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Mikhail Baryshnikov

[Photo Album] First photos of The Royal Ballet’s Ashton Triple Bill

23 April 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Sarah Lamb and Vadim Muntagirov in Scenes de ballet photo by Helen Maybanks ROH

Tonight, Saturday 23 April, The Royal Opera House curtain goes up on a triple bill of ballets by Frederick Ashton: Scènes de ballet, A Month in the Country, and Rhapsody. Frederick Ashton, The … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] First photos of The Royal Ballet’s Ashton Triple Bill

[Interview] Alessandra Ferri, part two: “When dance saved me”

22 April 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

GALA FRACCI - L'heure exquise - Alessandra Ferri Carsten Jung - photo by Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala (4)

When I was three, I was already living out stories in my head and had the feeling of another reality calling me. Even though my parents didn't go to the theatre, I said, “I want to go to dance … [Read more...] about [Interview] Alessandra Ferri, part two: “When dance saved me”

Mikhail Baryshnikov

Gramilano dance quotes

I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself. Mikhail Baryshnikov   … [Read more...] about Mikhail Baryshnikov

[Interview] Baryshnikov on the Venice Biennale, death and laying himself bare

29 June 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Mikhail Baryshnikov in Not Once crop

Mikhail Baryshnikov will open this year’s Biennale di Venezia – virtually – in the world premiere of Not Once, an ‘art installation with film’ by Jan Fabre, the Belgian multidisciplinary artist: … [Read more...] about [Interview] Baryshnikov on the Venice Biennale, death and laying himself bare

Wayne McGregor on the harm of touch-by-tech and his inspirational Biennale

15 April 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Wayne McGregor in Venice © La Biennale di Venezia 2021

Philosopher Matthew Fulkerson wrote: It is through touch that we are able to interact directly with the world; it is our primary conduit of both pleasure and pain. Touch may be our most immediate … [Read more...] about Wayne McGregor on the harm of touch-by-tech and his inspirational Biennale

The Venice Biennale – Dance 2021 with Wayne McGregor

14 April 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Odyssey - Compagnie Herve Koubi, photo by Frédérique Calloch

Between July and September, the Venice Biennale becomes an international stage for the performing arts and for 2021 Wayne McGregor takes up the reins of the dance section until 2023. Participants … [Read more...] about The Venice Biennale – Dance 2021 with Wayne McGregor

Duets and solos in the open-air – live dance returns to Italy

23 July 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Hugo Marchand, happy to be back, dancing A Suite of Dances © Graham Spicer

The first live dance event in Italy took place at the Nervi International Festival of Ballet and Music, opening the two-week festival in Nervi’s coastal park with a backdrop to the stage of palm trees … [Read more...] about Duets and solos in the open-air – live dance returns to Italy

[Video] Where We Are – top UK dancers are alone/together with a different take on isolation

12 June 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Francesca Hayward in Where We Are

There have been many film montages of dancers, musicians and others from the performing arts, celebrating their art in lockdown, reconnecting with their audience and colleagues via solo performances … [Read more...] about [Video] Where We Are – top UK dancers are alone/together with a different take on isolation

Italy’s first post-lockdown dance event is announced

9 June 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

The Swan with Sergio Bernal © Graham Spicer, Daniele Cipriani Entertainment 4

After theatres were forced to close their doors three months ago, in Italy there is some tentative nudging to open them creating a chink of hope. As with the Arena in Verona, Pesaro and other summer … [Read more...] about Italy’s first post-lockdown dance event is announced

Darcey Bussell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

23 May 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Darcey Bussell Dances Hollywood

Q&A When did you start dancing? At 5, in the Mercury Theatre behind where I lived in Notting Hill. Ballet Rambert used to use the studios as well. Why did you start dancing? I had knocked … [Read more...] about Darcey Bussell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

American Ballet Theatre: Together Tonight – an 80th Anniversary YouTube celebration

