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Gramilano logo 2023

- dance, opera, photography...

Matthew Ball

[Review] The Royal Ballet double bill: Valentino Zucchetti’s Anemoi and Cathy Marston’s The Cellist

22 October 2023 by Jann Parry Leave a Comment

The Cellist_The Royal Ballet, ROH Covent Garden, Choreography: Cathy Marston , The Cellist; Lauren Cuthbertson, The Conductor; Matthew Ball, The Instrument; Marcelino Sambe Scenario; Cathy Marston and Edward Kemp, Music;Philip Feeney, Designer;Hildegard

Jann Parry sees The Royal Ballet's double bill with Valentino Zucchetti’s Anemoi and Cathy Marston’s The Cellist TitleAnemoi / The Cellist CompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet double bill: Valentino Zucchetti’s Anemoi and Cathy Marston’s The Cellist

Rocchetta Grand Jeté – Royal Ballet dancers among the Italian vines

22 August 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Taisuke Nakao, Meaghan Grace Hinkis and Daichi Ikarashi in Les Lutins by Johan Kobborg

This weekend – 26 and 27 August – sees Steven McRae, Sarah Lamb, Matthew Ball, Mayara Magri, Ryoichi Hirano, Anna Rose O'Sullivan, Laura Morera, and other members of The Royal Ballet, in a gala … [Read more...] about Rocchetta Grand Jeté – Royal Ballet dancers among the Italian vines

Royal Ballet casting for autumn performances 2023 with role debuts

4 June 2023 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Artists-of-the-Royal-Ballet-in-Anemoi-The-Royal-Ballet-2021-ROH.-Photograph-by-Alice-Pennefather

The Royal Ballet casting for main roles is announced for all performances from 30 September 2023 until 13 January 2024. General booking opens on 2 August 2023 for the whole period. The ballets … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet casting for autumn performances 2023 with role debuts

[Review] The Royal Ballet’s Cinderella – not quite top drawer?

26 April 2023 by Paul Arrowsmith 6 Comments

Matthew Ball and Laura Morera in Cinderella The Royal Ballet photo by Andrej Uspenski

Paul Arrowsmith sees two debut casts in The Royal Ballet's new production of Cinderella TitleCinderellaCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, LondonDate22 April 2023, matinee and … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet’s Cinderella – not quite top drawer?

[Review] The Royal Ballet’s new Cinderella – a fresh look for the 21st century

30 March 2023 by Jonathan Gray 1 Comment

Yasmine Naghdi (Cinderella), Matthew Ball (Prince), 2023 ROH Photo Tristram Kenton

Jonathan Gray sees The Royal Ballet's new production of Ashton's Cinderella TitleCinderellaCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueRoyal Opera House, Covent GardenDate29 March 2023ReviewerJonathan Gray Not … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet’s new Cinderella – a fresh look for the 21st century

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

19 January 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Prix de Lausanne 2020-01

The Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 will be given to Carlos Acosta CBE, a Prix de Lausanne Prize Winner in 1990 and current Director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. The Prix de Lausanne 2023 50th … [Read more...] about Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

The Royal Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty returns – also in cinemas

15 December 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Yasmine Nagdhi and Matthew Ball in The Sleeping Beauty, photo by Bill Cooper, The Royal Ballet 2017 ROH

This season, The Royal Ballet’s production of The Sleeping Beauty returns to the Royal Opera House, from Monday 16 January until Tuesday 6 June 2023. The ballet was first presented at Covent Garden … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty returns – also in cinemas

[Review] The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration – the importance of the past, present, and future

17 November 2022 by Matthew Paluch 7 Comments

Marcelino Sambé and Matthew Ball in For Four 2022 ROH, photographed by Andrej Uspenski

How should the Royal Opera House celebrate 60 years of The Friends of Covent Garden? Krumping? Balanchine? Don't stress, you don't have to choose, we're getting both in the buffet that is The Royal … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration – the importance of the past, present, and future

[Review] Men in Motion: the male dance spectacular still delivers, ten years on

7 November 2022 by Matthew Paluch Leave a Comment

Edward Watson in A Sheila Dance by Arthur Pita - Men in Motion, photo by Elliott Franks 03

Guest author Matthew Paluch sees the 10th-anniversary performance of Men in Motion TitleMen in MotionCompanyIvan Putrov's Men in MotionVenueThe London ColiseumDate6 November 2022ReviewerMatthew … [Read more...] about [Review] Men in Motion: the male dance spectacular still delivers, ten years on

[Review] Mayerling in London and Paris on 30th anniversary of MacMillan’s death

31 October 2022 by Jonathan Gray 6 Comments

Vadim Muntagirov and Fumi Kaneko in Mayerling, photo by Andrej Uspenski, ROH 2022

Guest author Jonathan Gray looks at Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling in London and Paris TitleMayerlingCompanyThe Royal Ballet / Paris Opéra BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, London / Palais Garnier, … [Read more...] about [Review] Mayerling in London and Paris on 30th anniversary of MacMillan’s death

Crystal Pite’s Light of Passage: first look at tonight’s Royal Ballet world premiere

