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Roberto Bolle

Raffaele Pe answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

24 November 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Raffaele Pe, photo by Nicola Allegri_crop

Q&A When did you start singing? I never started – I just did it! Why did you start singing? I cannot imagine human life without, as Plato would say… Which singer inspired you most … [Read more...] about Raffaele Pe answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

La Scala Ballet’s full and empty houses – Covid or cash?

9 October 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Teatro alla Scala auditorium

Recently at La Scala in Milan, I’ve heard many people saying that they are not booking in advance anymore as there are always discounted tickets on the day of the performance. Pre-Covid, this only … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet’s full and empty houses – Covid or cash?

[Review] Nuñez and Bolle give powerful performances in Onegin at La Scala

17 September 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Onegin - Roberto Bolle, Marianela Nunez. photo Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala-02

An odd mixture of emotions came over me entering the stalls at La Scala to see Onegin. On the ballet’s previous outing, three years ago, I attended a performance with Carla Fracci. We’d walked from … [Read more...] about [Review] Nuñez and Bolle give powerful performances in Onegin at La Scala

[Photo Album] Onegin at La Scala with Roberto Bolle and Marianela Nuñez

14 September 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Onegin in rehearsal - Martina Arduino e Timofej Andrijashenko , photo by Brescia e Amisano (c) Teatro alla Scala (3)

Onegin returns to La Scala this evening, Wednesday 14 September, with Roberto Bolle in the title role, Marianela Nuñez as Tatiana, Nicola Del Freo as Lensky, Martina Arduino as Olga and Gabriele … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] Onegin at La Scala with Roberto Bolle and Marianela Nuñez

La Scala Ballet Season 2022-2023

6 June 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Le Corsaire, Nicoletta Manni, Marco Agostino and Alessandro Grillo, photo Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2018

La Scala’s ballet company has announced its 2022-2023 season with even more performances than the 2019-2020 had planned. This is a positive move for Italian dance which has seen audience numbers … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet Season 2022-2023

Ups and downs ‘celebrating’ Nureyev – Osipova, Clarke, Simkin, Melnik and…

25 May 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Daniil Simkin in Les Bourgeois - photo Giovanni Daniotti

It would be hard to imagine a more disparate evening of dance than the Rudolf Nureyev gala at Milan’s Teatro Arcimboldi. Organised by Luigi Pignotti – Nureyev’s former masseur, then manager – it … [Read more...] about Ups and downs ‘celebrating’ Nureyev – Osipova, Clarke, Simkin, Melnik and…

Fracci Gala: La Scala celebrates Carla Fracci

13 April 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

GALA FRACCI - Giselle - photo by Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala

How to celebrate a great dancer on stage? How to evoke memories of their artistry without creating a parody of their talent? Certainly, with Carla Fracci and the American Ballet Theatre video of … [Read more...] about Fracci Gala: La Scala celebrates Carla Fracci

La Scala honours Carla Fracci with the first annual gala

18 February 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Carla Fracci 1983 Giselle, photo by Lelli e Masotti © Teatro alla Scala crop

On Saturday 9 April 2022 La Scala will present Gala Fracci – First Edition. The director of La Scala’s ballet company, Manuel Legris, has devised a wide-ranging programme that reflects the repertoire … [Read more...] about La Scala honours Carla Fracci with the first annual gala

Italian theatre director Filippo Crivelli dies at 93

6 February 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Ballo Excelsior, 2015, photo by Brescia e Amisano

Filippo Crivelli: born Milan, 27 March 1928 – died Milan, 6 February 2022 The theatre director Filippo Crivelli, who guided many artists on stage – from Maria Callas to Carla Fracci – died during … [Read more...] about Italian theatre director Filippo Crivelli dies at 93

20th Anniversary Gala for La Scala Academy

11 January 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The Nutcracker with Rebecca Luca and Vincenzo Romano, Act I, photo by Annachiara Di Stefano-01

In 1813 the Imperial Regia Accademia di Ballo was founded, today’s Ballet School of Teatro alla Scala. It became one of the most esteemed dance training centres in the world. More recently, in … [Read more...] about 20th Anniversary Gala for La Scala Academy

Covid cancellations for Roberto Bolle and Friends

7 January 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Roberto Bolle © Andrej Uspenski

Roberto Bolle’s dance roadshow Roberto Bolle and Friends has been hit by the latest surge in Covid cases with shows at the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre on 6 January and the Emirates Palace Auditorium … [Read more...] about Covid cancellations for Roberto Bolle and Friends

Royal Opera House: new ballet and opera streams

20 December 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Zenaida Yanowsky as Marguerite and Roberto Bolle as Armand in Marguerite and Armand. © ROH, 2017. Photographed by Tristram Kenton.

