Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? I started as young girl… for as long as I can remember. Why did you start singing? I started by accident. I was supposed to go to my saxophone class, but I was given the wrong day and time of the lesson, and therefore I found myself attending a voice class. Which singers inspired you the most when you were … [Read more...] about Maria José Siri answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Mikhailovsky Theatre
Ardani’s 25th Anniversary Gala with Osipova, Watson, Vasiliev, Gomes, Matvienko…
Ardani 25 Dance Gala is a must for ballet fans on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th July at the London Coliseum. Natalia Osipova, Edward Watson, Ivan Vasiliev, Marcelo Gomes, Denis Matvienko, Joaquín De Luz and Friedemann Vogel will be sharing the bill in three contemporary pieces. The event marks Ardani Artists’ 25th anniversary. The Company was founded in 1990 by Sergei and … [Read more...] about Ardani’s 25th Anniversary Gala with Osipova, Watson, Vasiliev, Gomes, Matvienko…
Nutcracker-lite at La Scala – très chic Casse-noisette from Geneva
What a disappointment was La Scala's new Nutcracker. A shimmering front-cloth announced "Lo schiaccianoci" as though written in the stars, Tchaikovsky's bewitching overture started and there was that Christmassy buzz of excitement... a feeling that only lasted five minutes or so. With the odd decision to have a narrative voice-over clash against the music - and saying nothing … [Read more...] about Nutcracker-lite at La Scala – très chic Casse-noisette from Geneva
Svetlana Zakharova’s Gala brings the Ukraine to the heart of Russia
Last night, Svetlana Zakharova's Gala Ballet without Borders took place on the Bolshoi stage in Moscow. Ballet stars danced in support of young dancers in war-torn Ukraine. This politically sensitive event was Zakharova's idea: she is Ukrainian and also a People's Artist of Russia, completing her training in Kiev and now a prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theatre, so her feet are … [Read more...] about Svetlana Zakharova’s Gala brings the Ukraine to the heart of Russia
Osipova is missing Hallberg, but hopes to return to the Bolshoi
The applause that greeted Natalia Osipova's return to the Bolshoi stage was enthusiastic. Laura Cappelle wrote in her Financial Times review: The tour marks the Russian superstar’s first performances on the Bolshoi stage since her departure from the company three years ago, and if the breathless reception she got is any indication, she has been missed. Osipova, now a … [Read more...] about Osipova is missing Hallberg, but hopes to return to the Bolshoi
Tsiskaridze: Real ballet dancers are trained in Paris, Moscow or St Petersburg
Forget the Royal Ballet School or the The School of American Ballet, Nikolai Tsiskaridze says there are only three real ballet schools in the world: the Paris Opera Ballet School, the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and the Vaganova Ballet Academy, which he is currently running. I always said there are only three schools in the world: if you want to be a real ballet artist, you must … [Read more...] about Tsiskaridze: Real ballet dancers are trained in Paris, Moscow or St Petersburg
Boss of St Petersberg’s Mikhailovsky Theatre is banned from foreign travel
Bailiffs in St Petersburg have banned the director of the Mikhailovsky Theatre, Vladimir Kekhman, from leaving Russia, said Lenta. Businessman Kekhman has debts exceeding 285 million rubles (7 million euros). The current restriction lasts until 12 August. The Kekhman Group JFC imports fruits, but according to various estimates, the company's debts range from 15.8 to 38.5 … [Read more...] about Boss of St Petersberg’s Mikhailovsky Theatre is banned from foreign travel
The Mikhailovsky Theatre opens its new season tonight with Semionova and Gomes in Giselle
Tonight the Mikhailovsky Theatre opens its 2012-2013 season with Polina Semionova dancing the eponymous heroine in Giselle. Semionova left to join the Berlin Staatsoper immediately after graduating from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. Coincidentally, earlier this week Daniel Barenboim, the Music Director of the Berlin Staatsoper, gave a press conference at the Mikhailovsky where … [Read more...] about The Mikhailovsky Theatre opens its new season tonight with Semionova and Gomes in Giselle
“Who’s pulling the strings in Russia’s ballet revolution?” asks The Observer’s Luke Jennings
The ballet world was surprised when Nacho Duato (ex-director of Spain's Compañía Nacional de Danza) was headhunted by St Petersburg's Mikhailovsky Theatre, maybe enticed by the fat wallet of general director Vladimir Kekhman. He has now been at the company's helm for a year. When Mariinsky star Leonid Sarafanov jumped on board a couple of months later fans were perplexed at him … [Read more...] about “Who’s pulling the strings in Russia’s ballet revolution?” asks The Observer’s Luke Jennings
After Osipova and Vasiliev, Russian tycoon Vladimir Kekhman sets his eyes on David Hallberg
"Russian tycoon Vladimir Kekhman made a fortune selling bananas. Now he has a new mission in life: ballet," says Reuters. The ballet world was rocked a couple of weeks ago when Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev left the Bolshoi to join Kekhman's Mikhailovsky Theatre in St Petersberg. He has already lured Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato from the Compañía Nacional de Danza … [Read more...] about After Osipova and Vasiliev, Russian tycoon Vladimir Kekhman sets his eyes on David Hallberg