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Mick Zeni

[Photo album] First look at La Scala’s new Bayadère

19 December 2021 by Gramilano 6 Comments

34 - La bayadère - Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko and corps de ballet, photo by Brescia and Amisano © Teatro alla Scala

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

2 August 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

47 Danza in Italia - August_crop

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

12 July 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

BIRDS WALKING ON WATER - Mick Zeni and company, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala (7)

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

25 February 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Lo schiaccianoci 1979/1980

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

30 January 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Giselle, Act Two, photo Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala

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

26 January 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Carla Fracci 1964 Giselle photo Erio Piccagliani crop

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

20 January 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Carla Fracci 1964 Giselle photo Erio Piccagliani crop

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

28 April 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Corps de ballet photo by Marco Brescia Teatro alla Scala

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

24 February 2020 by Gramilano 2 Comments

07 Le combat des anges Claudio Coviello, Marco Agostino, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla 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

6 December 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Martina Arduino in Bolero, photo by Brescia e Amisano 2019 03

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

17 November 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Boléro with Roberto Bolle photo by Brescia e Amisano Teatro alla Scala, 2019 (14)

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

16 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

19 September 2019 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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

8 April 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Woolf Works, Tuesday, with Alessandra Ferri and Company, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2019

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

11 December 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

A design by Margherita Palli for Balanchine's Nutcracker 02

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

28 October 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Emanuela Montanari As Manon, Photo By Brescia E Amisano (2)

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

21 October 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Manon - Svetlana Zakharova e Roberto Bolle, photo Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala, 17 October 2018-04

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

19 October 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Manon - Svetlana Zakharova e Roberto Bolle, photo Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala, 17 October 2018-01

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

5 January 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

La Dame aux Camélias, with Timofej Andrijashenko and Nicoletta Manni, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2017 01

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

2 October 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Marianela Nuñez with Roberto Bolle in Onegin, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2017

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

19 July 2017 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Swan Lake, photo by Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala

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

11 February 2017 by Gramilano 9 Comments

Petrushka with Maurizio Licitra, Mick Zeni and Nicoletta Manni 3

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

26 October 2016 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Nicoletta Manni, Timofej Andrijashenko, and Christian Fagetti as Benno   photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2016

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?

14 July 2016 by Gramilano 15 Comments

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 … [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

30 June 2016 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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

3 November 2015 by Gramilano 15 Comments

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

Full programme of la Scala’s Gala des Étoiles – 30 and 31 October

27 October 2015 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Below is the full programme of Gala des Étoiles, at La Scala on 30 and 31 October. The Gala will be transmitted live by Italian television, Rai, on Rai5, and in cinemas internationally both live and … [Read more...] about Full programme of la Scala’s Gala des Étoiles – 30 and 31 October

Excelsior in Milan is more than just a big, brash ballet extravaganza

19 July 2015 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Excelsior has returned to the stage at La Scala and what better choice for the Milan Expo period than this joyous ballet, which fills the stage with more than a hundred dancers waving national flags … [Read more...] about Excelsior in Milan is more than just a big, brash ballet extravaganza

Vasiliev is still a jeune homme… careful Ivan!

31 May 2014 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Ivan Vasiliev is a powerful performer, both physically and emotionally. His prowess in ballet pyrotechnics - the leaps, the turns - has brought him fame throughout the world. But he's no circus … [Read more...] about Vasiliev is still a jeune homme… careful Ivan!

Hallberg and Zakharova: a sublime couple in Nureyev’s Swan Lake in Milan

18 April 2014 by Gramilano 3 Comments

David Hallberg's reception at La Scala was rapturous. He is making his house début in Milan as well as tackling Rudolf Nureyev's tricky choreography for Swan Lake for the first time. Loud cries of … [Read more...] about Hallberg and Zakharova: a sublime couple in Nureyev’s Swan Lake in Milan

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GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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