Wayne McGregor’s The Dante Project is available from the Royal Opera House’s streaming service from Monday 20 December at 19.30 GMT (20.30 CET). The Guardian said: For his new ballet, Wayne … [Read more...] about Royal Opera House: new ballet and opera streams

Roberto Bolle fights for dance in the Italian parliament

16 December 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Roberto Bolle in Waves by Massimiliano Volpini, photo by Andrej Uspenski (4)

Yesterday, Roberto Bolle spoke to the Chamber of Deputies – the Italian Parliament’s lower house – pleading for more support for dance in Italy. Let's tell it like it is: in recent decades Italian … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle fights for dance in the Italian parliament

[Review] Madina – a courageous new dance work at La Scala

25 October 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Madina - 52 - Antonella Albano and Roberto Bolle, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

La Scala’s commission of a score from the prominent Italian composer Fabio Vacchi was ambitious in its scale and subject. The new dance work, Madina, choreographed by Mauro Bigonzetti, sees the … [Read more...] about [Review] Madina – a courageous new dance work at La Scala

[Photo Album] Madina – Bigonzetti’s new ballet at La Scala

2 October 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Madina - 19 - Gabriele Corrado and the corps de ballet, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

La Scala presents the world premiere of Fabio Vacchi's Madina with choreography by Mauro Bigonzetti based on a libretto by Emmanuelle de Villepin, inspired by her novel La ragazza che non voleva … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] Madina – Bigonzetti’s new ballet at La Scala

Rehearsal photos: Madina, a new ballet with Roberto Bolle and Antonella Albano

9 September 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Roberto Bolle e Antonella Albano, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala crop

The first performance of La Scala Ballet this season will take place on 1 October when Madina will finally receive its world premiere. Mauro Bigonzetti’s new work was due to open on 22 March last year … [Read more...] about Rehearsal photos: Madina, a new ballet with Roberto Bolle and Antonella Albano

Italian festivals of music and dance march onward with creative initiatives and Green Passes

10 August 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Bolero - Balletto di Milano © Photo Carla Moro & Aurelio Dessì - 01

The Italian festivals of music and dance are back. Last year most were saved in extremis during the summer lockdown lull, but this year there was time to come up with some more suitable, creative … [Read more...] about Italian festivals of music and dance march onward with creative initiatives and Green Passes

Roberto Bolle interview: Who I am now

7 August 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Roberto Bolle in Waves by Massimiliano Volpini, photo by Andrej Uspenski (4)

Beginnings My physique could have led me to sport or cinema, but my passion for dance showed itself at an early age. When I was three years old, I would watch dance on television and try to copy … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle interview: Who I am now

La Scala 2021-2022 Ballet Season

31 May 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

La bayadère - Makarova's version, photo by Marco Brescia © Teatro alla Scala

La Scala has bravely announced a full season for 2021-2022. This is the first ballet season organised by La Scala’s new director of the Ballet Company, Manuel Legris. There are seven programmes, with … [Read more...] about La Scala 2021-2022 Ballet Season

Rome Opera summer season: opera and ballet programme 2021

19 May 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Circo Massimo 2020, photo by Kimberley Ross

Trovatore inaugurates the Rome Opera summer season followed by Madama Butterfly and La bohème Programme of dance features Swan Lake and Roberto Bolle Twenty-six evenings of opera, ballet and … [Read more...] about Rome Opera summer season: opera and ballet programme 2021

Alessandra Ferri and Massimo Murru give Manon masterclasses from La Scala

4 May 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Masterclass - Alessandra Ferri with Martina Arduino, Nicoletta Manni - photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

La Scala’s new evening of ballet, Great Choreographers, which will be streamed on Saturday 15 May, features Kenneth MacMillan’s bedroom pas de deux from his ballet Manon. It will be danced by Virna … [Read more...] about Alessandra Ferri and Massimo Murru give Manon masterclasses from La Scala

