Gustave Courbet’s explicit L’Origine du Monde, now hanging in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, caused a scandal when it was first displayed in the mid-1860s. It even caused a squeamish Facebook to censor the profiles of people who posted the image in 2011. As the torso is headless there has been much debating on the identity of the model, but a theory has been put forward that she … [Read more...] about Revealed: The scandalous Origin of the World was hidden under a Paris Opera ballerina’s tutu
Paris Opera
Laurretta Summerscales answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started dancing at the age of 3 at my mothers dancing school Why did you start dancing? My mother wanted to give me as many opportunities in life to see what passions I grew for myself, and also what I was talented at. Dance was just one of many, but obviously it was also so we could have more time together. Which dancer inspired you … [Read more...] about Laurretta Summerscales answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Paris Opera introduces an exciting digital project 3e Scène – 3rd stage
“After the Palais Garnier in 1875 and the Opéra Bastille in 1989, the Paris Opera has decided to build its 3e Scène (3rd stage) in the digital world.” That explosive statement comes from a new website, created by the Paris Opera, which will go live on 15 September. But how can a website and your pc screen compete with Charles Garnier’s opera house? Well, it will not be … [Read more...] about Paris Opera introduces an exciting digital project 3e Scène – 3rd stage
New York City Dance Project “capturing emotion through movement”
You’ve heard of the NYC Dance Project and seen its beautiful series of dance photos: carefully lit and glamorously shot. Its images, featuring some of the world’s best dancers, adorn thousands of blogs and Facebook timelines. There are so many NYCDP images out there that it a surprise to learn that the first post on the NYC Dance Project blog – with American Ballet Theatre’s … [Read more...] about New York City Dance Project “capturing emotion through movement”
Eleonora Abbagnato on being both an Étoile in Paris and a company director in Rome
I'm happy that the Mayor of Rome, Ignazio Marino, and Sovrintendente Fuortes, have had faith in my passion. My heart has always remained in Italy and this theatre needs people who believe passionately in dance. Eleonora Abbagnato was speaking at a press conference in Rome, her first appearance after her nomination as the Rome Opera Ballet’s new director. A previous director of … [Read more...] about Eleonora Abbagnato on being both an Étoile in Paris and a company director in Rome
Royal Danish Ballet dancers celebrate Bournonville in London
As a cure for the post Christmas blues - or to help celebrate that the festivities are over, depending on your point of view - principals and soloists from The Royal Danish Ballet alight at London's Peacock Theatre. On Friday 9 January and Saturday 10 January 2015 the dancers will present a mouth-watering Bournonville Celebration. Ten years after the … [Read more...] about Royal Danish Ballet dancers celebrate Bournonville in London
Evan McKie answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? In the womb. Why did you start dancing? I will probably never know the answer to that. I just know why I keep doing it. Which dancer inspired you most as a child? Rudolph, Pina, Kazuo Ohno, Gregory Hines, Erik Bruhn , Karen Kain, Evelyn Hart, Robert Tewsley, Lynn Seymour, Roberto Bolle, Shirley Maclaine, Ulyana Lopatkina, Margot … [Read more...] about Evan McKie answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Stéphane Lissner to leave La Scala for the Paris Opera in 2015
After the rumours and denials of recent days, Aurélie Filippetti, the French Minister of Culture, has confirmed that Stéphane Lissner will take over from Nicolas Joel when the latter leaves the helm of the Paris Opera in 2015. Lissner's very lucrative contract as Sovrintendente of Milan's Teatro alla Scala was due to expire in 2017. However recently his programming has been … [Read more...] about Stéphane Lissner to leave La Scala for the Paris Opera in 2015
Madrid’s Teatro Real faces a future with a 33% budget cut
After a 33% budget cut for Madrid's Teatro Real was announced, artistic director, Gerard Mortier, said he will keep fighting for the theatre in this 'dangerous' time for culture. Mortier criticized the Secretary of State for Culture, Jose Maria Lassalle , who, he says, remains locked in his office, unwilling to discuss the situation. Mortier, who was director of the Paris … [Read more...] about Madrid’s Teatro Real faces a future with a 33% budget cut
Sylvie Guillem on why she’s still ‘Mademoiselle Non’
Sylive Guillem will be in Venice tomorrow to receive from the Biennale the Leone d'oro (Golden Lion) for "having redesigned the form of the dancer, defying the laws of physics". Valeria Crippa of the Corriere della Sera talked to her about aspects of her career. I could have ended up like a cork bobbing along on the water at the whim of the currents. Instead … [Read more...] about Sylvie Guillem on why she’s still ‘Mademoiselle Non’