They say compromise, we say evolution. Can the value system of ballet be broader than it currently is? Matthew Paluch reacts to recent, decisive opinions. "If you can actually be yourself and at … [Read more...] about They say compromise, we say evolution – can the value system of ballet be broader
Svetlana Zakharova
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
[Review] La Scala finally concludes its Bayadère run
Dominque Meyer, La Scala’s director, said recently, “We have to accept a new logic, without fear or hysteria, just working day by day, with medical bulletins in hand and rapidly changing the rehearsal … [Read more...] about [Review] La Scala finally concludes its Bayadère run
Dancing Times, February 2022, out now
The February 2022 edition of Dancing Times looks at two new productions that jumped through a few hurdles before finally getting before an audience: Jonathan Gray reviews English National Ballet’s … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, February 2022, out now
The Bolshoi’s new principal dancer Jacopo Tissi returns to La Scala with Zakharova
La Scala’s new production of La Bayadère, which was moved from the holiday period to the end of January because of multiple Covid-19 infections among the dancers, has resulted in recasting because of … [Read more...] about The Bolshoi’s new principal dancer Jacopo Tissi returns to La Scala with Zakharova
Italy’s Jacopo Tissi is promoted to Principal Dancer at the Bolshoi
Italian dancer Jacopo Tissi has been promoted to the top rank of the Bolshoi Company dancers in Moscow. Tissi is now a Principal Dancer alongside Artemy Belyakov, Semyon Chudin, Vladislav Lantratov, … [Read more...] about Italy’s Jacopo Tissi is promoted to Principal Dancer at the Bolshoi
[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
La Scala cancels all performances of La Bayadère
After delays of the first night of the new production of La Bayadère at La Scala, and the recording on 21 December after a preview performance for young people the previous day, the theatre has now … [Read more...] about La Scala cancels all performances of La 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
Italian festivals of music and dance march onward with creative initiatives and Green Passes
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
Interview with Svetlana Zakharova: I was afraid of gaining weight
Svetlana Zakharova has been in Italy performing Pas de deux for Toes and Fingers, an evening with her husband, the violinist Vadim Repin, and four male dancers. Their next stop is Japan. [Touring] … [Read more...] about Interview with Svetlana Zakharova: I was afraid of gaining weight
More than toes and fingers: Zakharova and her boys in Italy
Svetlana Zakharova and her chair (for Motoko Hirayama’s piece Revelation) arrived in Genoa for the annual Nervi Music Ballet Festival. And her husband came too – in fact, violinist Vadim Repin … [Read more...] about More than toes and fingers: Zakharova and her boys in Italy
#WorldBalletDay 2020: The Royal Ballet, Bolshoi and Australian Ballet itineraries for 29 October
World Ballet Day 2020 on 29 October, will be the biggest ever celebration of global dance with 40 dance companies participating in this year’s live streamed event. Dance companies from around the … [Read more...] about #WorldBalletDay 2020: The Royal Ballet, Bolshoi and Australian Ballet itineraries for 29 October
[Review and Photos] La Scala Ballet Gala sees dance return to its stage, with Ferri, Bonelli, Zakharova and Bolle
On 23 September, La Scala opened its doors for dance for the first time since February. It was a gala which had four showings, the last being yesterday. Social distancing in the auditorium was … [Read more...] about [Review and Photos] La Scala Ballet Gala sees dance return to its stage, with Ferri, Bonelli, Zakharova and Bolle
La Scala announces its opening gala programme
La Scala has announced the programme, though not with full casting, of its Ballet Gala which marks the return of the company to the stage after the cancellation of the theatre's programming in March … [Read more...] about La Scala announces its opening gala programme
Les Étoiles for three days shone over Rome
The annual orgy of dance that kicks off the year in Rome, known as Les Étoiles, began in 2015 with an evening in the Auditorium della Conciliazione near the Vatican with its 1,700 seats. The gala has … [Read more...] about Les Étoiles for three days shone over Rome