11 May 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

ABT 80th Anniversary

May 2020 was to have been a special month for the American Ballet Theatre – the time to celebrate its 80th anniversary. American Ballet Theatre – known as Ballet Theatre from 1939 until 1957 – was … [Read more...] about American Ballet Theatre: Together Tonight – an 80th Anniversary YouTube celebration

Alessandro Macario answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

3 November 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Alessandro Macario in Coppélia by Roland Petit, Teatro San Carlo

Q&A   in italiano When did you start dancing? I started dancing when I was four. Why did you start dancing? My uncle was a dancer and ran a ballet school, so I’m sure that I began dancing … [Read more...] about Alessandro Macario answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Photo Album: Don Quixote at La Scala with with Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko

11 July 2018 by Gramilano 2 Comments

18   Don Quixote with Nicoletta Manni, Timofej Andrijashenko © Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2018 (6)

In 1959, Rudolf Nureyev, with Ninel Kourgapkina as Kitri, danced Basilio for the first time at the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad. He was 20. After he defected to the West in 1961, the role became his … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Don Quixote at La Scala with with Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko

Interview with ENB Principal Isaac Hernandez : I’m dreaming of seeing real change

8 April 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Isaac Hernandez

It was a strange feeling that all the work a person can do in their lifetime, seven days a week of dedicating your life, goes out the window and is not even mentioned, is put aside for a headline. It … [Read more...] about Interview with ENB Principal Isaac Hernandez : I’m dreaming of seeing real change

Béjart’s Boléro returns to La Scala with Roberto Bolle and others debuting on the red table

28 February 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Bolero   Roberto Bolle © Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala, 2018 01

Maurice Béjart’s Boléro returns to La Scala in March, with Roberto Bolle dancing the La Mélodie for the first time. The 15-minute work was last seen in the theatre in 2003 when Sylvie Guillem danced … [Read more...] about Béjart’s Boléro returns to La Scala with Roberto Bolle and others debuting on the red table

Interview with The Royal Ballet’s hot couple: Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell

16 February 2018 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Giselle with Alexander Campbell as Albrecht and Francesca Hayward as Giselle. © ROH, Helen Maybanks 2018 (3)

Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell are quickly becoming The Royal Ballet's ‘couple to see’. After recent successes dancing Clara and the Nutcracker, as well as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her … [Read more...] about Interview with The Royal Ballet’s hot couple: Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell

Gregory Reinhart answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

19 August 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Don Quixote, photo by Heloisa Bortz ©2016

Q&A When did you start singing? As a child in Upstate New York, every Sunday I was taken to Mass. I loved hearing the songs in Latin, and hearing the choir. I wanted so badly to sing along, … [Read more...] about Gregory Reinhart answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Mikhail Baryshnikov to be special guest at National Ballet of Canada’s MAD HOT BALLET: Northern Lights

31 May 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Mikhail Baryshnikov and Karen Kain, photo by Gary Beechey

Karen Kain announced today that Mikhail Baryshnikov will attend this year’s annual fundraising gala, MAD HOT BALLET: Northern Lights as its special guest on 6 June 2017 which celebrates Canada’s … [Read more...] about Mikhail Baryshnikov to be special guest at National Ballet of Canada’s MAD HOT BALLET: Northern Lights

Vladimir Shklyarov answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

7 August 2016 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Q&A   [на русском языке] When did you start dancing? I’ve suffered since childhood — my Mum wanted me to do it. Why did you start dancing? Because I was forced to… I didn’t want … [Read more...] about Vladimir Shklyarov answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Alexander Campbell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

8 July 2016 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Q&A When did you start dancing? I started dancing aged 5. Why did you start dancing? My Grandmother was teaching at a ballet school at the time and apparently I showed an interest after … [Read more...] about Alexander Campbell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Albert Ayzenberg photographing dancers, “it’s not just about capturing a beautiful silhouette”

