• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • HOME
  • DANCE
    • Latest Dance Posts
    • Popular Dance Posts
    • Dancers’ Questionnaires
  • MUSIC & OPERA
    • Latest Music & Opera Posts
    • Popular Music & Opera Posts
    • Singers’ Questionnaires
  • INTERVIEWS
  • NEWS
  • GRAMILANO PHOTOS
  • CONTACT
Gramilano logo 2023

- dance, opera, photography...

Vadim Muntagirov

Les Étoiles gala in Rome 2026: A Bridge for Peace… but without Zakharova

16 March 2026 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

LES ETOILES 2022 Vadim Muntagirov with Fumi Kaneko as the white swan, photo by Graham Spicer

Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, Sala Santa Cecilia, Rome – 20 and 21 March These are times of conflict, and Les Étoiles – the international dance gala curated by Daniele Cipriani – … [Read more...] about Les Étoiles gala in Rome 2026: A Bridge for Peace… but without Zakharova

Review: Ballet Icons Gala 2026 – a star-studded, celebratory evening of ballet

19 February 2026 by Georgina Butler Leave a Comment

Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko in Nutcracker Duet credit Jack Devant

Georgina Butler sees London's Ballet Icons Gala 2026 – an outstanding international cast of elite dancers from top-tier companies with a UK premiere and two world premieres. TitleBallet Icons Gala … [Read more...] about Review: Ballet Icons Gala 2026 – a star-studded, celebratory evening of ballet

Final lineup announced for Ballet Icons 20th anniversary gala

27 January 2026 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Ballet Icons Gala

The Ballet Icons Gala returns to the London Coliseum on 15 February with its customary lineup of international ballet stars. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the presentations at the … [Read more...] about Final lineup announced for Ballet Icons 20th anniversary gala

The best dozen dance shows of 2025 – a legacy of memories from Graham Watts’ year in dance

29 December 2025 by Graham Watts Leave a Comment

Prometheus - Krzysztof Pastor, Polish National Ballet with Marco Esposito as Zeus, photo Ewa Krasuckaa

2025 saw a recovery in the number of shows that I saw, rising to 157 (from 135 in 2024) and – accounting for mixed programmes - they contained 216 separate works (rising from 176 in 2024). Although … [Read more...] about The best dozen dance shows of 2025 – a legacy of memories from Graham Watts’ year in dance

Review: The Royal Ballet’s Perspectives with Against the Tide, a world premiere from Cathy Marston

15 November 2025 by Jonathan Gray 3 Comments

William Bracewell and Matthew Ball in Cathy Marston’s Against the Tide (c)2025 Tristram Kenton

Perspectives Photo Album below Jonathan Gray sees The Royal Ballet in Perspectives, a triple bill with works by George Balanchine, Justin Peck, and a world premiere from Cathy … [Read more...] about Review: The Royal Ballet’s Perspectives with Against the Tide, a world premiere from Cathy Marston

Review: La Fille mal gardée – opening night with The Royal Ballet in “the sunniest, funniest, twirliest romcom around”

20 October 2025 by Georgina Butler Leave a Comment

Vadim Muntagirov as Colas and Marianela Nuñez as Lise in La Fille mal gardée, The Royal Ballet (c) 2025 Alice Pennefather

Georgina Butler sees La Fille mal gardée with Marianela Nuñez (youthful lyricism) and Vadim Muntagirov (bravura dancing) who together are radiant. TitleLa Fille mal gardéeCompanyThe Royal … [Read more...] about Review: La Fille mal gardée – opening night with The Royal Ballet in “the sunniest, funniest, twirliest romcom around”

Youth Grand Prix Europe (YGPE) finds a new Italian base in Vicenza, Italy

11 November 2024 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Nervi-Genoa 2024 - Jennifer Curry Wingrove and Sandra Bencicova for LK Studio, courtesy YAGP - 1

From 12 to 15 November 2024, the semi-finals at the Teatro Comunale, Vicenza Youth Grand Prix Europe (YGPE) returns to Italy with Vicenza as its new base. From 12 to 15 November 2024, the Teatro … [Read more...] about Youth Grand Prix Europe (YGPE) finds a new Italian base in Vicenza, Italy