Review: Giselle at La Scala with Zakharova/Hallberg, Manni/Andrijashenko, Valerio/Coviello
Giselle is one of La Scala Ballet’s international calling cards. Together with Nureyev’s Don Quixote, this production has been seen all over the world, and rightly so. The company dances it … [Read more...] about Review: Giselle at La Scala with Zakharova/Hallberg, Manni/Andrijashenko, Valerio/Coviello
Alberto Testa – Italian dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer – has died at 96
Alberto Testa was a walking encyclopedia of dance, always elegantly dressed with never a hair out of place, and was very much of another time recalling Frederick Ashton with his old-school ways. … [Read more...] about Alberto Testa – Italian dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer – has died at 96
Interview: Who is Jacopo Tissi? The Bolshoi’s enigmatic Italian star talks about Moscow, Milan and London, “It certainly wasn’t easy”
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”
Photo Album: Giselle at La Scala with Svetlana Zakharova and David Hallberg
Opening Night - 17 September 2019 Giselle Svetlana Zakharova Albrecht David Hallberg Duke of Courland Alessandro Grillo Principess Bathilde Marta Romagna Giselle's mother Beatrice … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Giselle at La Scala with Svetlana Zakharova and David Hallberg
La Scala Ballet Season 2019 – 2020
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 ballet school show shows bold programming, with Forsythe’s signature piece making a debut
“That’s brave!”, was my first thought on seeing the La Scala Ballet School’s programme for its annual show: The Kingdom of the Shades act from La Bayadère together with In the Middle, Somewhat … [Read more...] about La Scala’s ballet school show shows bold programming, with Forsythe’s signature piece making a debut
Lescaut almost steals the show among excellent performances in Manon at La Scala
I wonder how many reviews of Manon start by appraising the portrayal of Lescaut. A very important character of course, but certainly he has less plot points or stage time than Des Grieux and the … [Read more...] about Lescaut almost steals the show among excellent performances in Manon at La Scala
Roberto Bolle says addio to American Ballet Theatre
Eight performances of Kenneth MacMillan's Manon are scheduled to begin 17 June 2019 during American Ballet Theatre's 2019 Spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House, with Hee Seo in the title role, … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle says addio to American Ballet Theatre
Review: Manon at La Scala with Svetlana Zakharova and Roberto Bolle
While the role of Manon doesn’t represent the pinnacle of acting challenges, it is surely one of the most satisfying. For a dancer who can act it is a gift, with each scene offering a new state to … [Read more...] about Review: Manon at La Scala with Svetlana Zakharova and Roberto Bolle
Photo Album: Manon opening night at La Scala with Zakharova and Bolle
First night photographs from La Scala Wednesday 17 October – 8pm – Premiere ManonSvetlana ZakharovaDes GrieuxRoberto BolleLescautNicola Del FreoMonsieur G.M.Alessandro GrilloLescaut’s mistress … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Manon opening night at La Scala with Zakharova and Bolle
Photo album – fifteen evenings of La Scala Ballet in China
La Scala’s Ballet Company have been touring China for almost a month, taking in four cities and dancing 15 performances of Don Quixote and Giselle. Last night’s performance of Giselle in the Grand … [Read more...] about Photo album – fifteen evenings of La Scala Ballet in China
Review: Three casts for La Bayadère with the Bolshoi at La Scala
How secretly gratifying it is when wine experts trip up, rating High Street plonk higher than the Premier cru. Ballet music could benefit from unlabelled listening. Minkus is routinely pooh-poohed, … [Read more...] about Review: Three casts for La Bayadère with the Bolshoi at La Scala
Dancing Times, August 2018 out now – including latest Danza in Italia column
The latest Dancing Times magazine is now on sale. The August 2018 issue contains my latest Danza in Italia column with thoughts on the new Le Corsaire by Anna-Marie Holmes at La Scala, with company … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, August 2018 out now – including latest Danza in Italia column
