote at Teatro alla Scala, with important debut performances from Timofej Andrijashenko, Martina Arduino and Marco Agostino, and with Nicoletta Manni returning as Kitri; Jacopo Tissi comes home to dance again on La … [Read more...] about Danza in Italia column returns in the latest issue of Dancing Times
Review: Manon at La Scala with Svetlana Zakharova and Roberto Bolle
While the role of Manon doesn’t represent the pinnacle of acting challenges, it is surely one of the most satisfying. For a dancer who can act it is a gift, with each scene offering a new state to convey: from the young girl playing at flirting, to becoming the joyfully passionate lover (in the first bedroom pas de deux), to the calculating social climber, to the knowingly … [Read more...] about Review: Manon at La Scala with Svetlana Zakharova and Roberto Bolle
Photo Album: Manon opening night at La Scala with Zakharova and Bolle
First night photographs from La ScalaWednesday 17 October – 8pm – PremiereManonSvetlana ZakharovaDes GrieuxRoberto BolleLescautNicola Del FreoMonsieur G.M.Alessandro GrilloLescaut’s mistress Martina ArduinoMadameDeborah GismondiThe gaolerMick ZeniThe beggar chief Federico FresiThe courtesans Vittoria Valerio, Agnese Di Clemente,Francesca Podini, Gaia Andreanò, … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Manon opening night at La Scala with Zakharova and Bolle
Designer Luisa Spinatelli’s Le Corsaire team fêted in Milan
The Amici della Scala association (Friends of La Scala) are always ready to celebrate: maybe it's a question and answer session with Antonio Pappano, a talk by Placido Domingo, a presentation of one of the association's newly published books (they have an extensive collection) - whatever, evenings always finish with an upheld glass and the cutting of a cake. The occasion this … [Read more...] about Designer Luisa Spinatelli’s Le Corsaire team fêted in Milan