Review: 17th World Ballet Festival in Tokyo, Programme B

10 August 2024 by Matthew Paluch Leave a Comment

17th WBF Programme B - 15 Onegin - Gilbert & Marchand, photo Kiyonori Hasegawa

Matthew Paluch sees Programme B at the 17th World Ballet Festival in Tokyo: "The festival has a 48-year legacy behind it, but this shouldn't be taken for granted." TitleWorld Ballet Festival, … [Read more...] about Review: 17th World Ballet Festival in Tokyo, Programme B

Review: 17th World Ballet Festival in Tokyo, Programme A

4 August 2024 by Matthew Paluch Leave a Comment

17th WBF Don Quixote Marianela Nunez-Vadim Muntagirov, photo Kiyonori Hasegawa

Matthew Paluch sees the Programme A gala at the 17th World Ballet Festival in Tokyo with 33 of the world's top dancers. TitleWorld Ballet Festival, Programme ACompanyJapan Performing Arts … [Read more...] about Review: 17th World Ballet Festival in Tokyo, Programme A

[Review] The Royal Ballet in Ashton Celebrated – Les Rendezvous, The Dream, Rhapsody

10 June 2024 by Jonathan Gray Leave a Comment

Francesca Hayward as Titania and Marcelio Sambe as Oberon in Frederick Ashton's The Dream, The Royal Ballet 2024, photo by Tristram Kenton crop

Jonathan Gray sees The Royal Ballet in Ashton Celebrated – Les Rendezvous, The Dream, and Rhapsody – an evening of musicality and daring. TitleLes Rendezvous, The Dream, RhapsodyCompanyThe Royal … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet in Ashton Celebrated – Les Rendezvous, The Dream, Rhapsody

[Photo Album] The Sarasota Ballet at The Royal Opera House to celebrate Sir Frederick Ashton

16 May 2024 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The Sarasota Ballet in Sir Frederick Ashton's Sinfonietta - Photo Frank Atura

This June, The Sarasota Ballet will perform in the Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House for a limited run of performances as part of Ashton Celebrated. The Sarasota Ballet has gained … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] The Sarasota Ballet at The Royal Opera House to celebrate Sir Frederick Ashton

Ashton Celebrated – The Royal Ballet celebrates Founding Choreographer Frederick Ashton

15 May 2024 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Natalia Osipova as Titania in The Dream, The Royal Ballet (c) 2014 ROH. Photographed by Bill Cooper

The Royal Ballet celebrates Founding Choreographer Frederick Ashton with two special programmes  Les Rendezvous / The Dream / Rhapsody: 6 – 19 June 2024The Dream / Short Works / Rhapsody: 7 – … [Read more...] about Ashton Celebrated – The Royal Ballet celebrates Founding Choreographer Frederick Ashton

[Review] La Scala’s Gala Fracci shows a company in spectacular form

13 May 2024 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Donizetti pas de deux - Alice Mariani, Nicola Del Freo, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala

Gala Fracci at La Scala has reached its third edition. It was La Scala Ballet’s director, Manuel Legris, who had the idea to stage an annual gala dedicated to the great Italian ballerina who died in … [Read more...] about [Review] La Scala’s Gala Fracci shows a company in spectacular form

Nominations for the 24th National Dance Awards – #NDA24

18 April 2024 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

National Dance Awards 2024

The Dance Section of the UK Critics’ Circle has announced its short-listed nominations for the National Dance Awards (#NDA24). The qualifying period for performances was between 1st January and … [Read more...] about Nominations for the 24th National Dance Awards – #NDA24

Royal Ballet announces casting for Ashton Celebrated

28 March 2024 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Marcelino Sambé and Francesca Hayward in Rhapsody photo by Helen Maybanks ROH

LES RENDEZVOUS / THE DREAM / RHAPSODY6–19 JUNE 2024 The Royal Ballet's mixed programme for Ashton Celebrated opens with the buoyant Les Rendezvous, a fizzing succession of dances following a group … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet announces casting for Ashton Celebrated

[Review] MacMillan Celebrated – The Royal Ballet shows the choreographer fizzing with ideas

21 March 2024 by Jonathan Gray Leave a Comment

J Sissens, L Dixon, I Gasparini, M Masciari, L Acri, Danses Concertantes, photo by Tristram Kenton 2024

Jonathan Gray sees The Royal Ballet's triple bill MacMillan Celebrated – showing a versatile and compelling creative force. TitleMacMillan Celebrated: Danses concertantes, Different Drummer, … [Read more...] about [Review] MacMillan Celebrated – The Royal Ballet shows the choreographer fizzing with ideas

