A new production of La Bayadère opened at La Scala a week later than planned after a Covid outbreak forced cancellations of the first performances. The television cameras waited patiently for the … [Read more...] about [Review] La Scala’s Bayadère was a race against time
Natalia Makarova
La Scala cancels all performances of La Bayadère
After delays of the first night of the new production of La Bayadère at La Scala, and the recording on 21 December after a preview performance for young people the previous day, the theatre has now … [Read more...] about La Scala cancels all performances of La Bayadère
Altynai Asylmuratova and Konstantin Zaklinsky’s daughter Anastasia jumps ahead
There is an interesting debut at the Astana Opera House on 30 January: ballet company soloist Anastasia Zaklinskaya will dance the role of Nikiya in La Bayadère. Many will probably not know her … [Read more...] about Altynai Asylmuratova and Konstantin Zaklinsky’s daughter Anastasia jumps ahead
Darcey Bussell answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
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
[VIDEO] Natalia Makarova’s return to dance with the Kirov Ballet in 1988
In London in 1970 the 29-year-old prima ballerina Natalia Makarova, performing with Leningrad's Kirov Ballet (now St Petersburg's Mariinsky Ballet) defected to the West. Then in the summer of 1988 … [Read more...] about [VIDEO] Natalia Makarova’s return to dance with the Kirov Ballet in 1988
Behind the Scenes with Marianela Nuñez: “This is where the magic begins”
“This is Covent Garden.” The recorded announcement reverberates along the platform. I always feel that this is when my ballerina day starts… It’s been 20 years that I’ve come to this station and I … [Read more...] about Behind the Scenes with Marianela Nuñez: “This is where the magic begins”
Interview: For The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi it’s “Ready, Steady, Go”!
Interview with Yasmine Naghdi as she dances in the world premiere of Alastair Marriott’s The Unknown Soldier - with photos by Dasa Wharton I last interviewed Yasmine Naghdi in September of 2015 when … [Read more...] about Interview: For The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi it’s “Ready, Steady, Go”!
Photo Album: La Bayadère with The Royal Ballet – first night with Nuñez, Osipova and Muntagirov
Here are the first photos from the dress rehearsal of tonight's opening cast at The Royal Opera House of Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère. Solor is danced by Vadim Muntagirov, Gamzatti by Natalia … [Read more...] about Photo Album: La Bayadère with The Royal Ballet – first night with Nuñez, Osipova and Muntagirov
Photo Album: preview of tonight’s opening cast of Manon with Francesca Hayward and Federico Bonelli
Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon is revived at Covent Garden as part of continuing celebrations of MacMillan’s profound impact on British ballet, to mark the 25th anniversary of his death. Tonight's opening … [Read more...] about Photo Album: preview of tonight’s opening cast of Manon with Francesca Hayward and Federico Bonelli
Luisa Spinatelli – celebrating the life of the Milanese opera and ballet designer
Luisa Spinatelli… taking tasteful to a higher dimension The Amici della Scala (Friends of La Scala), run by the indefatigable Anna Crespi, gathered together at the association’s spectacular … [Read more...] about Luisa Spinatelli – celebrating the life of the Milanese opera and ballet designer
Royal Ballet stalwart Derek Rencher dies at 82
Derek Rencher, one of the longest serving members of The Royal Ballet, has died at 82. Rencher was born in Birmingham on 6 June 1932. He joined the Sadler's Wells Ballet in 1953 and was promoted to … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet stalwart Derek Rencher dies at 82
Ivan Nagy, Carla Fracci, John Prinz and Natalia Makarova in the 70s
Ivan Nagy, Carla Fracci, John Prinz and Natalia Makarova as captured by photographer Jack Mitchell in the 1970s when all were part of the American Ballet Theatre. … [Read more...] about Ivan Nagy, Carla Fracci, John Prinz and Natalia Makarova in the 70s
Dancer Ivan Nagy dies at 70
Ivan Nagy, one of the great names in dance during the twentieth century, died yesterday in Budapest; he was 70-years-old. Nagy was born on 28 April 1943 in Hungary. He trained first with his mother … [Read more...] about Dancer Ivan Nagy dies at 70
Jurgita Dronina answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I've been dancing since I remember; ballet school at 9. Why did you start dancing? I started with ballroom dancing, then hip-hop and a bit of break dance... … [Read more...] about Jurgita Dronina answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
David Howard, much loved ballet teacher ‘to the stars’, dies at 76
Ballet master David Howard, affectionately known in the media as "Teacher of Stars", has died at 76. Howard trained at what is now the Arts Educational) School and the Royal Academy of Dance, … [Read more...] about David Howard, much loved ballet teacher ‘to the stars’, dies at 76
Cynthia Harvey answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? At age 8. A short time ago. Why did you start dancing? Apparently I preferred it to walking; actually I still do. Music was frequently played at home. My … [Read more...] about Cynthia Harvey answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Natalia Makarova among those receiving the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors
The Kennedy Center Honors award is the nation’s highest honour for those who have influenced American culture through the arts. It comes with a dinner with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton … [Read more...] about Natalia Makarova among those receiving the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors
Mara Galeazzi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? When I was 6. Why did you start dancing? At first was for fun. Which dancer inspired you most as a child? Alessandra Ferri, Carla Fracci and Pina … [Read more...] about Mara Galeazzi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Paul Chalmer answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? Age 6, then National Ballet School, Toronto, age 9. Why did you start dancing? Saw ballet on TV. Which dancer inspired you most as a … [Read more...] about Paul Chalmer answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
David Hallberg and Sergei Filin speak from Moscow
The new soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre ballet company, American David Hallberg, has started rehearsals in Russia. His début on the Bolshoi stage will be in Giselle on November 4. Sergei Filin, the … [Read more...] about David Hallberg and Sergei Filin speak from Moscow
The most luxurious exercise in Giselle compare and contrast since Natalia Makarova and Gelsey Kirkland danced the role at ABT on consecutive nights in 1977
Alastair Macaulay for the New York Times writes: A double climax occurred on Friday and Saturday evenings at the Metropolitan Opera House when the two most idolized interpreters of the title role … [Read more...] about The most luxurious exercise in Giselle compare and contrast since Natalia Makarova and Gelsey Kirkland danced the role at ABT on consecutive nights in 1977
