Oh, what a difference a cast makes. While the perfectly competent cast reviewed here a couple of weeks ago in the revival of Rudolf Nureyev’s Nutcracker at La Scala was satisfying if lacklustre (some … [Read more...] about [Review] Manni and Andrijashenko lead a sparkling cast in Nureyev’s Nutcracker
Rudolf Nureyev
La Scala principal dancer Claudio Coviello on dancing in Nureyev’s Nutcracker
La Scala doesn’t ‘do’ Nutcrackers for Christmas. Its last two productions during the Christmas period were La Bayadère and Sylvia. It flirted briefly with a version of The Nutcracker by Nacho Duato in … [Read more...] about La Scala principal dancer Claudio Coviello on dancing in Nureyev’s Nutcracker
Dame Beryl Grey: an obituary by Mary Clarke
Beryl Grey, who has died at the age of 95, was a ballerina, director, administrator, and patron of many dance organisations, who had a distinguished international career but was quintessentially a … [Read more...] about Dame Beryl Grey: an obituary by Mary Clarke
English National Ballet pays tribute to Dame Beryl Grey
English National Ballet is deeply saddened by the news that our President and former Artistic Director, Dame Beryl Grey, has passed away at the age of 95. Dame Beryl was a dedicated ambassador and … [Read more...] about English National Ballet pays tribute to Dame Beryl Grey
[Review] Men in Motion: the male dance spectacular still delivers, ten years on
Guest author Matthew Paluch sees the 10th-anniversary performance of Men in Motion TitleMen in MotionCompanyIvan Putrov's Men in MotionVenueThe London ColiseumDate6 November 2022ReviewerMatthew … [Read more...] about [Review] Men in Motion: the male dance spectacular still delivers, ten years on
La Scala and Manuel Legris pay tribute to Patricia Ruanne
The Teatro alla Scala and ballet company join the mourning in the dance world for the passing of Patricia Ruanne, a great performer and maître de ballet. She was entrusted with important … [Read more...] about La Scala and Manuel Legris pay tribute to Patricia Ruanne
Ballerina and coach Patricia Ruanne has died at 77
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
[Review] Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a programme full of ‘wow wee’ moments
Welcome to this new collaboration between Gramilano and me, Matthew Paluch, to be known affectionately as London Calling. I'm honoured to share reviews and discussions here focusing on the London … [Read more...] about [Review] Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a programme full of ‘wow wee’ moments
Rudolf Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a starry celebration in London
Rudolf Nureyev’s life and career will be celebrated in London with five performances at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which is where Nureyev made his London debut. Former Royal Ballet principal … [Read more...] about Rudolf Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a starry celebration in London
In the July edition of Dancing Times magazine…
In the July edition of Dancing Times magazine, my Danza in Italia column talks about La Scala Ballet’s exciting new dancer Alice Mariani as she comes to the end of her first season with the company. I … [Read more...] about In the July edition of Dancing Times magazine…
Paris Opera Ballet at the Hollywood Bowl – complete programme
The Paris Opera Ballet returns to international touring and will perform, at the invitation of Gustavo Dudamel, two performances at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in front of more than 34,000 … [Read more...] about Paris Opera Ballet at the Hollywood Bowl – complete programme
La Scala Ballet Season 2022-2023
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…
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…
Laurent Hilaire replaces Igor Zelensky at the Bavarian State Ballet
Laurent Hilaire takes over in May 2022 from Igor Zelensky as Director of the Bayerisches Staatsballett. Hilaire presented the season’s ballet programme during today's Bayerische Staatsoper and … [Read more...] about Laurent Hilaire replaces Igor Zelensky at the Bavarian State Ballet
Fracci Gala: La Scala celebrates Carla Fracci
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
Jacopo Tissi moves from the Bolshoi Ballet to La Scala