MacMillan Celebrated – The Royal Ballet celebrates its former principal choreographer

5 March 2024 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Rupert Pennefather and Ricardo Cervera in a scene from Requiem, The Royal Ballet, photo by Tristram Kenton, 2011

The Royal Ballet presents MacMillan Celebrated, a programme of works on both the Main Stage and Linbury Theatre celebrating the work of the company’s former Director and Principal Choreographer, … [Read more...] about MacMillan Celebrated – The Royal Ballet celebrates its former principal choreographer

Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon returns to The Royal Ballet for its 50th Anniversary

3 January 2024 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Lauren Cuthbertson as Manon and Matthew Ball as Des Grieux in Manon, The Royal Ballet, 2019 ROH. Photo by Alice Pennefather

17 January – 8 March 2024Live in cinemas: Wednesday 7 February 2024 The Royal Ballet presents Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon, 50 years since the production's 1974 premiere, and 100 years since the birth … [Read more...] about Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon returns to The Royal Ballet for its 50th Anniversary

Les Étoiles ballet gala on TV with Nuñez, Muntagirov, Kim, Simkin, Salenko, Bernal, Makhateli, Tissi, Kovaleva et al

29 December 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

LES ETOILES 2022 Vadim Muntagirov with Fumi Kaneko as the white swan, photo by Graham Spicer

On Italian television for New Year's Eve – Rai5 at 9.15 pm –arrives the ballet gala Les Étoiles. Producer Daniele Cipriani has been devising Les Étoiles galas in Rome since 2015 and this … [Read more...] about Les Étoiles ballet gala on TV with Nuñez, Muntagirov, Kim, Simkin, Salenko, Bernal, Makhateli, Tissi, Kovaleva et al

[Photo Album] Dasa Wharton sees Don Quixote with The Royal Ballet – Nuñez, Muntagirov, Naghdi, Ball

5 November 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Don Quixote with Marianela Nuñez, Vadim Muntagirov, Mayara Magri, The Royal Ballet, photo by Dasa Wharton 05

Don Quixote with Marianela Nuñez, Vadim Muntagirov, Mayara Magri In staging his version for The Royal Ballet, Carlos Acosta, who was once a high-jumping and charming Basilio, has taken the wise … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] Dasa Wharton sees Don Quixote with The Royal Ballet – Nuñez, Muntagirov, Naghdi, Ball

Casting for The Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake (March-May 2024) is announced

4 November 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Swan Lake - The Royal Ballet-ROH

The Royal Ballet has announced casting for next year’s Swan Lake performances, which run from 6 March until 11 May 2024. In Liam Scarlett’s production, there will be role debuts for Soloist Mariko … [Read more...] about Casting for The Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake (March-May 2024) is announced

Royal Ballet casting for autumn performances 2023 with role debuts

4 June 2023 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Artists-of-the-Royal-Ballet-in-Anemoi-The-Royal-Ballet-2021-ROH.-Photograph-by-Alice-Pennefather

The Royal Ballet casting for main roles is announced for all performances from 30 September 2023 until 13 January 2024. General booking opens on 2 August 2023 for the whole period. The ballets … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet casting for autumn performances 2023 with role debuts

[Review] The Royal Ballet’s new Cinderella – a fresh look for the 21st century

30 March 2023 by Jonathan Gray 1 Comment

Yasmine Naghdi (Cinderella), Matthew Ball (Prince), 2023 ROH Photo Tristram Kenton

Jonathan Gray sees The Royal Ballet's new production of Ashton's Cinderella TitleCinderellaCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueRoyal Opera House, Covent GardenDate29 March 2023ReviewerJonathan Gray Not … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet’s new Cinderella – a fresh look for the 21st century

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

19 January 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Prix de Lausanne 2020-01

The Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 will be given to Carlos Acosta CBE, a Prix de Lausanne Prize Winner in 1990 and current Director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. The Prix de Lausanne 2023 50th … [Read more...] about Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

[Review] Mayerling with Marcelino Sambé and Francesca Hayward: a magnificent night full of dazzling performances

25 November 2022 by Matthew Paluch 6 Comments

Mayerling rehearsals with Marcelino Sambé and Francesca Hayward, photo by Andrej Uspenski - 06

