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Romeo and Juliet

The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko

3 January 2023 by Jonathan Gray Leave a Comment

Cranko & Haydee in rehearsal ph. Andreas Heumann crop

I’ve always been interested in how some theatrical works survive the years, and some do not. Giacomo Meyerbeer, for example, was probably the most famous opera composer of the middle years of the 19th … [Read more...] about The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko

Ballerina and coach Patricia Ruanne has died at 77

1 November 2022 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Patricia Ruanne

Patricia Ruanne was born in Leeds in the north of England in 1945, and studied at the Royal Ballet School from the age of 13, joining the Royal Ballet in 1962 where she became principal in 1969. She … [Read more...] about Ballerina and coach Patricia Ruanne has died at 77

The Australian Ballet brings Romeo and Juliet to audiences worldwide

16 October 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

19 - Romeo and Juliet - Sharni Spencer Callum Linnane photo Jeff Busby, Australian Ballet

Free tickets for lucky Gramilano newsletter subscribers After 19 years, John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet returns to The Australian Ballet and will be live streamed from Arts Centre Melbourne to … [Read more...] about The Australian Ballet brings Romeo and Juliet to audiences worldwide

Sergei Polunin now boasts three Putin tattoos

12 August 2022 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Sergei Polunin's tattoos, August 2022

Three days ago on Instagram and two hours ago on VK, the dancer Sergei Polunin posted an image of his torso with the well-known central tattoo of Vladimir Putin, together with two more Putins on his … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin now boasts three Putin tattoos

Giulietta – a new programme of dance in Verona… where else?

29 July 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Rot und Schwarz - Eleonora Abbagnato and Michele Satriano - photo Graham Spicer 1

Giulietta is the title of a new evening of dance for the Italian summer, and where better to open the mini tour than in Giulietta’s hometown: Verona. One of the Juliets of the evening was played by … [Read more...] about Giulietta – a new programme of dance in Verona… where else?

Giulietta – a new ballet with Eleonora Abbagnato, her daughter, and an imaginary friend

17 July 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Giulietta - rehearsals with Eleonora Abbagnato, Julia Balzaretti, Simone Repele and Sasha Riva, photo Massimo Danza 10

A modern-day Juliet, still a child, imagines herself as an adult. She imagines having a Romeo of her own, as in Shakespeare’s story. The young Juliet is played by ten-year-old Julia Balzaretti, and … [Read more...] about Giulietta – a new ballet with Eleonora Abbagnato, her daughter, and an imaginary friend

Étoile Eleonora Abbagnato to dance with her 10-year-old daughter

6 July 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Eleonora Abbagnato in In the Night, Rome Opera Ballet, 2012-13, photo Lelli e Masotti

Eleonora Abbagnato, former étoile with the Paris Opera Ballet and director of the Rome Opera Ballet, has two children with her husband, the former footballer Federico Balzaretti – Julia, 10 years old, … [Read more...] about Étoile Eleonora Abbagnato to dance with her 10-year-old daughter

Miami City Ballet Previews 2022/23 Season of Dance

20 April 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Nicole Stalker, Adrienne Carter, Mayumi Enokibara for Diversion of Angels. © Gary James

Celebrates the completion of Transforming Lives Capital Campaign raising an estimated $58 million. The new season features the John Cranko masterpiece, Romeo and Juliet; the company’s first … [Read more...] about Miami City Ballet Previews 2022/23 Season of Dance

The Australian Ballet to stream three story-ballets live

26 February 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Anna Karenina - Imogen Chapmen, photo by Simon Eeles 7

The Australian Ballet, now under its new Artistic Director David Hallberg, has announced three new titles as part of its 2022 live stream series: Live on Ballet TV. Anna Karenina will be streamed … [Read more...] about The Australian Ballet to stream three story-ballets live

Kevin Rhodes answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… conductors’ edition

25 February 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Kevin Rhodes crop

When did you start playing an instrument? I was seven when I started piano lessons. I started to lead some musical theatre productions from the piano with a four-person combo when I was 14, also … [Read more...] about Kevin Rhodes answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… conductors’ edition

