The La Scala Ballet usually fields a first cast, and several alternative casts, but not with Wayne McGregor’s Woolf Works – here it was very much a case of a first cast and a second cast. The first featured two guests from the original Royal Opera House production from 2015 – Alessandra Ferri and Federico Bonelli – and most of the company’s principal dancers; the second cast … [Read more...] about McGregor’s Woolf Works thrills and enthralls at La Scala
Mattia Semperboni
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
Lescaut almost steals the show among excellent performances in Manon at La Scala
I wonder how many reviews of Manon start by appraising the portrayal of Lescaut. A very important character of course, but certainly he has less plot points or stage time than Des Grieux and the eponymous heroine. At La Scala, in the cast of 27 October, Lescaut was played, quite brilliantly, by Walter Madau.Madau is a member of the corps de ballet but is often favoured for … [Read more...] about Lescaut almost steals the show among excellent performances in Manon at La Scala
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