Guest author Matthew Paluch sees Mayerling at The Royal Opera House with Marcelino Sambé and Francesca Hayward TitleMayerlingCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, LondonDate24 November … [Read more...] about [Review] Mayerling with Marcelino Sambé and Francesca Hayward: a magnificent night full of dazzling performances

[Review] The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration – the importance of the past, present, and future

17 November 2022 by Matthew Paluch 7 Comments

Marcelino Sambé and Matthew Ball in For Four 2022 ROH, photographed by Andrej Uspenski

How should the Royal Opera House celebrate 60 years of The Friends of Covent Garden? Krumping? Balanchine? Don't stress, you don't have to choose, we're getting both in the buffet that is The Royal … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration – the importance of the past, present, and future

A Diamond Celebration in cinema: The Royal Ballet Celebrates 60 Years

7 November 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Artists of The Royal Ballet in Diamonds, photo by Bill Cooper, ROH 2013

The Royal Ballet presents A Diamond Celebration, a special programme to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of The Friends of Covent Garden. It will be broadcast live to cinemas around the world on … [Read more...] about A Diamond Celebration in cinema: The Royal Ballet Celebrates 60 Years

[Review] Men in Motion: the male dance spectacular still delivers, ten years on

7 November 2022 by Matthew Paluch Leave a Comment

Edward Watson in A Sheila Dance by Arthur Pita - Men in Motion, photo by Elliott Franks 03

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

[Review] Mayerling in London and Paris on 30th anniversary of MacMillan’s death

31 October 2022 by Jonathan Gray 6 Comments

Vadim Muntagirov and Fumi Kaneko in Mayerling, photo by Andrej Uspenski, ROH 2022

Guest author Jonathan Gray looks at Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling in London and Paris TitleMayerlingCompanyThe Royal Ballet / Paris Opéra BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, London / Palais Garnier, … [Read more...] about [Review] Mayerling in London and Paris on 30th anniversary of MacMillan’s death

Les Étoiles 2023 – the cast of the annual Rome dance gala is announced

20 October 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Marianela Nunez and Vadim Muntagirov, Le Corsaire, photo © Graham Spicer

Producer Daniele Cipriani’s annual international gala of dance returns to Rome’s Auditorium Parco della Musica on 28 (eve) and 29 January (mat, eve) 2023. “Virtuosismi in volo e sulle punte” … [Read more...] about Les Étoiles 2023 – the cast of the annual Rome dance gala is announced

Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

  • 19.8K
    19.8K
  • 226.3K
    226.3K
  • 3.6K
    3.6K
  • 22.4K
    22.4K
  • 21.2K
    21.2K
  • 3.8K
    3.8K
Gramilano newsletter 2019

INTERVIEWS

Jacopo Tissi in Swan Lake crop

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

Alessandra Ferri Io Donna

Interview with Alessandra Ferri: Maturing I find myself smiling more

Bryn Terfel in Grange Park Opera's Fiddler on the Roof

Bryn Terfel and his first UK opera appearance after lockdown

Juan Diego Flórez

Juan Diego Flórez interview: my 25 years with Rossini

Giselle with Alexander Campbell as Albrecht and Francesca Hayward as Giselle. © ROH, Helen Maybanks 2018 (3)

Interview with The Royal Ballet’s hot couple: Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell

Jennifer Check as the Governess in The Turn of the Screw, photo by Angela Gaul

On Site Opera presents Britten’s The Turn of the Screw at the stunning Wave Hill estate in the Bronx

Riccardo Muti and the Vienna Philharmonic, photo by © Silvia Lelli_05

Riccardo Muti interview, part two: Pavarotti, communication, politics and music’s meaning

Jennie Muskett crop

Interview: Jennie Muskett – the Emmy-winning film composer seeking a new career writing music for dance

G-100x100

GRAMILANO

Graham Spicer, aka 'Gramilano', is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.

Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.

He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.

Since 2022, Gramilano has been pleased to welcome guest authors: Paul Arrowsmith, Donatella Bertozzi, Georgina Butler, Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel, Jonathan Gray, Marina Harss, Ann Haskins, Lily Hyde, Marta Mele, Matthew Paluch, Jann Parry, Lucía Piquero, Graham Watts, Deborah Weiss, and Lydia Wharf.

Copyright © 2026 · Gramilano · All rights reserved

about me · contact me · privacy and cookies