7 May 2016 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Photographer Albert Ayzenberg was born in the Ukraine, transferring to the United States when he was a child. It was there that he received his first camera. Since I was a little boy I've been … [Read more...] about Albert Ayzenberg photographing dancers, “it’s not just about capturing a beautiful silhouette”

18-year-old Vincenzo di Primo on winning at Lausanne and studying at the Vienna Ballet Academy

4 April 2016 by Gramilano 4 Comments

18-year-old Vincenzo di Primo was one of the seven winners at the annual Prix de Lausanne, taking away the Albert Amon Foundation scholarship which will give him the opportunity to train for a year at … [Read more...] about 18-year-old Vincenzo di Primo on winning at Lausanne and studying at the Vienna Ballet Academy

Baryshnikov is extraordinary as Nijinsky in Letter to a Man

16 September 2015 by Gramilano 6 Comments

Aged fifty, Virginia Woolf wrote in her diary, I don't believe in ageing. I believe in forever altering one's aspect to the sun. This is exactly what Mikhail Baryshnikov has been doing for the past … [Read more...] about Baryshnikov is extraordinary as Nijinsky in Letter to a Man

Carla Fracci 79 (today) to Roberto Bolle 40

21 August 2015 by Gramilano 9 Comments

Today Carla Fracci turns 79∗ and during August, she has been performing once again. Roberto Bolle is half her age and at 40 shows no sign of ending his career on stage. In 2007 Bolle famously … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci 79 (today) to Roberto Bolle 40

Mikhail Baryshnikov: Time is cruel

14 August 2015 by Gramilano 1 Comment

After the success of Letter to a Man at the Spoleto Festival in July, Mikhail Baryshnikov will resume his role as Nijinsky on 11 September for a two-week run in Milan. Once again, he is … [Read more...] about Mikhail Baryshnikov: Time is cruel

Mara Galeazzi on Ferri, The Royal Ballet, Woolf Works and retiring

8 May 2015 by Gramilano 2 Comments

The Royal Ballet’s new few-length ballet, Woolf Works, brings two Italian ex-Royal Ballet dancers back to Covent Garden. Alessandra Ferri, who returned to dancing two years ago after seven years of … [Read more...] about Mara Galeazzi on Ferri, The Royal Ballet, Woolf Works and retiring

Royal Ballet Season 2015 – 2016 with 4 World Premières

15 April 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Four World Premières feature in the line-up for the Royal Ballet's 2015 - 2016 Season and, for the first time, all three of The Royal Ballet's associated choreographers present new works for the main … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet Season 2015 – 2016 with 4 World Premières

Baryshnikov and Bob Wilson take on Nijinsky in Milan: Letter to a Man

25 March 2015 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Mikhail Baryshnikov and Bob Wilson have been in Milan rehearsing their new project: Letter to a Man, inspired by the diaries of Vaslav Nijinsky, The diaries were written in six months in 1919 – says … [Read more...] about Baryshnikov and Bob Wilson take on Nijinsky in Milan: Letter to a Man

En Avant’s next ballet projects include a special encounter with Marcelo Gomes

13 March 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The En Avant Foundation will present specialised coaching master classes for advanced pre-professional and professional dancers in San Francisco and in New York in April 2015. The Foundation's … [Read more...] about En Avant’s next ballet projects include a special encounter with Marcelo Gomes

Marcia Haydée answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

1 November 2014 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Q&A When did you start dan­cing? When I was three years-old. Why did you start dan­cing? I was born to dance! Which dan­cer inspired you most as a child? Margot Fonteyn. Which dan­cer … [Read more...] about Marcia Haydée answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

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Principal Brandon Lawrence to leave Birmingham Royal Ballet to join Ballett Zürich

Two new opera recordings to be released by Warner Classics/Erato

Four new Principal dancers for New York City Ballet

LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live

Royal Ballet principal dancer Laura Morera to retire

Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Principal dancer Jared Angle to give final performance with NYCB

The Australian Ballet will tour to the Royal Opera House in August 2023

Les Étoiles – the starry Rome gala at the end of January, now with two programmes

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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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