Latest in a collaboration between Italy’s L’Opera magazine and La Scala to celebrate the careers of singers – both living and deceased – was Saturday’s encounter with the great Bulgarian soprano Raina Kabaivanska, still statuesque and glamourous at 82. Interspersed with audio and video clips of some of her celebrated roles, were well-aimed questions from the extremely … [Read more...]
The Royal Opera and Ballet in Cinema 2015-2016
Romeo and Juliet, 22 September at 7.15pm The Royal Ballet By Kenneth MacMillan Music: Sergey Prokofiev Le nozze di Figaro, 5 October at 6.45pm The Royal Opera Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Dir: David McVicar Cond: Ivor Bolton Cast includes Erwin Schrott and Anita Hartig Viscera / Afternoon of a Faun / Tchaikovsky pas de deux / Carmen, 12 November at 7.15pm The Royal … [Read more...]
Relief among arts organizations as UK arts cuts are less than expected
The UK chancellor, George Osborne, has unveiled his 7% spending cut in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is part of the Spending Review. The Arts Council will share less of the burden however, with a 5% reduction during 2015/16. Acting chief at the Royal Opera House, Sally O'Neill, said, I am encouraged that the government has listened to our concerns and … [Read more...]
Olivier Award 2013 nominations announced: dance and opera
While it's great to see 87-year-old working choreographer Gillian Lynne get a special award, there is Marianela Núñez in the running for Outstanding Achievement in Dance, a nomination richly deserved by the Royal Ballet's most radiant and thrilling ballerina. Another welcome name for dance is designer Lez Brotherston who has collaborated with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures … [Read more...]
Gary Avis answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? My first steps were taken in the summer of 1981, at the tender age of 11. My starting point was Disco Dancing lessons at Tom & Pat Lait's Ballroom classes, and then in 1982 I started ballet/modern lessons with my local ballet teacher at the Linda Shipton School of Dancing. Why did you start dancing? I was sent to Disco Dancing … [Read more...]