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Paris Opera Ballet

[Review] Étoiles of Paris Opera Ballet & Friends in the English countryside, come rain or shine

31 July 2023 by Graham Watts 2 Comments

Valentine Colasante and Guillaume Diop, Paris Opera Ballet, perform Don Quixote, Rudolf Nureyev. Photo Zachary Culpin @bnps (3)

Graham Watts sees Étoiles of Paris Opera Ballet & Friends at Hatch House, UK TitleÉtoiles of Paris Opera Ballet & FriendsCompanyThe Covent Garden Dance CompanyVenueHatch House, … [Read more...] about [Review] Étoiles of Paris Opera Ballet & Friends in the English countryside, come rain or shine

[Review] Blake Works V – William Forsythe’s sensational evening of dance at La Scala

22 May 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

08 - Blake Works I - photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla 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

La Scala and Manuel Legris remember Pierre Lacotte

11 April 2023 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Pierre Lacotte rehearsing La Sylphide at La Scala, photo by Marco Brescia 2005 crop

Pierre Lacotte: 4 April 1932 – 10 April 2023 The Teatro alla Scala and its ballet company, the intendant Dominque Meyer and the ballet director Manuel Legris, join the mourning dance world for the … [Read more...] about La Scala and Manuel Legris remember Pierre Lacotte

[Review] Les Étoiles – international ballet stars woo and wow in Italy

8 April 2023 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Valentine Colasante and Paul Marque in Swan Lake - Les Etoiles, Bologna 2023

Gala Les Étoiles with Valentine Colasante and Paul Marque (Paris Opera Ballet); Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia (New York City Ballet); Sergio Bernal (formerly National Ballet of Spain); Silvia Azzoni, … [Read more...] about [Review] Les Étoiles – international ballet stars woo and wow in Italy

La Scala and Manuel Legris pay tribute to Patricia Ruanne

2 November 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

1975 Swan Lake - Patricia Ruanne, photo by Erio Piccagliani, Teatro alla Scala crop

The Teatro alla Scala and ballet company join the mourning in the dance world for the passing of Patricia Ruanne, a great performer and maître de ballet. She was entrusted with important … [Read more...] about La Scala and Manuel Legris pay tribute to Patricia Ruanne

Ballerina and coach Patricia Ruanne has died at 77

1 November 2022 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Patricia Ruanne

Patricia Ruanne was born in Leeds in the north of England in 1945, and studied at the Royal Ballet School from the age of 13, joining the Royal Ballet in 1962 where she became principal in 1969. She … [Read more...] about Ballerina and coach Patricia Ruanne has died at 77

Wayne McGregor: 2022-2023 and beyond

29 September 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Random International and Company Wayne McGregors Rain Room 2012 Photograph by Sidd Khujuria

Studio Wayne McGregor has announced four world premieres, two European premieres, five revivals, and celebrations for 30 years of Company Wayne McGregor Wayne McGregorbrings Margaret Atwood’s … [Read more...] about Wayne McGregor: 2022-2023 and beyond

London’s Ballet Icons Gala 2023 – tickets on sale from 5 September

4 September 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Ballet Icons Gala 2023

The annual Ballet Icons Gala will take place on 19 February 2023 at the London Coliseum. After world events forced the cancellation of this year’s edition, next year will see its return with … [Read more...] about London’s Ballet Icons Gala 2023 – tickets on sale from 5 September

Étoile Eleonora Abbagnato to dance with her 10-year-old daughter

6 July 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Eleonora Abbagnato in In the Night, Rome Opera Ballet, 2012-13, photo Lelli e Masotti

Eleonora Abbagnato, former étoile with the Paris Opera Ballet and director of the Rome Opera Ballet, has two children with her husband, the former footballer Federico Balzaretti – Julia, 10 years old, … [Read more...] about Étoile Eleonora Abbagnato to dance with her 10-year-old daughter

Paris Opera Ballet at the Hollywood Bowl – complete programme

23 June 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Trois Gnossiennes (Hans van Manen) - Ludmila Pagliero and Hugo Marchand ©Svetlana Loboff OnP

The Paris Opera Ballet returns to international touring and will perform, at the invitation of Gustavo Dudamel, two performances at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in front of more than 34,000 … [Read more...] about Paris Opera Ballet at the Hollywood Bowl – complete programme

