Teatro alla Scala is dedicating the opening of its 2025/2026 ballet season to Giorgio Armani, who died in September. Sleeping Beauty opens tomorrow, 18 December 2025, and in the foyer, an exhibition … [Read more...] about Giorgio Armani at La Scala exhibition opens and the opening of La Scala’s 2025/2026 Ballet Season is dedicated to the designer
Nicola Del Freo
Review: La Scala Ballet in Pierre Lacotte’s Paquita – a triumph for Nicoletta Manni
Graham Spicer sees Paquita at La Scala – a tribute to choreographer Pierre Lacotte, who died in 2023, but it was Nicoletta Manni's night. TitlePaquitaCompanyLa Scala BalletVenueTeatro alla Scala, … [Read more...] about Review: La Scala Ballet in Pierre Lacotte’s Paquita – a triumph for Nicoletta Manni
Review: Gala Fracci 2025 – Marianela Nuñez and Reece Clarke join La Scala Ballet to celebrate Carla Fracci
Graham Spicer sees Gala Fracci, La Scala’s annual festa to celebrate the great Italian ballerina Carla Fracci who died in 2021, now in its fourth edition. TitleGala FracciCompanyLa Scala … [Read more...] about Review: Gala Fracci 2025 – Marianela Nuñez and Reece Clarke join La Scala Ballet to celebrate Carla Fracci
A new Carmen at La Scala – Roberto Bolle and Nicoletta Manni star in Patrick de Bana’s new work
Carmen is Patrick de Bana’s first work created for La Scala Ballet. De Bana delves into the mythology, culture, perfumes and icons of Spain filtered through his own personal experience, to reinforce … [Read more...] about A new Carmen at La Scala – Roberto Bolle and Nicoletta Manni star in Patrick de Bana’s new work
Review: Rudolf Nureyev’s The Nutcracker at La Scala – outstanding five-star dancing
Graham Spicer sees Rudolf Nureyev’s The Nutcracker at La Scala – some odd dramatic choices but the company has never looked so good. TitleThe NutcrackerCompanyLa Scala BalletVenueTeatro alla … [Read more...] about Review: Rudolf Nureyev’s The Nutcracker at La Scala – outstanding five-star dancing
Review: La Dame aux camélias at La Scala – Cojocaru, Coviello, Manni, Bolle
Graham Spicer sees John Neumeier's La Dame aux camélias with wonderful performances from two casts but gets itchy for it to end. TitleLa Dame aux caméliasCompanyLa Scala Theatre BalletVenueTeatro … [Read more...] about Review: La Dame aux camélias at La Scala – Cojocaru, Coviello, Manni, Bolle
Live stream – Roberto Bolle and Nicoletta Manni in La Dame aux camélias at La Scala
After seven years, John Neumeier’s La Dame aux camélias returns to La Scala’s stage in Milan. The photo album below is of the opening cast on 25 September with Nicoletta Manni as Marguerite Gautier … [Read more...] about Live stream – Roberto Bolle and Nicoletta Manni in La Dame aux camélias at La Scala
Review: Manon at La Scala – Nicoletta Manni/Reece Clarke; Myriam Ould-Braham/Claudio Coviello
Height problems at La Scala led to last-minute casting for Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon, or, as it is known outside the UK, L’histoire de Manon. Alessandra Ferri brought Manon to La Scala – and … [Read more...] about Review: Manon at La Scala – Nicoletta Manni/Reece Clarke; Myriam Ould-Braham/Claudio Coviello
[Review] La Scala’s Gala Fracci shows a company in spectacular form
Gala Fracci at La Scala has reached its third edition. It was La Scala Ballet’s director, Manuel Legris, who had the idea to stage an annual gala dedicated to the great Italian ballerina who died in … [Read more...] about [Review] La Scala’s Gala Fracci shows a company in spectacular form
Rudolf Nureyev’s Bayadère returns to La Scala with Kimin Kim guesting
Rudolf Nureyev's production of La Bayadère returns to La Scala for 10 performances from 26 May to 21 June, with Kimin Kim making a guest appearance. The company’s new étoile, Nicoletta Manni, will … [Read more...] about Rudolf Nureyev’s Bayadère returns to La Scala with Kimin Kim guesting
La Scala Ballet returns to China – on tour to Hong Kong and Shanghai
La Scala Ballet returns to China with eight performances of two ballets from 15 to 24 March La Scala Ballet will perform in China from 15 to 24 March, with Manuel Legris’s Le Corsaire at the Grand … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet returns to China – on tour to Hong Kong and Shanghai
[Review] Contemporary dance triple bill at La Scala – Simone Valastro’s spectacular Memento will not be forgotten
Graham Spicer sees La Scala's "Smith/León and Lightfoot/Valastro" contemporary dance triple bill in Milan TitleSmith/León and Lightfoot/ValastroCompanyLa Scala BalletVenueTeatro alla Scala, … [Read more...] about [Review] Contemporary dance triple bill at La Scala – Simone Valastro’s spectacular Memento will not be forgotten
A new triple bill of contemporary choreographers at La Scala
From 7 to 18 February, a new triple bill of contemporary choreographers at La Scala After the success of Alexei Ratmansky’s Coppélia La Scala Ballet changes direction abruptly with a triple bill of … [Read more...] about A new triple bill of contemporary choreographers at La Scala
[Review] Alexei Ratmansky’s Coppélia for La Scala Ballet – endlessly inventive with extraordinarily good storytelling
Alexei Ratmansky’s beautifully judged version of Coppélia for La Scala Ballet expertly combines the celebrated moments – the line of girls holding hands as they muster up the courage to enter Dr … [Read more...] about [Review] Alexei Ratmansky’s Coppélia for La Scala Ballet – endlessly inventive with extraordinarily good storytelling
[Review] Romeo and Juliet at La Scala with Alice Mariani and Nicola Del Freo
