The preface to Incontro con la danza (Encounters with Dance) is by writer Paola Calvetti, who opens with: “Anna Maria Prina has always been the ‘Director’,” the ‘direttrice’. ‘La’ Prina (as the … [Read more...] about Review: the autobiography of Anna Maria Prina, director of La Scala Ballet School for more than three decades
Mick Zeni
[Review & Photos] La Scala Ballet School performs Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante and Pistoni’s La Strada
There are kids who spend their spare time alone in their bedrooms scrolling through Instagram feeds or gaming, and there are those who take part in end of term dance shows after training regularly … [Read more...] about [Review & Photos] La Scala Ballet School performs Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante and Pistoni’s La Strada
La Strada with Alina Cojocaru – “ingenious” choreography and “excellent” dancers in an “incoherent” production [Review and Photo Albums]
Jann Parry sees Acworkroom's production of La Strada TitleLa StradaCompanyAcworkroomVenueSadler’s Wells Theatre, LondonDate25 January 2024ReviewerJann Parry From the publicity image of Alina … [Read more...] about La Strada with Alina Cojocaru – “ingenious” choreography and “excellent” dancers in an “incoherent” production [Review and Photo Albums]
Alina Cojocaru is joined by La Scala’s former principal dancer Mick Zeni in La Strada
A new two-act ballet based on Federico Fellini’s La Strada will premiere at Sadler’s Wells from 25 - 28 January 2024. Performing the lead role of Gelsomina is former Principal of The … [Read more...] about Alina Cojocaru is joined by La Scala’s former principal dancer Mick Zeni in La Strada
[Photo album] First look at La Scala’s new Bayadère
After Covid infections forced the premiere and subsequent performances to be cancelled, Monday 21 December will finally see the opening night of La Scala's new production of Rudolf Nureyev's La … [Read more...] about [Photo album] First look at La Scala’s new Bayadère
Dancing Times magazine’s August 2021 edition with Danza in Italia and queer representation in ballet
Dancing Times’ latest edition is out, and the Gramilano Danza in Italia column talks about Carla Fracci’s appearance in a 12-part televised documentary series about La Scala’s ballet company at a time … [Read more...] about Dancing Times magazine’s August 2021 edition with Danza in Italia and queer representation in ballet
La Scala’s enthralling Contemporary Evening is a triumph
The Contemporary Evening was a triumph, with seven works: a contemporary ‘classic’, some lesser-known pieces, and a new creation. La Scala is finding it difficult to attract audiences back to the … [Read more...] about La Scala’s enthralling Contemporary Evening is a triumph
Tribute to Nureyev – free ballet gala streaming from La Scala
A strong thread ties Rudolf Nureyev to La Scala, where he was acclaimed not only as a dancer but also as a choreographer. Nureyev has equally strong ties to La Scala Ballet's new director, Manuel … [Read more...] about Tribute to Nureyev – free ballet gala streaming from La Scala
Giselle: free streamed performance from La Scala with two casts
Giselle will be streamed from La Scala this evening, Saturday 30 January, at 20.00 CET. The ballet was filmed over two days, without an audience, and will be offered to viewers worldwide via the state … [Read more...] about Giselle: free streamed performance from La Scala with two casts
Online: Carla Fracci gives two Giselle masterclasses from La Scala
Carla Fracci is perhaps most famous for her performances as Giselle, so how right that she should return to the theatre where her career started to coach the young dancers who will be performing the … [Read more...] about Online: Carla Fracci gives two Giselle masterclasses from La Scala
Carla Fracci and Manuel Legris’ Giselle masterclass from La Scala online
La Scala will stream a new recording of Giselle on 30 January. There will be two casts in the principal roles, including a debut, with eight of the company’s principal dancers and soloists in Yvette … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci and Manuel Legris’ Giselle masterclass from La Scala online
La Scala’s principal dancers to celebrate International Dance Day
International Dance Day is a global celebration of dance. It has been celebrated each year since 1982 on 29 April, which is the anniversary of the birth of Jean-Georges … [Read more...] about La Scala’s principal dancers to celebrate International Dance Day
Review: Enthralling programme of 5 works by Hans van Manen and Roland Petit at La Scala
