Opening Night - 17 September 2019 Giselle Svetlana Zakharova Albrecht David Hallberg Duke of Courland Alessandro Grillo Principess Bathilde Marta Romagna Giselle's mother Beatrice … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Giselle at La Scala with Svetlana Zakharova and David Hallberg
Martina Arduino
In with the old – La Scala returns to Nureyev’s Sleeping Beauty
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 … [Read more...] about In with the old – La Scala returns to Nureyev’s Sleeping Beauty
Martina Arduino answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When 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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 Scala Wednesday 17 October – 8pm – Premiere ManonSvetlana ZakharovaDes GrieuxRoberto BolleLescautNicola Del FreoMonsieur G.M.Alessandro GrilloLescaut’s mistress … [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 … [Read more...] about Designer Luisa Spinatelli’s Le Corsaire team fêted in Milan
Photo album – fifteen evenings of La Scala Ballet in China
La Scala’s Ballet Company have been touring China for almost a month, taking in four cities and dancing 15 performances of Don Quixote and Giselle. Last night’s performance of Giselle in the Grand … [Read more...] about Photo album – fifteen evenings of La Scala Ballet in China
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
Martina Arduino and Marco Agostino make extraordinary role debuts in Don Quixote at La Scala
There was a buzz in the air at La Scala for the last in the short run of Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote. Martina Arduino was to dance Kitri for the first time. Since Alexei Ratmansky pulled her out of … [Read more...] about Martina Arduino and Marco Agostino make extraordinary role debuts in Don Quixote at La Scala
Don Quixote shows off first-rate dancing by La Scala’s clutch of 20-somethings
Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote is a romp. From start to finish it zips along at a frenetic pace, with frenetic steps. That is, except the prologue — Don Quixote’s house — and a prolonged mime scene in … [Read more...] about Don Quixote shows off first-rate dancing by La Scala’s clutch of 20-somethings
Sneak peek of Don Quixote at La Scala – photos from today’s dress rehearsal
Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote returns again to La Scala with many of the company's newer Principals and Soloists making role debuts. Tomorrow night's cast - and that of this afternoon's dress … [Read more...] about Sneak peek of Don Quixote at La Scala – photos from today’s dress rehearsal
Notes on Le Corsaire at La Scala… an alternative cast
The success of Le Corsaire’s first night cast at La Scala was reviewed here previously, but no less was an alternative cast which had a shining beacon in Martina Arduino as Medora. She is a lovely … [Read more...] about Notes on Le Corsaire at La Scala… an alternative cast
Photo Album: Nureyev Gala at La Scala – Zakharova, Louvet, Nuñez, Muntagirov and Bolle (and Nureyev at La Scala facts and figures)
Last night a Gala to celebrate Rudolf Nureyev was had at La Scala. It is the 80th Anniversary of his birth and also 25 years after his death. The Gala was previewed by a benefit audience on Thursday, … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Nureyev Gala at La Scala – Zakharova, Louvet, Nuñez, Muntagirov and Bolle (and Nureyev at La Scala facts and figures)
Le Corsaire docks at La Scala – many delights with a company on top form
Anna-Marie Holmes created her version of Le Corsaire for Boston ballet in 1997. A year later it arrived in New York when it was loaned out to the American Ballet Theatre. Italian dancer Giuseppe … [Read more...] about Le Corsaire docks at La Scala – many delights with a company on top form