Aurélie Dupont quits as director of the Paris Opera Ballet

16 June 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Aurélie Dupont in Les Etoiles 2020 Rome, photo by Graham Spicer 01

Aurélie Dupont, director of the Paris Opera Ballet, will leave her position on 31 July to "devote herself to personal projects" it was announced today. The 49-year-old former étoile with the … [Read more...] about Aurélie Dupont quits as director of the Paris Opera Ballet

Ukrainian ballerina Anna Muromtseva: Escaping from Kyiv

12 May 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Anna Muromtseva crop

Anna Muromtseva is a principal dancer of the National Opera of Ukraine in Kyiv. She spoke to dancer and blogger Marta Molinari about her odyssey escaping from the bombing of Kyiv, where she lived and … [Read more...] about Ukrainian ballerina Anna Muromtseva: Escaping from Kyiv

Laurent Hilaire replaces Igor Zelensky at the Bavarian State Ballet

5 May 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Laurent Hilaire, photo by Gregory Shelukhin crop

Laurent Hilaire takes over in May 2022 from Igor Zelensky as Director of the Bayerisches Staatsballett. Hilaire presented the season’s ballet programme during today's Bayerische Staatsoper and … [Read more...] about Laurent Hilaire replaces Igor Zelensky at the Bavarian State Ballet

Extraordinary dancers will dance for Ukraine in Naples and Milan

26 March 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Ballet for Peace

Some of the dance names that have been making headlines recently will dance for Ukraine in two upcoming galas in Italy: Olga Smirnova, Victor Caixeta, Jacopo Tissi, Iana Salenko, Anastasia Matvienko … [Read more...] about Extraordinary dancers will dance for Ukraine in Naples and Milan

Natalia Osipova and international ballet stars dance for Ukraine

10 March 2022 by Gramilano 9 Comments

Dance for Ukraine

Former Royal Ballet stars and impresarios Ivan Putrov (Ukraine) and Alina Cojocaru (Romania) are putting on Dance for Ukraine, a benefit gala at the London Coliseum to raise funds for people in need … [Read more...] about Natalia Osipova and international ballet stars dance for Ukraine

[Photo album] First look at La Scala’s new Bayadère

19 December 2021 by Gramilano 6 Comments

34 - La bayadère - Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko and corps de ballet, photo by Brescia and Amisano © Teatro alla Scala

After Covid infections forced the premiere and subsequent performances to be cancelled, Monday 21 December will finally see the opening night of La Scala's new production of Rudolf Nureyev's La … [Read more...] about [Photo album] First look at La Scala’s new Bayadère

Gene Kelly’s Starstruck – Scottish Ballet’s cinematic fantasy

17 December 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Principals Christopher Harrison and Sophie Martin on set of Starstruck. Credit Gavin Smart

Scottish Ballet’s Starstruck – a reworking of Gene Kelly’s 1960 ballet Pas de Dieux – comes to Marquee TV from today, 17 December 2021. Kelly was invited to create a work for the Paris Opera Ballet … [Read more...] about Gene Kelly’s Starstruck – Scottish Ballet’s cinematic fantasy

Countdown to Bayadère – casting and designs for La Scala’s opening

19 November 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Costume design by Luisa Spinatelli (1)

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

Photos of The Royal Ballet’s new Wayne McGregor work: The Dante Project

14 September 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Edward Watson artists of The Royal Ballet in Wayne McGregors The Dante Project 2019 Photograph by Cheryl Mann

Ballet World Premiere The Royal Ballet presents Wayne McGregor’s  latest full-length ballet The Dante Project Thursday 14 – Saturday 30 October 2021 Streamed on Friday 29 October 2021  Wayne … [Read more...] about Photos of The Royal Ballet’s new Wayne McGregor work: The Dante Project

Free arts films from Marquee TV during August

9 August 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Scottish Ballet dancers in Sophie Laplanes DIVE. Photo by Andy Ross crop

Marquee TV, for the second year running, is offering 30 short works on its streaming platform for free during August. Opera, dance, theatre, and music are featured in its Summer Shorts … [Read more...] about Free arts films from Marquee TV during August

Royal Ballet First Soloist Beatriz Stix-Brunell heads for Stanford University

3 June 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Beatriz Stix-Brunell in Emeralds, photo by Andrej Uspenski ROH