An unusual mixed bill at La Scala showcased the works of two choreographers: Hans van Manen and Roland Petit. Two of the van Manen pieces were new to the company, though his Adagio Hammerklavier, … [Read more...] about Review: Enthralling programme of 5 works by Hans van Manen and Roland Petit at La Scala
Save the best until last – La Scala’s triple bill shows a company in excellent form
Save the best until last. Not a bad programming policy, and with La Scala’s recent triple bill, the last was Maurice Béjart’s Boléro. Obviously, with the first item on the programme being George … [Read more...] about Save the best until last – La Scala’s triple bill shows a company in excellent form
Photo Album: Opening night at La Scala – Roberto Bolle in Bolero, Symphony in C, Petite Mort
BALANCHINE / KYLIÁN / BÉJART Opening night: Saturday 16 November 2019 SYMPHONY IN C Music Georges Bizet Choreography George Balanchine © School of American Ballet Revived by Patricia … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Opening night at La Scala – Roberto Bolle in Bolero, Symphony in C, Petite Mort
Review: Giselle at La Scala with Zakharova/Hallberg, Manni/Andrijashenko, Valerio/Coviello
Giselle is one of La Scala Ballet’s international calling cards. Together with Nureyev’s Don Quixote, this production has been seen all over the world, and rightly so. The company dances it … [Read more...] about Review: Giselle at La Scala with Zakharova/Hallberg, Manni/Andrijashenko, Valerio/Coviello
Photo Album: Giselle at La Scala with Svetlana Zakharova and David Hallberg
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
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
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
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 … [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 … [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
Zakharova, Bolle and Manni are excellent Principals in La Dame aux Camélias, but Andrijashenko steals the show at La Scala
Svetlana Zakharova and Roberto Bolle have both danced the lead roles in John Neumeier's La Dame aux Camélias, but never together. La Scala united its two Étoiles for the opening of its ballet season. … [Read more...] about Zakharova, Bolle and Manni are excellent Principals in La Dame aux Camélias, but Andrijashenko steals the show at La Scala
The extraordinary talent of Marianela Nuñez dominates Onegin at La Scala
The extraordinary talent of Marianela Nuñez dominated this performance of Onegin at La Scala. From her opening, distracted scenes to her final act of resolve, Tatiana’s emotional arc was perfectly … [Read more...] about The extraordinary talent of Marianela Nuñez dominates Onegin at La Scala
Ratmansky’s Swan Lake delights once again at La Scala: music and choreography restored
Such was La Scala’s confidence in Alexei Ratmansky’s Swan Lake that even before its premiere in Milan in June 2016 — the co-production with Zurich had had its world premiere four months earlier — it … [Read more...] about Ratmansky’s Swan Lake delights once again at La Scala: music and choreography restored
First look: Stravinsky ballet evening at La Scala conducted by Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta will be conducting La Scala’s orchestra for a Stravinsky double-bill with the theatre’s ballet company: Petrushka and The Rite of Spring. Michel Fokine’s choreography and Alexandre … [Read more...] about First look: Stravinsky ballet evening at La Scala conducted by Zubin Mehta
La Scala Ballet returns to Paris with Ratmansky’s Swan Lake
After the success in Milan before the summer, La Scala now takes Alexei Ratmansky’s Swan Lake to Paris for six performances at the Palais des Congrès. The production was coproduced with the Opernhaus … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet returns to Paris with Ratmansky’s Swan Lake
Martina Arduino in Ratmansky’s Swan Lake – a ballet star is born at La Scala?
If you visit NASA’s website, they define a protostar as the “hot core at the heart of the collapsing cloud that will one day become a star”. 19-year-old Martina Arduino, who graduated from La Scala’s … [Read more...] about Martina Arduino in Ratmansky’s Swan Lake – a ballet star is born at La Scala?
Countdown to Ratmansky’s Swan Lake – photos and video interview
Tonight's the night. One of the most anticipated of La Scala's season. The debut of Alexei Ratmansky's reconstruction of Petipa and Ivanov's Swan Lake. The production is a co-production with Zurich … [Read more...] about Countdown to Ratmansky’s Swan Lake – photos and video interview
My Big Fat Italian Ballet Gala
The Gala des Étoiles at La Scala made me feel as though I’d eaten all the icing on the cake: happy, but a little woozy. Don Q? Check! Corsaire? Check! Manon and Romeo and Juliet? Check! Spartacus? … [Read more...] about My Big Fat Italian Ballet Gala