18 October 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Light Of Passage by Crystal Pite - The Royal Ballet, photo Tristram Kenton ROH

The curtain has just gone down on the opening night – 18 October 2022 ­– of Crystal Pite’s Light of Passage. Pite has returned to The Royal Ballet to transform her shorter work Flight Pattern into a … [Read more...] about Crystal Pite’s Light of Passage: first look at tonight’s Royal Ballet world premiere

Athelhampton House Gala: Stars of The Royal Ballet dance in charity gala this weekend

8 September 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Akane Takada and Ryoichi Hirano in Christopher Wheeldon’s Within the Golden Hour

The Athelhampton House Gala in Dorset has become an annual happening after the Royal Ballet’s Meaghan Grace Hinkis created the event after the first lockdown in 2020. Hinkis, who has been a first … [Read more...] about Athelhampton House Gala: Stars of The Royal Ballet dance in charity gala this weekend

Male ballet stars line up for Men in Motion’s 10th anniversary show

28 July 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Men in Motion - Ivan Putrov and Matthew Ball © Christine Kreiselmaier

This autumn, Men in Motion celebrates its 10th anniversary with a one-off performance at the London Coliseum on Sunday 6 November. Ivan Putrov conceived the format a decade ago by when the former … [Read more...] about Male ballet stars line up for Men in Motion’s 10th anniversary show

First look: Photo album of Ballet’s Like Water For Chocolate

2 June 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

14 - Like Water For Chocolate with Francesca Hayward Marcelino Sambe, photo Tristram Kenton

The curtain has just come down on opening night of Christopher Wheeldon's new work for The Royal Ballet. Below is a gallery of photos from yesterday's dress rehearsal (1 June 2022). A modern … [Read more...] about First look: Photo album of Ballet’s Like Water For Chocolate

[Photo Album] Royal Ballet in THE WEATHERING/SOLO ECHO/DGV

25 March 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Calvin Richardson in The Weathering photo by Andrej Uspenski ROH

Three of the world’s most exciting contemporary choreographers come together in an extraordinary showcase of dance today that includes the world premiere of a new work, The Weathering by Kyle Abraham, … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] Royal Ballet in THE WEATHERING/SOLO ECHO/DGV

Touché! Les Étoiles gala features a homosexual pas de deux

27 January 2022 by Gramilano 3 Comments

João Menegussi and Calvin Royal III in Touché - photo Rosalie O’Connor, courtesy American Ballet Theatre

The Les Ètoiles gala in Rome (30 and 31 January 2022) will present some usual gala fare with the Don Quixote and Swan Lake pas de deux, and as always with this annual event there will be contemporary … [Read more...] about Touché! Les Étoiles gala features a homosexual pas de deux

Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star

26 January 2022 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Anna Rose O'Sullivan after her début as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, photo by Marcelino Sambé

It’s full steam ahead for The Royal Ballet’s Anna Rose O’Sullivan. Last year she was promoted to the rank of principal dancer with the company, in January of this year she made her debut as the Sugar … [Read more...] about Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star

Royal Opera House: new ballet and opera streams

20 December 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Zenaida Yanowsky as Marguerite and Roberto Bolle as Armand in Marguerite and Armand. © ROH, 2017. Photographed by Tristram Kenton.

Wayne McGregor’s The Dante Project is available from the Royal Opera House’s streaming service from Monday 20 December at 19.30 GMT (20.30 CET). The Guardian said: For his new ballet, Wayne … [Read more...] about Royal Opera House: new ballet and opera streams

[Photo Album] Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball in rehearsal

15 December 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

04 - Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball rehearse Giselle for The Royal Ballet - November 2021 © Dasa Wharton

Matthew Ball’s playful then devastated Albrecht rose to every challenge that the role threw at him and Yasmine Naghdi’s Giselle matched superb technique with a tender warmth. - Sarah Crompton for The … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball in rehearsal

Casting for The Royal Ballet Romeo and Juliet opening the 2021-2022 Season

8 September 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Marcelino Sambé and Anna Rose OSullivan as in Romeo and Juliet, photo by Helen Maybanks

This October The Royal Ballet returns for its first full season in 18 months. The season includes world premieres of Wayne McGregor’s The Dante Project, Christopher Wheeldon’s Like Water for … [Read more...] about Casting for The Royal Ballet Romeo and Juliet opening the 2021-2022 Season

Royal Ballet stars for the Athelhampton Ballet Charity Gala 2021

23 August 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Anna Rose O'Sullivan in The Dying Swan, photo by Ian Rice

Last August, Royal Ballet First Soloist Meaghan Grace Hinkis was in her living room doing a Zoom ballet class when she realised it had been nearly six months since she had set foot on stage. That … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet stars for the Athelhampton Ballet Charity Gala 2021

[Photo Album] Royal Ballet’s Balanchine and Robbins programme

4 June 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Vadim Muntagirov, Yasmine Naghdi, Anna Rose O'Sullivan and Mayara Magri in Apollo photo by Helen Maybanks ROH

Tonight, Friday 4 June, the Royal Ballet opens a new evening of dance dedicated to George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins with Apollo, the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, and Dances at a … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] Royal Ballet’s Balanchine and Robbins programme

