In an interview, before several appearances in the Italian peninsula over the next two months, Sergei Polunin said, I deeply believe in love. It’s a universal feeling; everyone wants to love and be loved. Today, I see a separation between men and women with too much aggressivity and competition between the sexes. For me, if I don’t have love in my life, I’m unable to do … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up
Rite of Spring
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
Picasso in Rome, with Diaghilev, Cocteau and Massine: The Ballets Russes and Parade
One hundred years ago, Pablo Picasso lived Rome for two months. It was his first trip to Italy. The Ballets Russes was in town and Picasso was eager to begin work on his designs for Parade, the ballet which would open on 18 May 1917 in Paris at the Théâtre du Châtelet. Two years previously, Picasso had found himself relatively alone in Paris. His mistress Eva Gouel had died … [Read more...] about Picasso in Rome, with Diaghilev, Cocteau and Massine: The Ballets Russes and Parade
First look: Stravinsky ballet evening at La Scala conducted by Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta will be conducting La Scala’s orchestra for a Stravinsky double-bill with the theatre’s ballet company: Petrushka and The Rite of Spring. Michel Fokine’s choreography and Alexandre Benois’ costumes and sets were created for the original production in 1911 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. This original version was last seen at La Scala twenty years … [Read more...] about First look: Stravinsky ballet evening at La Scala conducted by Zubin Mehta
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”
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
Interview with composer Errollyn Wallen – exploring roads less travelled
Here’s the opening of Errollyn Wallen’s official biography: Born in Belize, Errollyn Wallen gave up her training at the Dance Theater of Harlem, New York to study composition at the universities of London and Cambridge. The life of one of the world’s foremost female composers is as eclectic as her music. She has no fear of combining multiple influences from pop to Purcell, … [Read more...] about Interview with composer Errollyn Wallen – exploring roads less travelled
Romeo and Juliet with the Mariinsky in Milan… and no nude kings
What a great evening out: Romeo and Juliet with the Mariinsky and Valery Gergiev conducting. However, not a costume or piece of scenery in sight… just Gergiev with his orchestra performing the Romeo and Juliet Suite n°1, which is the one which finishes with Tybalt’s death scene. The concert was part of the magnificent MiTo musical festival held in Milano (Mi) and Torino (To) … [Read more...] about Romeo and Juliet with the Mariinsky in Milan… and no nude kings
Mathilde Froustey answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started at the age of 10 in my hometown Dax, near Bordeaux in southwest France. I was hyperactive so my mother had me do as many activities as I possibly could (tennis, swimming, violin, theatre, gymnastics, horse riding, skiing...) I started ballet because I had a bad back and my mother wanted me to stand straight. I hated it when … [Read more...] about Mathilde Froustey answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
100 years after the riot: The Rite of Spring by those who were there
One day, when I was finishing the last pages of The Firebird in St Petersburg [in 1910], I had a fleeting vision… I saw in my imagination a solemn pagan rite: sage elders, seated in a circle, watched a single girl dance herself to death. They were sacrificing her to propitiate the god of spring. On 29 May 1913 Igor Stravinsky's vision became reality when The Rite of Spring (Le … [Read more...] about 100 years after the riot: The Rite of Spring by those who were there