Daniil Simkin and Daniel Camargo join American Ballet Theatre as guest artists

23 February 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Danil Simkin - Vintage suit by Comme des Garçons © Ken Browar and Deborah Ory

Daniil Simkin and Daniel Camargo will replace James Whiteside in upcoming performances with the American Ballet Theatre during the spring and summer. Whiteside is recovering from a serious knee injury … [Read more...] about Daniil Simkin and Daniel Camargo join American Ballet Theatre as guest artists

Anna Rose O’Sullivan answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

14 February 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Anna Rose O'Sullivan as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty - photo by Helen Maybanks ROH 2019-crop

When did you start dancing? I started dancing around the age of 4 and I instantly fell in love with ballet. As a young child I would put performances on for my family using the fireplace hearth as … [Read more...] about Anna Rose O’Sullivan answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star

26 January 2022 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Anna Rose O'Sullivan after her début as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, photo by Marcelino Sambé

It’s full steam ahead for The Royal Ballet’s Anna Rose O’Sullivan. Last year she was promoted to the rank of principal dancer with the company, in January of this year she made her debut as the Sugar … [Read more...] about Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star

[Photo Album] First peek at Marianela Nuñez and Federico Bonelli in Romeo and Juliet

10 January 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Federico Bonelli as Romeo and Marianela Nuñez as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet ©2021 ROH. Photograph by Andrej Uspenski

The curtain has just come down on the opening night of Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Opera House. Here's a first look at Marianela Nuñez as Juliet and Federico Bonelli as Romeo in tonight's … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] First peek at Marianela Nuñez and Federico Bonelli in Romeo and Juliet

Casting for The Royal Ballet Romeo and Juliet opening the 2021-2022 Season

8 September 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Marcelino Sambé and Anna Rose OSullivan as in Romeo and Juliet, photo by Helen Maybanks

This October The Royal Ballet returns for its first full season in 18 months. The season includes world premieres of Wayne McGregor’s The Dante Project, Christopher Wheeldon’s Like Water for … [Read more...] about Casting for The Royal Ballet Romeo and Juliet opening the 2021-2022 Season

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

2 May 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Lauren Cuthbertson by Clive Barda

On 14 March 2020, The Royal Ballet’s principal dancer Lauren Cuthbertson was dancing Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. A rare honour. She was partnered by former … [Read more...] about Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson – so much passion

Erik Bruhn and Carla Fracci – Romeo and Juliet, 1966

26 March 2020 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Erik Bruhn and Carla Fracci, Romeo and Juliet, 1966

Erik Bruhn choreographed a version of Romeo and Juliet, which he and Carla Fracci danced with the Rome Opera Ballet in 1966. Between performances, they recorded the balcony scene, which today has … [Read more...] about Erik Bruhn and Carla Fracci – Romeo and Juliet, 1966

Alessandro Macario answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

3 November 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Alessandro Macario in Coppélia by Roland Petit, Teatro San Carlo

Q&A   in italiano When did you start dancing? I started dancing when I was four. Why did you start dancing? My uncle was a dancer and ran a ballet school, so I’m sure that I began dancing … [Read more...] about Alessandro Macario answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Interview: Who is Jacopo Tissi? The Bolshoi’s enigmatic Italian star talks about Moscow, Milan and London, “It certainly wasn’t easy”

4 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Jacopo Tissi in Swan Lake crop

Three years ago, Jacopo Tissi left La Scala to join the Bolshoi Company in Moscow. Makhar Vaziev, the Company’s current director, was previously the director at La Scala and had seen Tissi’s work. It … [Read more...] about Interview: Who is Jacopo Tissi? The Bolshoi’s enigmatic Italian star talks about Moscow, Milan and London, “It certainly wasn’t easy”

Interview with Sergei Polunin – Verona’s new Romeo

24 August 2019 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Sergei Polunin, Romeo and Juliet, Verona 2019

On the eve of the debut of a new Romeo and Juliet at Verona’s Arena with choreography by Johan Kobborg and with Sergei Polunin and Alina Cojocaru in the title roles, Polunin talked with Vogue Italia’s … [Read more...] about Interview with Sergei Polunin – Verona’s new Romeo