From the 2022-2023 season, Jacopo Tissi will be a guest principal dancer with the La Scala Ballet Company. The contract has been agreed with ballet director Manuel Legris and theatre manager Dominique … [Read more...] about Jacopo Tissi moves from the Bolshoi Ballet to La Scala
La Scala honours Carla Fracci with the first annual gala
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
Ezio Frigerio, the great theatre designer, dies at 91
Ezio Frigerio has died at the age of 91. He made theatre history alongside Giorgio Strehler, Rudolf Nureyev, Eduardo De Filippo, and Vittorio De Sica. He leaves his wife and frequent collaborator, the … [Read more...] about Ezio Frigerio, the great theatre designer, dies at 91
[Review] La Scala’s Bayadère was a race against time
A new production of La Bayadère opened at La Scala a week later than planned after a Covid outbreak forced cancellations of the first performances. The television cameras waited patiently for the … [Read more...] about [Review] La Scala’s Bayadère was a race against time
[Photo album] First look at La Scala’s new Bayadère
After Covid infections forced the premiere and subsequent performances to be cancelled, Monday 21 December will finally see the opening night of La Scala's new production of Rudolf Nureyev's La … [Read more...] about [Photo album] First look at La Scala’s new Bayadère
Countdown to Bayadère – casting and designs for La Scala’s opening
La Bayadère, one of the key ballets in the classical repertoire, premiered in St Petersburg in 1877. Marius Petipa created a perfect harmony between mass scenes and protagonists, and it was the … [Read more...] about Countdown to Bayadère – casting and designs for La Scala’s opening
Exciting debuts at La Scala: Alice Mariani and Mattia Semperboni
While theatre debuts are highly anticipated and hopefully thrilling, delusion and disappointment can arrive all too quickly after curtain up. Happily, there was nothing to disappoint in Alice … [Read more...] about Exciting debuts at La Scala: Alice Mariani and Mattia Semperboni
[Interview] Baryshnikov on the Venice Biennale, death and laying himself bare
Mikhail Baryshnikov will open this year’s Biennale di Venezia – virtually – in the world premiere of Not Once, an ‘art installation with film’ by Jan Fabre, the Belgian multidisciplinary artist: … [Read more...] about [Interview] Baryshnikov on the Venice Biennale, death and laying himself bare
La Scala 2021-2022 Ballet Season
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
La Scala pays tribute to Carla Fracci
La Scala is extremely saddened by the news of Carla Fracci's death today at her home in Milan. The theatre, the city and dance have lost an historical, legendary figure who left a strong mark on our … [Read more...] about La Scala pays tribute to Carla Fracci
Remembering Carla: ballet legend Carla Fracci dies at 84
This is the obituary I never wanted to write, and I certainly didn’t think I’d be writing it in 2021: Carla Fracci has died at 84, someone I imagined being exceptionally spritely well into her 90s. … [Read more...] about Remembering Carla: ballet legend Carla Fracci dies at 84
Paris Opera’s ballet and opera season for 2021-2022
The Paris Opéra has announced its 2021-2022 season with 23 operas, 12 ballets of which 14 are new productions: 9 operas and 5 ballets. This adds up to 385 curtain-ups during the season. The … [Read more...] about Paris Opera’s ballet and opera season for 2021-2022
A Covid-free La Scala to stream its gala ‘A Tribute to Nureyev’
The A Tribute to Nureyev gala from La Scala, was due to be streamed on 28 February, but the recording was cancelled two hours before curtain-up when a weak positive case of Covid-19 was found in one … [Read more...] about A Covid-free La Scala to stream its gala ‘A Tribute to Nureyev’
Patrick Dupond, much-loved ballet star, dies at 61
The flamboyant French ballet star Patrick Dupond has died after a "devastating illness" – he was 61. His collaborator, Leïla Da Rocha, said, Patrick Dupond has died after a "devastating illness" – … [Read more...] about Patrick Dupond, much-loved ballet star, dies at 61
La Scala’s “Tribute to Nureyev” gala cancelled for Covid
Yesterday, during a regular health check on the artists working at La Scala, a weak positive case of Covid-19 was found in a dancer in the company. As a precautionary measure, La Scala's management … [Read more...] about La Scala’s “Tribute to Nureyev” gala cancelled for Covid