Nominees for the UK’s National Dance Awards 2021 are announced

8 May 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Onegin with Francesca Hayward as Olga and Matthew Ball as Lensky © ROH, 2020. Photographed by Tristram Kenton

The nominees for the 21st National Dance Awards 2021 have been announced by the Dance Section of the Critics’ Circle. The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the announcement of awards and award … [Read more...] about Nominees for the UK’s National Dance Awards 2021 are announced

The Royal Ballet cancels its live stream of The Nutcracker

21 December 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Yasmine Naghdi as The Sugar Plum Fairy and Matthew Ball as The Prince in The Nutcracker, The Royal Ballet © 2017 ROH, photo by Karolina Kuras

Following London’s move to Tier 4 status The Royal Ballet has decided to cancel its stream of The Nutcracker on Tuesday 22 December. The company says that it is obviously very … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet cancels its live stream of The Nutcracker

The Royal Ballet to stream The Nutcracker Reworked on 22 December with Naghdi and Ball

10 December 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Yasmine Naghdi as The Sugar Plum Fairy and Matthew Ball as The Prince in The Nutcracker, The Royal Ballet © 2017 ROH, photo by Karolina Kuras

The #OurHouseToYourHouse tag continues to sizzle with the announcement that The Royal Ballet will stream its modified Nutcracker on 22 December 2020. The Nutcracker Reworked is a Covid-safe … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet to stream The Nutcracker Reworked on 22 December with Naghdi and Ball

The Royal Ballet is Back on Stage – Friday 9 October

23 September 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Live From Covent Garden rehearsals with Vadim Muntagirov 19 June 2020

The Royal Ballet is Back on Stage, returning for a live-streamed performance from the stage of Covent Garden on Friday 9 October at 7.30pm. After an absence of seven … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet is Back on Stage – Friday 9 October

[Interview] The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi: a time to reflect

6 August 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Yasmine Naghdi in rehearsal for Tarantella, The Royal Ballet © 2017 ROH. Photograph by Bill Cooper

I’ve interviewed The Royal Ballet’s principal ballerina Yasmine Naghdi several times over the past five years. The first time, she was a soloist and preparing to debut as Juliet with Matthew Ball as … [Read more...] about [Interview] The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi: a time to reflect

#OurHouseToYourHouse: tonight’s Royal Opera House’s 2nd live concert and next week’s programme

20 June 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

ROH Auditorium. (c) ROH, 2016. Photographed by Sim Canetty Clarke.

2nd Concert: Saturday 20 June Tonight is the second of the Live from Covent Garden concerts at 7.30pm BST which will be broadcast via the Royal Opera House website from Covent Garden. These are the … [Read more...] about #OurHouseToYourHouse: tonight’s Royal Opera House’s 2nd live concert and next week’s programme

Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson – so much passion

2 May 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Lauren Cuthbertson by Clive Barda

On 14 March 2020, The Royal Ballet’s principal dancer Lauren Cuthbertson was dancing Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. A rare honour. She was partnered by former … [Read more...] about Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson – so much passion

Free reading from Dancing Times – the complete archive is available from 2000

1 April 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dancing Times

Dancing Times has opened up the last 20 years of its archives to all until 7 April. The monthly magazine has its think pieces, reviews, articles about technique, dance’s past and present, but I … [Read more...] about Free reading from Dancing Times – the complete archive is available from 2000

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Gramilano newsletter 2019

INTERVIEWS

Christopher Marney, photo by ASH crop

Interview: Artistic Director Christopher Marney on reviving London City Ballet – small is beautiful

Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov in cover art for the Romanza album

Interview with Anna Netrebko on her son, his autism and his abandonment by his father Erwin Schrott

Anna Muromtseva crop

Ukrainian ballerina Anna Muromtseva: Escaping from Kyiv

Mariposa by DeNada photo by Joe Armitage, crop

Interview: Choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra on Mariposa – a Queer Tragedy inspired by Puccini’s Madama Butterfly

Yasmine Naghdi prepares for Gamzatti, photo by Dasa Wharton 16

Interviews with 3 Royal Ballet principals: Nuñez, Cuthbertson, Naghdi

Bolshoi Ballet director on injury, race, harassment and a new theatre

Elite Syncopations. Sarah Lamb and Ryoichi Hirano. © ROH, 2018. Photographed by Tristram Kenton

[Interview] The Royal Ballet’s director, Kevin O’Hare, on returning to the Covent Garden stage

Michael Fabiano, photo by Jiyang Chen crop

[Interview] “Me and my voice” American tenor Michael Fabiano on music and other passions

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GRAMILANO

Graham Spicer, aka 'Gramilano', is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. 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, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.

Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.

He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.

Since 2022, Gramilano has been pleased to welcome guest authors: Paul Arrowsmith, Donatella Bertozzi, Georgina Butler, Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel, Jonathan Gray, Marina Harss, Ann Haskins, Lily Hyde, Marta Mele, Matthew Paluch, Jann Parry, Lucía Piquero, Graham Watts, Deborah Weiss, and Lydia Wharf.

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