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Virna Toppi

[Photo Album] Wayne McGregor new work at La Scala: AfteRite + LORE

25 June 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

09 - LORE - Agnese Di Clemente, Timofej Andrijahenko Claudio Coviello, photo Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

Yesterday, 24 June 2022, was the world premiere of a Wayne McGregor work entitled LORE (to the music of Igor Stravinsky's Les Noces), arriving as a 'sequel' to his work AfteRite (to Stravinsky's Le … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] Wayne McGregor new work at La Scala: AfteRite + LORE

[Review] Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala shows the company in top-notch form

30 March 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

21 - Emeralds by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust photo Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

The revival of George Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala showed the company in top-notch form, finally shedding off the insecurities arising from cancelled premieres, last minutes Covid-related cast … [Read more...] about [Review] Balanchine’s Jewels at La Scala shows the company in top-notch form

[Photo Album] First peek at Balanchine’s Jewels which opens tonight at La Scala

11 March 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

16 - Emeralds by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust photo Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala - Alice Mariani Marco Agostino

After eight years, George Balanchine’s Jewels returns to La Scala and runs from 11 to 24 March 2022. Balanchine was inspired by the artistry of jewellery designer Claude Arpels and chose music … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] First peek at Balanchine’s Jewels which opens tonight at La Scala

Countdown to Bayadère – casting and designs for La Scala’s opening

19 November 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Costume design by Luisa Spinatelli (1)

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

La Scala’s enthralling Contemporary Evening is a triumph

12 July 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

BIRDS WALKING ON WATER - Mick Zeni and company, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala (7)

The Contemporary Evening was a triumph, with seven works: a contemporary ‘classic’, some lesser-known pieces, and a new creation. La Scala is finding it difficult to attract audiences back to the … [Read more...] about La Scala’s enthralling Contemporary Evening is a triumph

[Photos and review] La Scala celebrates with its Four Choreographers Evening

10 June 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

CONCERTO DSCH, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala (8)

Wednesday 9 June was something of a celebration at La Scala with its ballet company returning to perform before a live audience. The current regulations only allow for 500 spectators but being that … [Read more...] about [Photos and review] La Scala celebrates with its Four Choreographers Evening

Ballet Gala from La Scala: Evening of Great Choreographers

2 May 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Paquita - photo by Andrea Tamoni © Teatro alla Scala

The latest gala from La Scala as part of its programming for online streaming videos, and recorded without an audience present in the theatre, is Serata Grandi Coreografi (Evening of Great … [Read more...] about Ballet Gala from La Scala: Evening of Great Choreographers

[Photo Album] La Scala’s ballet company in docuseries and World Dance Day

28 April 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Teatro alla Scala - photo by Sara Busiol 25

Thursday 29 April at 19.00 CET - World Dance Day La Scala will broadcast a complete class with its corps de ballet on World Dance Day, 29 April. Ballet Director Manuel Legris chose to pre-record … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] La Scala’s ballet company in docuseries and World Dance Day

Virna Toppi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

6 April 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Virna Toppi as Kitri, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

Q&A When did you start dancing?Immediately, as soon as I could stand. Why did you start dancing?Because I liked to feel at one with the music. Which dancer inspired you most as a child?No … [Read more...] about Virna Toppi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

A Covid-free La Scala to stream its gala ‘A Tribute to Nureyev’

22 March 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Raymonda - Virna Toppi, Nicola Del Freo e il Corpo di Ballo, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala-02

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’

Tribute to Nureyev – free ballet gala streaming from La Scala

25 February 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Lo schiaccianoci 1979/1980

A strong thread ties Rudolf Nureyev to La Scala, where he was acclaimed not only as a dancer but also as a choreographer. Nureyev has equally strong ties to La Scala Ballet's new director, Manuel … [Read more...] about Tribute to Nureyev – free ballet gala streaming from La Scala

Giselle: free streamed performance from La Scala with two casts

30 January 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Giselle, Act Two, photo Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala

Giselle will be streamed from La Scala this evening, Saturday 30 January, at 20.00 CET. The ballet was filmed over two days, without an audience, and will be offered to viewers worldwide via the state … [Read more...] about Giselle: free streamed performance from La Scala with two casts

Carla Fracci and Manuel Legris’ Giselle masterclass from La Scala online

20 January 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Carla Fracci 1964 Giselle photo Erio Piccagliani crop

La Scala will stream a new recording of Giselle on 30 January. There will be two casts in the principal roles, including a debut, with eight of the company’s principal dancers and soloists in Yvette … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci and Manuel Legris’ Giselle masterclass from La Scala online

December’s Dancing Times features Manuel Legris, Eleonora Abbagnato, and other delights

29 November 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Manuel Legris - Dancing Times, December 2020

The latest issue of Dancing Times is now on sale. The December 2020 issue ends the year when the magazine celebrated its 110th anniversary, and even with the cancellation of so many shows the world … [Read more...] about December’s Dancing Times features Manuel Legris, Eleonora Abbagnato, and other delights

