Romeo and Juliet by Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti was created for his company Aterballetto in 2006, and has received international acclaim ever since. But what a strange bird it is. Exotic … [Read more...] about Aterballetto’s Romeo and Juliet in Milan: contemporary dance at its highest level
Milan
Aterballetto embarks on a mini dance festival at Milan’s Piccolo Teatro
Aterballetto and its choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti come to Milan's Piccolo Teatro for more than 2 weeks with a mini Festival of their repertory. Kicking off will be the Romeo and Juliet on May 17. It … [Read more...] about Aterballetto embarks on a mini dance festival at Milan’s Piccolo Teatro
Juan Diego Florez talks about his fairy-tale wedding, his fans, and being lazy
On the eve of Juan Diego Florez's Albert Hall concert, The Sunday Times sent a journalist to his home in Pesaro. This beautiful town on Italy's east coast - home to the Rossini Opera Festival, and … [Read more...] about Juan Diego Florez talks about his fairy-tale wedding, his fans, and being lazy
Unseen photos: Carla Fracci and Rudolf Nureyev at La Scala in the 1970s
An unpublished photograph of Carla Fracci and Rudolf Nureyev in Giselle at Milan's Teatro alla Scala in 1974 … [Read more...] about Unseen photos: Carla Fracci and Rudolf Nureyev at La Scala in the 1970s
Daniela Barcellona at La Scala: big girls can be sexy too!
To those who have witnessed Daniela Barcellona only on the operatic stage, it may come as a surprise to learn that she is a convincing and elegant artist on the recital platform. All images of … [Read more...] about Daniela Barcellona at La Scala: big girls can be sexy too!
Priscilla the Musical gives the Milan catwalks an added dash of kitsch
Today is carnival day in Milan: Sabato Grasso. It comes later than all the other carnival celebrations, and this year Milan was blessed with a 20°C sunny day which gave the tourists a good excuse to … [Read more...] about Priscilla the Musical gives the Milan catwalks an added dash of kitsch
New YouTube video: Manon, Act 1, the bedroom pas de deux with Sylvie Guillem and Massimo Murru
At the beginning of 2011 an extraordinary happening occurred in the ballet world... Sylvie Guillem, who had almost given up her pointe shoes and had been focusing on contemporary dance, returned to … [Read more...] about New YouTube video: Manon, Act 1, the bedroom pas de deux with Sylvie Guillem and Massimo Murru
New YouTube video: Manon Act 2, the party scene, with Sylvie Guillem
At the beginning of 2011 an extraordinary happening occurred in the ballet world: Sylvie Guillem, who had almost given up her pointe shoes and had been focusing on contemporary dance, returned to one … [Read more...] about New YouTube video: Manon Act 2, the party scene, with Sylvie Guillem
Zakharova and Fracci hit back at La Scala dancer’s anorexia claims: “she’s an unknown in search of publicity”
The anorexia scandal, started by Teatro alla Scala ballerina Mariafrancesca Garritano, which has had echoes worldwide, at first led to indignation by the public and fellow dancers alike when the … [Read more...] about Zakharova and Fracci hit back at La Scala dancer’s anorexia claims: “she’s an unknown in search of publicity”
Anorexia at La Scala: here’s the other side of the argument
The La Scala anorexia scandal rolls on... Valeria Crippa, in Italy's Corriere della Sera, has been listening to the other side of the argument, as sacked dancer Mariafrancesca Garritano's … [Read more...] about Anorexia at La Scala: here’s the other side of the argument
La Scala ballerina, who denounced eating disorders in the company, is fired
"One ballerina in five at La Scala suffers from an eating disorder", denounced Mariafrancesca Garritano (known on social networks and as an author also as Mary Garret) to The Observer … [Read more...] about La Scala ballerina, who denounced eating disorders in the company, is fired
The Trocks return to Milan’s Teatro Arcimboldi for Christmas
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, usually referred to as as The Trocks, return to Milan's Teatro Arcimboldi for two performances on December 26 and 27. Founded in 1974 by a group of ballet … [Read more...] about The Trocks return to Milan’s Teatro Arcimboldi for Christmas
Roberto Bolle reveals what’s in his fridge…
In Italy's Corriere della Sera supplement, Io Donna, Roberto Bolle is one of several celebrities to open his fridge door for the cameras in an article about "We are what we eat". He talked to Carlo … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle reveals what’s in his fridge…
Priscilla struts into Milan in her high-heels… and will survive!
in italiano by Stefania Clerici “True colors are beautiful, like a rainbow” sang Cyndi Lauper in the 80s…and true, spectacular and multi-coloured are the sets, lights, costumes and music of the … [Read more...] about Priscilla struts into Milan in her high-heels… and will survive!