Dancing Words – Roberto Bolle talks about his new book

21 April 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Roberto Bolle, photo by Bruce Weber 2008 crop

Parole che danzano (Dancing Words) – Roberto Bolle's new book Over the years, there have been several coffee table books dedicated to the career and physique of Roberto Bolle. Parole che danzano … [Read more...] about Dancing Words – Roberto Bolle talks about his new book

Roberto Bolle talks about his debut as a ballet teacher

2 April 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Roberto Bolle at the Caracalla Baths © Teatro dell'Opera di Roma

Roberto Bolle is recording 16 "OnDance le Masterclass" episodes for an online subscription service TimVision. The four classical classes mark his debut as a teacher. I'm very happy with this role, … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle talks about his debut as a ballet teacher

Arena Opera Festival in Verona confirms the 2021 summer programme

16 March 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Roberto Bolle, Arena di Verona, photo by Andrej Uspenski

The Arena Opera Festival has confirmed the dates, operas, and stellar casts as originally scheduled, starting with the return of Riccardo Muti, 41 years after his only appearance on the Arena’s … [Read more...] about Arena Opera Festival in Verona confirms the 2021 summer programme

February’s Dancing Times shows Roberto Bolle uncovered

29 January 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

DTCover

The latest issue of Dancing Times is now on sale. In it, I talk to Roberto Bolle – “Bolle Uncovered”. In a frank interview, (with photos by Andrej Uspenski), he talks about his insecurities, getting … [Read more...] about February’s Dancing Times shows Roberto Bolle uncovered

‘Marguerite and Armand’ and ‘Cendrillon’ in streaming from Royal Opera House

14 January 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Zenaida Yanowsky as Marguerite and Roberto Bolle as Armand in Marguerite and Armand. © ROH, 2017. Photographed by Tristram Kenton. (2)

The Royal Opera House continues its #OurHouseToYourHouse programming, which features online broadcasts, musical masterclasses, and cultural highlights that can be accessed around the … [Read more...] about ‘Marguerite and Armand’ and ‘Cendrillon’ in streaming from Royal Opera House

[Interview] Roberto Bolle: I’m very focused on what I do… that’s a difficult pact for anyone

4 January 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Boléro with Roberto Bolle photo by Brescia e Amisano Teatro alla Scala, 2019 (9)

Dedication I know I gave up my childhood, adolescence and youth, and I am also aware that those times will never come back. I was a soldier, always on the march. But I am not one of those … [Read more...] about [Interview] Roberto Bolle: I’m very focused on what I do… that’s a difficult pact for anyone

December’s Dancing Times features Manuel Legris, Eleonora Abbagnato, and other delights

29 November 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Manuel Legris - Dancing Times, December 2020

The latest issue of Dancing Times is now on sale. The December 2020 issue ends the year when the magazine celebrated its 110th anniversary, and even with the cancellation of so many shows the world … [Read more...] about December’s Dancing Times features Manuel Legris, Eleonora Abbagnato, and other delights

La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December

25 November 2020 by Gramilano 7 Comments

La Scala 7 December 2020

Despite coronavirus restrictions, La Scala will celebrate the opening of its season 2020-2021 – however long or short it may be – on 7 December, the feast of Saint Ambrose, Milan’s saint’s day. The … [Read more...] about La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December

La Scala UN documentary-dance gala, tonight at 6pm (CET)

22 October 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Ballet Gala Le Corsaire - Martina Arduino, Marco Agostino and Mattia Semperboni, photo by Brescia e Amisano Teatro alla Scala

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Foundation of the United Nations, Teatro alla Scala, following on the initiative of the Italian Permanent Representation to the United Nations, together … [Read more...] about La Scala UN documentary-dance gala, tonight at 6pm (CET)

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NEWS

Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Principal dancer Jared Angle to give final performance with NYCB

The Australian Ballet will tour to the Royal Opera House in August 2023

Les Étoiles – the starry Rome gala at the end of January, now with two programmes

Alexei Ratmansky joins New York City Ballet as Artist in Residence

Ballet dancer Denis Vieira dies in Cyprus at 31

Bruno Vescovo, former principal dancer with the La Scala Ballet, has died at 73

In Memoriam 2022: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors

Sergei Polunin’s Rasputin show in Milan is cancelled

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Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson – so much passion

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Franco Fagioli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?

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Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique

How to stage a ballet… Maina Gielgud explains

GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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