The Jas Art Ballet Company was formed in 2013 by the husband and wife team Sabrina Brazzo and Andrea Volpintesta, both formerly with the ballet company at La Scala (she a principal dancer). In six years, its reach has grown, and it now has a junior wing of promising young dancers from ages 16 to […]
Sabrina Brazzo
The tale of a dyslexic ballerina
Sabrina Brazzo, former Principal Dancer at La Scala – but still dancing wonderfully – is dyslexic, and she has put her story onstage. Dyslexia isn’t just about difficulty with reading and writing, but can cause a range of problems which make day to day life a challenge. Many dyslexic students can get confused in following […]
To Carla Fracci, on your 80th Birthday, from your colleagues and friends
Today is the 80th birthday of the Italian ballerina, Carla Fracci. She was born in Milan on 20 August 1936. To celebrate we asked fellow ballerinas, as well as actresses and designers she has worked with, for messages and best wishes on a very special day. with thanks to Merrill Ashley – Aurora Benelli – Rebecca Bianchi […]
Spellbound Contemporary Ballet and Gala DanzaEccellenze at Milan’s Teatro Carcano
The Teatro Carcano in Milan is trying to forge ahead with a project to feature dance, especially contemporary dance, on its stage. Dance in Milan tends to be dominated by La Scala, while other northern Italian towns such as Venice, Genoa and Turin have got to see the Eifman Ballet, Ballet Preljocaj, Béjart Ballet Lausanne, […]
Sabrina Brazzo & Co take their all-leather ballet to the Lincoln Center
Tonight, at the Lincoln Center in New York, a new Italian ballet will take to the stage which features almost only leather costumes. When the piece made its début in Milan two years ago, I wrote: A Nabucco or Norma with leather costumes wouldn’t raise an eyebrow, but a ballet? Boots and belts maybe, but […]
The music of Italy’s n°1 rocker returns to La Scala
Vasco Rossi is one of the most famous Italian rockers. The singer-songwriter has hit sixty, but continues to sell out stadiums. His most famous song, Vita spericolata (Daredevil Life) sums up his own approach to life, and in true rock style he’s regularly finished up in clinics to detox. A strange choice for ballet music? Well, of […]
Leather tutus take to the stage in Milan
A Nabucco or Norma with leather costumes wouldn’t raise an eyebrow, but a ballet? Boots and belts maybe, but tutus and frocks? This was the conceit behind The Cloak of the Dragon presented at Milan’s Teatro del Verme. Linea Pelle, world leaders in leather goods, have sponsored this ballet which will be presented to coincide with their various […]