A ballerina speaks out: Mariafrancesca Garritano, La Scala soloist, talks frankly about the eating-disorders which plague the company
Sant'Ambrogio (Saint Ambrose) is Milan's patron saint, and on his Saint's Day, 7th December, Milan's opera house La Scala opens its new season. However, one of the ballet soloists has chosen the eve … [Read more...] about A ballerina speaks out: Mariafrancesca Garritano, La Scala soloist, talks frankly about the eating-disorders which plague the company
Priscilla Queen of the Desert kicks off its heels in Milan
"Every conceivable surface has been decked with sequins, spattered with coloured lights, plastered in mirrored chips or trimmed in feathers and fringe in “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” said the New … [Read more...] about Priscilla Queen of the Desert kicks off its heels in Milan
75 year-old Carla Fracci, receives Milan’s Carlo Porta Award
A youthful Carla Fracci, at 75, receives Milan's prestigious Carlo Porta Award yesterday at Teatro Manzoni. … [Read more...] about 75 year-old Carla Fracci, receives Milan’s Carlo Porta Award
Sylvie Guillem’s triumphal return to Manon: the final pas de deux [video]
At the beginning of 2011 an extraordinary happening occurred in the ballet world: Sylvie Guillem, who had almost given up her pointe shoes and had been focusing on contemporary dance, returned to one … [Read more...] about Sylvie Guillem’s triumphal return to Manon: the final pas de deux [video]
Armani luxury hotel opens in Milan – close to La Scala and via Montenapoleone
Giorgio Armani opened a luxury hotel in the centre of Milan today. It is in via Manzoni, near to La Scala, the Montenapoleone shopping district, and that other great Milanese hotel Grand Hotel et de … [Read more...] about Armani luxury hotel opens in Milan – close to La Scala and via Montenapoleone
The opera world’s Angelina Jolie, Nino Machaidze: It’s useless to be nervous
Nino Machaidze, the 28-year-old soprano from Georgia, graduate of Milan's Teatro alla Scala Academia, is in Los Angeles with Romeo and Juliet which is boomeranging her around the world's opera houses … [Read more...] about The opera world’s Angelina Jolie, Nino Machaidze: It’s useless to be nervous
La Scala’s Raymonda “is a true banquet: pomp, circumstance, and an entire world on stage”, says the Financial Times
The Financial Times visited Milan's historic theatre to witness Sergei Vikharev’s reconstruction of Raymonda - a production which is sending ripples of interest and excitement around the ballet … [Read more...] about La Scala’s Raymonda “is a true banquet: pomp, circumstance, and an entire world on stage”, says the Financial Times
La Raymonda – La Scala 2011 – Novikova, Vogel – 11 video extracts on YouTube
All the Raymonda variations from the reconstruction of the ballet at Milan's Teatro alla Scala with Olesia Novikova, and de Brienne's variation with Friedemann Vogel, are now available on … [Read more...] about La Raymonda – La Scala 2011 – Novikova, Vogel – 11 video extracts on YouTube
Olesia Novikova and Friedemann Vogel in Raymonda from La Scala… Live (-ish)
The reconstructed ballet Raymonda, that debuted earlier this month at Milan's La Scala, will be broadcast this evening at 21.30 on Rai5 in a delayed broadcast. Whether the hour and a half difference … [Read more...] about Olesia Novikova and Friedemann Vogel in Raymonda from La Scala… Live (-ish)
Angela Gheorghiu risks the ire of Callas fans again with her new CD
In two weeks' time EMI will launch a new CD by Angela Gheorghiu: "Homage To Maria Callas - Favourite Opera Arias" In 2007 the soprano made her début at Milan's La Scala. Her first steps onto the … [Read more...] about Angela Gheorghiu risks the ire of Callas fans again with her new CD
The Times celebrates Milan’s Raymonda… but why?
Milan's newspaper, the most influential Italian paper, Il Corriere della Sera, almost ignored La Raymonda at La Scala last week, with Valeria Crippa's short article dismissing it quickly. Here the … [Read more...] about The Times celebrates Milan’s Raymonda… but why?
‘Restored’ video of Rudolf Nureyev’s version of Romeo and Juliet with Carla Fracci and Margot Fonteyn, now on YouTube
In 1983, Rudolf Nureyev's version of Romeo and Juliet was filmed in Milan, and broadcast in Italy and in Britain on Boxing day of the same year. It stars Carla Fracci as his Juliet and the … [Read more...] about ‘Restored’ video of Rudolf Nureyev’s version of Romeo and Juliet with Carla Fracci and Margot Fonteyn, now on YouTube
Marie-Agnès Gillot in Milan for Pippo Delbono’s “After The Battle”
This is how The New York Times introduced Delbono to its readership in an interview last year: Part theater, part dance, part carnival, part music, the works of Pippo Delbono are hard to … [Read more...] about Marie-Agnès Gillot in Milan for Pippo Delbono’s “After The Battle”
Barenboim named as La Scala’s musical director
Daniel Barenboim has been named musical director of Milan's iconic La Scala opera house, filling a post left vacant when Riccardo Muti stormed out in 2005 amid artistic differences. Barenboim, 68, who … [Read more...] about Barenboim named as La Scala’s musical director
La Scala’s Makhar Vaziev: It’s our first time in Oman, but we really hope it isn’t our last”
When Makhar Vaziev, the artistic director of Milan's Scala Ballet, first received an invitation for the company to perform at a new opera house in Muscat, he admits he drew a blank. Honestly, when we … [Read more...] about La Scala’s Makhar Vaziev: It’s our first time in Oman, but we really hope it isn’t our last”
So what was Italy’s ballerina Carla Fracci doing in the tram depot?
The Milanese transport company is 80 years old. But why was Italy's most famous ballerina celebrating with the tram drivers? Well, her father was one, and famously rang his tram's bell as he passed … [Read more...] about So what was Italy’s ballerina Carla Fracci doing in the tram depot?