The February 2022 edition of Dancing Times looks at two new productions that jumped through a few hurdles before finally getting before an audience: Jonathan Gray reviews English National Ballet’s … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, February 2022, out now
Rite of Spring
A captivating dance tribute to Stravinsky at Italy’s Nervi Festival
A programme of dance dedicated to Igor Stravinsky on the 50th anniversary of his death launched the dance season at this year’s Nervi Music Ballet Festival. The pieces on the programme for … [Read more...] about A captivating dance tribute to Stravinsky at Italy’s Nervi Festival
Davide Dato stars in the Italian premiere of Uwe Scholz’s The Rite of Spring
Uwe Scholz's version of Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring) will be performed for the first time in Italy by Davide Dato, principal dancer at the Vienna State Ballet. The work is part of an … [Read more...] about Davide Dato stars in the Italian premiere of Uwe Scholz’s The Rite of Spring
Stravinsky celebrated in music and dance at Nervi, Ravenna and Rome festivals
On 8 July at the Nervi Music Ballet Festival 2021, a new programme of music and dance called Stravinsky’s Love will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the composer’s death*. The celebrated Russian … [Read more...] about Stravinsky celebrated in music and dance at Nervi, Ravenna and Rome festivals
A magical Luciana Savignano dances Le Sacre
Luciana Savignano is an exotic creature from her unworldly physical movements to her unique, vaguely Asian features and her unquestionably hypnotic gaze. She is petite yet seems a giant onstage with … [Read more...] about A magical Luciana Savignano dances Le Sacre
Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up
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 … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up
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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...] about 100 years after the riot: The Rite of Spring by those who were there
Fun and games with Carla Fracci, Genesia Rosato and George de la Peña
Jeux (Games) is the last work for orchestra written by Claude Debussy. It was composed for Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes with Vaslav Nijinsky's choreography. Jeux was was not a success when … [Read more...] about Fun and games with Carla Fracci, Genesia Rosato and George de la Peña
Kinder Aggugini designs ballet costumes for MacMillan’s The Rite of Spring
British Vogue reports that Kinder Aggugini is teaming up with the English National Ballet to redesign the costumes for Kenneth MacMillan's The Rite of Spring, during the Beyond Ballets Russes season … [Read more...] about Kinder Aggugini designs ballet costumes for MacMillan’s The Rite of Spring
Critics round-up: Royal Ballet Triple Bill – Scènes de ballet – Voluntaries – Rite of Spring
"Whether you regard the triple bill as an evening of highlights or an insubstantial pageant depends on the programme," - says the Daily Express, before going on to review the Royal Ballet's latest … [Read more...] about Critics round-up: Royal Ballet Triple Bill – Scènes de ballet – Voluntaries – Rite of Spring
Obermaier’s vision of the Rite of Spring at the Festival Hall
The Rite of Spring has been seen in countless versions since its explosive début onto the world stage almost 100 years ago. But the version Austrian director and choreographer Klaus Obermaier at the … [Read more...] about Obermaier’s vision of the Rite of Spring at the Festival Hall