“We didn't need dialogue. We had faces,” said Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. One of the striking aspects of the final cast to be seen during the run of Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet at La … [Read more...] about [Review] Romeo and Juliet at La Scala with Alice Mariani and Nicola Del Freo
[Review] The second annual Gala Fracci at La Scala
[Photo Album of Gala Fracci below] In 2021, the director of the La Scala ballet company, Manuel Legris, had the idea to invite Carla Fracci to give a short masterclass during preparations for … [Read more...] about [Review] The second annual Gala Fracci at La Scala
The second edition of the Carla Fracci gala arrives at La Scala
After the resounding success of the first edition of Gala Fracci – a tribute by La Scala to Carla Fracci – now, two years after her death (she died on 27 May 2021) comes the second edition of what … [Read more...] about The second edition of the Carla Fracci gala arrives at La Scala
[Review] Blake Works V – William Forsythe’s sensational evening of dance at La Scala
[Go to Photo Album] Blake Works V is the fifth programme that William Forsythe has built on the music of the English musician James Blake. Blake Works I was a piece created for the Paris Opera … [Read more...] about [Review] Blake Works V – William Forsythe’s sensational evening of dance at La Scala
LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live
Yesterday was the first live stream from LaScalaTv (of I Vespri siciliani with a superb cast) and other operas, ballets, concerts and recitals will follow. La Scala has been building up a catalogue … [Read more...] about LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live
[Photo album] Sneak peek at tonight’s return of Nureyev’s Nutcracker in Milan
Tonight, La Scala Ballet’s season kicks off with the return of Rudolf Nureyev’s Nutcracker, last performed in the theatre in 2006. The following photo album was of tonight’s opening cast at a … [Read more...] about [Photo album] Sneak peek at tonight’s return of Nureyev’s Nutcracker in Milan
[Review] An avalanche of debuts in Onegin at La Scala
TitleOneginCompanyLa Scala BalletVenueTeatro alla Scala, MilanDate22 and 26 September 2022ReviewerGraham Spicer Photos with Nicola Del Freo and Vittoria Valerio are featured in an album … [Read more...] about [Review] An avalanche of debuts in Onegin at La Scala
[Review] Nuñez and Bolle give powerful performances in Onegin at La Scala
An odd mixture of emotions came over me entering the stalls at La Scala to see Onegin. On the ballet’s previous outing, three years ago, I attended a performance with Carla Fracci. We’d walked from … [Read more...] about [Review] Nuñez and Bolle give powerful performances in Onegin at La Scala
[Photo Album] Onegin at La Scala with Roberto Bolle and Marianela Nuñez
Onegin returns to La Scala this evening, Wednesday 14 September, with Roberto Bolle in the title role, Marianela Nuñez as Tatiana, Nicola Del Freo as Lensky, Martina Arduino as Olga and Gabriele … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] Onegin at La Scala with Roberto Bolle and Marianela Nuñez
Wayne McGregor fascinates with his new double-bill at La Scala: AfteRite + LORE
Though Wayne McGregor’s choreography sometimes seems to ‘go against’ the music, it provokes fascinating revelations and is, however, always extremely musical. In his 2014 work Kairos, to Max Richter’s … [Read more...] about Wayne McGregor fascinates with his new double-bill at La Scala: AfteRite + LORE
[Photo Album] Wayne McGregor new work at La Scala: AfteRite + LORE
Yesterday, 24 June 2022, was the world premiere of a Wayne McGregor work entitled LORE (to the music of Igor Stravinsky's Les Noces), arriving as a 'sequel' to his work AfteRite (to Stravinsky's Le … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] Wayne McGregor new work at La Scala: AfteRite + LORE
Fracci Gala: La Scala celebrates Carla Fracci
How to celebrate a great dancer on stage? How to evoke memories of their artistry without creating a parody of their talent? Certainly, with Carla Fracci and the American Ballet Theatre video of … [Read more...] about Fracci Gala: La Scala celebrates Carla Fracci
[Review] Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala shows the company in top-notch form
The revival of George Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala showed the company in top-notch form, finally shedding off the insecurities arising from cancelled premieres, last minutes Covid-related cast … [Read more...] about [Review] Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala shows the company in top-notch form
[Photo Album] First peek at Balanchine’s Jewels which opens tonight at La Scala
After eight years, George Balanchine’s Jewels returns to La Scala and runs from 11 to 24 March 2022. Balanchine was inspired by the artistry of jewellery designer Claude Arpels and chose music … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] First peek at Balanchine’s Jewels which opens tonight at La Scala
Countdown to Bayadère – casting and designs for La Scala’s opening
La Bayadère, one of the key ballets in the classical repertoire, premiered in St Petersburg in 1877. Marius Petipa created a perfect harmony between mass scenes and protagonists, and it was the … [Read more...] about Countdown to Bayadère – casting and designs for La Scala’s opening
La Scala’s enthralling Contemporary Evening is a triumph
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