There are many, many Italian dancers scattered around companies throughout the world. Some are in the corps de ballet, others are principal dancers, but all continue the tradition that made Italian dancers some of the most famous of all. Even leaving the men aside, we have Pierina Legnani (noted as 'maybe' being the first to perform 32 fouetté turns) who was a prima ballerina … [Read more...] about Dance in Italy – Spoleto Festival’s Dance Gala with Abbagnato, Vogel, Frola, Dato and many more on 30 June
Pina Bausch
Photo album: She Persisted with English National Ballet and photos by Dasa Wharton
She Persisted, the new triple bill from English National Ballet, has generated a plethora of four and five-star reviews. It is rare to find a shrivel of critics so unanimous. She Persisted follows on from She Said, ENB’s first all-female choreography programme in 2016. Broken Wings (the Frida Kahlo work) was created for that occasion and returns in the new all-female evening. … [Read more...] about Photo album: She Persisted with English National Ballet and photos by Dasa Wharton
English National Ballet announces 2018-2019 Season
In brief: English National Ballet and English National Ballet School set to move into joint state-of-the-art home in Canning Town, East London ENB's success in stage two application to Arts Council England's Capital Large Grants programme for a £3 million investment in its new home Christopher Wheeldon to create a new in-the-round version of Cinderella for English … [Read more...] about English National Ballet announces 2018-2019 Season
Lucas Meachem answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? There’s not a time I don’t remember singing in some capacity. Why did you start singing? I have a need to perform and to share my love of music with others. Which singer inspired you most when you were young? Luciano Pavarotti. Which singer do you most admire? Bryn Terfel. What’s your favourite role? The Barber of Seville. What role … [Read more...] about Lucas Meachem answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Finalists of English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer competition at the London Coliseum in June
On Monday 11 June 2018, English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer competition will be held at the London Coliseum for the first time. Emerging Dancer is a key part of English National Ballet’s commitment to developing and nurturing talent within the company and through this annual event, English National Ballet recognises the excellence of its artists. Six of the … [Read more...] about Finalists of English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer competition at the London Coliseum in June
Tamara Rojo on Pina Bausch whose “work transcends description… speaking to your spirit”
English National Ballet's exciting Bausch / Forsythe / van Manen programme arrives at Sadler’s Wells in March. Pina Bausch’s masterpiece The Rite of Spring must be the highlight of the evening, though Hans van Manen's Adagio Hammerklavier and William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated certainly won't disappoint. With the performances of The Rite of Spring, ENB will … [Read more...] about Tamara Rojo on Pina Bausch whose “work transcends description… speaking to your spirit”
Abdiel Cedric Jacobsen answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… dancers’ edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I began dancing when I was in the womb, taught informally by my mother through the blood memory of her ancestors. My mom is Ivorian - from Côte d'Ivoire - and when we were little kids she would push aside the coffee table in the living room to teach my two older sisters and I West African dances from the Ivory Coast. We started a dance … [Read more...] about Abdiel Cedric Jacobsen answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… dancers’ edition
The Gender of Choreography. Is it time for quotas?
Is it time for quotas? This was one of many questions discussed at a Dance Umbrella debate, part of the Big Dance 2016 events, at the beginning of this month. The subject of gender inequality in choreography has been stirring up a lot of press in recent months. During a panel discussion in October last year, the Rambert Dance Company’s artistic director Mark Baldwin said, I … [Read more...] about The Gender of Choreography. Is it time for quotas?
Peter Wright answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dance Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? Not until I was 16, as an apprentice with the Ballets Jooss. Why did you start dancing? I was always good at ballroom, and then my mother took me to see Mona Inglesby’s International Ballet. That was in 1943, and is what decided me. When did you start choreographing? My initial attempts where for the Sunday Choreographers, a … [Read more...] about Peter Wright answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dance Edition
Old and new in English National Ballet’s 2016-2017 Season, Spring/Summer
The English National Ballet’s Spring/Summer 2017 season sees a refreshing nod to the company’s past with a revival of Rudolf Nureyev’s Romeo & Juliet during August of 2017 when the company makes a return to The Royal Festival Hall, its old hunting ground that it hasn’t revisited since 2008. Tamara Rojo has shown with her recent programming that she is investing in the … [Read more...] about Old and new in English National Ballet’s 2016-2017 Season, Spring/Summer