Matthew Bourne’s new Romeo and Juliet comes to cinema screens

23 August 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet in cinema

Matthew Bourne’s contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is set in the not-too-distant future in ‘The Verona Institute’.  ‘Difficult’ young people are mysteriously confined by a … [Read more...] about Matthew Bourne’s new Romeo and Juliet comes to cinema screens

Interview with Johan Kobborg and Alina Cojocaru on the eve of their new Romeo and Juliet

13 August 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Johan Kobborg's Romeo and Juliet with Sergei Polunin and Alina Cojocaru, Verona 2019

Johan Kobborg asked David Umenoto to design the sets for his Romeo and Juliet which has its world premiere in Verona’s vast Arena on 26 August. The commission came about after Kobborg had seen an … [Read more...] about Interview with Johan Kobborg and Alina Cojocaru on the eve of their new Romeo and Juliet

Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti is Mercutio in the Kobborg-Polunin-Cojocaru Romeo and Juliet

8 August 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Valentino Zucchetti in Rhapsody, The Royal Ballet © ROH, Johan Persson 2014

On the 26 August, there will be a single performance only of Johan Kobborg’s new production of Romeo and Juliet with Sergei Polunin and Alina Cojocaru in the title roles. But when the theatre in … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti is Mercutio in the Kobborg-Polunin-Cojocaru Romeo and Juliet

Rome Opera Ballet dancers accuse director Eleonora Abbagnato of “disrespectful” behaviour

5 August 2019 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Eleonora Abbagnato,Teatro Massimo di Palermo @ Marco Glaviano

Unions representing the dancers at Rome Opera Ballet have sent a letter to the directors of the Rome Opera House complaining about the “disrespectful” behaviour of the director of the ballet company, … [Read more...] about Rome Opera Ballet dancers accuse director Eleonora Abbagnato of “disrespectful” behaviour

Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up

16 June 2019 by Gramilano 10 Comments

Romeo and Juliet with Sergei Polunin

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

Backstage at The Royal Ballet: Francesca Hayward and Cesar Corrales

14 June 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

22 Francesca Hayward and Cesar Corrales, Romeo and Juliet © Dasa Wharton

Dasa Wharton took her camera backstage to glimpse Francesca Hayward and Cesar Corrales preparing for a performance of Romeo and Juliet at The Royal Opera House. She was also there to capture moments … [Read more...] about Backstage at The Royal Ballet: Francesca Hayward and Cesar Corrales

Photos and full programme of Margot Fonteyn, A Celebration with The Royal Ballet

9 June 2019 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Darcey Bussell, Gary Avis in Fascade, photo Andrej Uspenski ROH

Last night, 8 June 2019, The Royal Ballet celebrated the centenary of the birth of its most famous ballerina, Dame Margot Fonteyn, who was born on 18 May 1919. A performance of The Firebird, … [Read more...] about Photos and full programme of Margot Fonteyn, A Celebration with The Royal Ballet

La Scala Ballet Season 2019 – 2020

20 May 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Wiener Staatsballet, Sylvia, photo Ashley Taylor

This morning, Frédéric Olivieri, director of La Scala’s ballet company, announced the theatre's 2019-2020 season: Sylvia 14 December 2019 – 14 January 2020 Music: Léo Delibes Choreography: Manuel … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet Season 2019 – 2020

La Scala’s Timofej Andrijashenko to guest as Romeo with The Royal Ballet

23 April 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Timofej Andrijashenko in Romeo and Juliet, crop

La Scala Principal Dancer Timofej Andrijashenko will dance Romeo at The Royal Opera House in London on 27 April and 4 May alongside Melissa Hamilton. The director of The Royal Ballet, Kevin O’Hare, … [Read more...] about La Scala’s Timofej Andrijashenko to guest as Romeo with The Royal Ballet

Interview: For The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi it’s “Ready, Steady, Go”!

25 November 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Yasmine Naghdi prepares for Gamzatti, photo by Dasa Wharton 15

Interview with Yasmine Naghdi as she dances in the world premiere of Alastair Marriott’s The Unknown Soldier - with photos by Dasa Wharton I last interviewed Yasmine Naghdi in September of 2015 when … [Read more...] about Interview: For The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi it’s “Ready, Steady, Go”!

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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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