The Royal Ballet has announced that First Soloist Beatriz Stix-Brunell is to leave the Company after 11 years. In a move that was deferred due to the global pandemic, she leaves at the … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet First Soloist Beatriz Stix-Brunell heads for Stanford University

Hindus want Paris Opera to cancel “patronising” Bayadère ballet

27 April 2021 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Vyacheslav Lopatin As The Bronze Idol In La Bayadére, Photo By Elena Fetisova, 2018

Rajan Zed, a leading Hindu cleric and a well-known leader in interfaith relations, says that the Paris Opera Ballet should not be "callously promoting the appropriation of traditions, elements and … [Read more...] about Hindus want Paris Opera to cancel “patronising” Bayadère ballet

The Royal Ballet announces 2021-2022 season, the first since 2019

24 March 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Wayne McGregor in rehearsal for Obsidian Tear, The Royal Ballet © ROH 2016. Photograph by Andrej Uspenski

The Royal Ballet has announced early plans for its 2021-2022 season. Detailed information will be announced on 1 June. Also, the Live Cinema season and digital programming will be announced later this … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet announces 2021-2022 season, the first since 2019

Patrick Dupond, much-loved ballet star, dies at 61

5 March 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Patrick Dupond at his White Eagle Dance Company

The flamboyant French ballet star Patrick Dupond has died after a "devastating illness" – he was 61. His collaborator, Leïla Da Rocha, said, Patrick Dupond has died after a "devastating illness" – … [Read more...] about Patrick Dupond, much-loved ballet star, dies at 61

Hugo Marchand on the blood, sweat and tears of a ballet career

16 February 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Hugo Marchand © Graham Spicer

In his new book, Danser, Paris Opera Ballet étoile Hugo Marchand wanted to “show the flaws and the difficulties so that we feel less alone” in a career that is a minefield of emotional and … [Read more...] about Hugo Marchand on the blood, sweat and tears of a ballet career

Prix de Lausanne 2021 – Video Edition – starting 31 January

27 January 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Marco Masciari, winner 2020, photo by Gregory Batardon

The Prix de Lausanne will offer more than 7 hours of daily live streaming for this special video edition, which will be available on Arte Concert and prixdelausanne.org. A worldwide public will be … [Read more...] about Prix de Lausanne 2021 – Video Edition – starting 31 January

Pierina Legnani – more than 32 fouettés

15 November 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Pierina Legnani, 1891

Pierina Legnani was born in Milan on 30 September 1868. She spent ten years at La Scala’s ballet school, graduating in 1888, but then continued working on her technique at the private school of … [Read more...] about Pierina Legnani – more than 32 fouettés

Eleonora Abbagnato shines in Four Seasons, created for strange times

5 November 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Eleonora-Abbagnato-in-Giuliano-Peparinis-4-stagioni-01

The Covid-safe dance piece 4 stagioni (Four Seasons) was created for Rome Opera Ballet after the opera, dance and concert summer programme at the Caracalla Baths was cancelled in May. Opera Roma … [Read more...] about Eleonora Abbagnato shines in Four Seasons, created for strange times

Étoile Eleonora Abbagnato in isolation on Ibiza

12 April 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Eleonora Abbagnato © Alessandro Treves crop

The children were on a break from their school, the Lycée français in Rome, so we went to our house on Ibiza, and now we’re blocked here. We haven’t been out for three weeks. It’s a drama here … [Read more...] about Étoile Eleonora Abbagnato in isolation on Ibiza

Manuel Legris to take over as head of La Scala’s ballet company

18 February 2020 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Manuel Legris, Wiener Staatsoper, photo Michael Pohn

The whispering in the corridors of La Scala has come to an end as, finally, it has been confirmed that Manuel Legris will take over from Frédéric Olivieri as Ballet Director. Legris, currently in the … [Read more...] about Manuel Legris to take over as head of La Scala’s ballet company

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GRAMILANO

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan, aka ‘Gramilano’. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. He wrote the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

Since 2022, Gramilano is pleased to welcome guest authors: Alisa Alekseeva, Paul Arrowsmith, Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel, Jonathan Gray, Marina Harss, Matthew Paluch, Jann Parry, Graham Watts, and Deborah Weiss.

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