La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December

25 November 2020 by Gramilano 7 Comments

La Scala 7 December 2020

Despite coronavirus restrictions, La Scala will celebrate the opening of its season 2020-2021 – however long or short it may be – on 7 December, the feast of Saint Ambrose, Milan’s saint’s day. The … [Read more...] about La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December

La Scala UN documentary-dance gala, tonight at 6pm (CET)

22 October 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Ballet Gala Le Corsaire - Martina Arduino, Marco Agostino and Mattia Semperboni, photo by Brescia e Amisano Teatro alla Scala

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Foundation of the United Nations, Teatro alla Scala, following on the initiative of the Italian Permanent Representation to the United Nations, together … [Read more...] about La Scala UN documentary-dance gala, tonight at 6pm (CET)

Interview with Roberto Bolle – I am more confident now, not just as an artist but also as a person

31 December 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Roberto Bolle’s television specials Danza con me (Dance with Me) which over the last couple of years have welcomed in the New Year with their screenings on 1 January on Italy’s main TV channel, RAI1, … [Read more...] about Interview with Roberto Bolle – I am more confident now, not just as an artist but also as a person

Dancing Times, September edition – with Gramilano’s Danza in Italia column including Woolf Works at La Scala and a Glass triple bill in Rome

28 August 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dancing Times 2019 09 Danza in Italia

The latest issue of Dancing Times is out tomorrow. In September’s issue, I cover Wayne McGregor’s “amazing” Woolf Works at La Scala with Alessandra Ferri giving a “frighteningly intense” performance … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, September edition – with Gramilano’s Danza in Italia column including Woolf Works at La Scala and a Glass triple bill in Rome

In with the old – La Scala returns to Nureyev’s Sleeping Beauty

7 July 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

49 The Sleeping Beauty, with Polina Semionova and Timofej Andrijashenko

If there is a ballet that belongs to La Scala, it’s Rudolf Nureyev’s production of The Sleeping Beauty, created for the ballet company in 1966 with Carla Fracci and Nureyev in the main roles. It was … [Read more...] about In with the old – La Scala returns to Nureyev’s Sleeping Beauty

Rights group asks for Polunin ballet in Verona’s Arena to be cancelled

15 May 2019 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Sergei Polunin's tattoo of Vladimir Putin on his Instagram account, CREDIT INSTAGRAM

A full-page article in today’s Corriere della Sera, a major Italian newspaper, has the headline: Polunin, the bad boy of dance “is homophobic”. After recent Instagram postings which were widely … [Read more...] about Rights group asks for Polunin ballet in Verona’s Arena to be cancelled

First photos of Wayne McGregor’s Woolf Works at La Scala with Alessandra Ferri, Federico Bonelli and Company dancers

8 April 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Woolf Works, Tuesday, with Alessandra Ferri and Company, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2019

These are the first photos of La Scala's restaging of Wayne McGregor's Woolf Works created for The Royal Ballet in 2015. The work was seen again in London in 2017, and in Milan, two of the original … [Read more...] about First photos of Wayne McGregor’s Woolf Works at La Scala with Alessandra Ferri, Federico Bonelli and Company dancers

Roberto Bolle’s Dance with Me on New Year’s Day features Alessandra Ferri

23 December 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Roberto Bolle presenting the new edition of Danza con me 1

Roberto Bolle’s programme Danza con me (Dance with Me) won the Rose D'Or for the Best European Entertainment programme at the 57th edition of the awards in Berlin in September. Not surprisingly, the … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle’s Dance with Me on New Year’s Day features Alessandra Ferri

Illustrated look at La Scala’s visit to Australia with Don Quixote and Giselle

3 November 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Don Quixote Nicoletta Manni and Leonid Sarafanov, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 01

After almost a month touring China, La Scala’s ballet company popped back to Milan for a run of Manon performances, before popping off to Australia for thirteen performances in Brisbane, from 7 to 18 … [Read more...] about Illustrated look at La Scala’s visit to Australia with Don Quixote and Giselle

Designer Luisa Spinatelli’s Le Corsaire team fêted in Milan

5 October 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Le Corsaire party2

The Amici della Scala association (Friends of La Scala) are always ready to celebrate: maybe it's a question and answer session with Antonio Pappano, a talk by Placido Domingo, a presentation of one … [Read more...] about Designer Luisa Spinatelli’s Le Corsaire team fêted in Milan

Photo album – fifteen evenings of La Scala Ballet in China

24 September 2018 by Gramilano 2 Comments

La Scala at the Shanghai Grand Theatre in Don Quixote with Timofej Andrijashenko, photo © Shanghai Grand Theatre

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

Don Quixote shows off first-rate dancing by La Scala’s clutch of 20-somethings

17 July 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

02   Don Quixote with Nicoletta Manni, Timofej Andrijashenko © Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2018

Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote is a romp. From start to finish it zips along at a frenetic pace, with frenetic steps. That is, except the prologue — Don Quixote’s house — and a prolonged mime scene in … [Read more...] about Don Quixote shows off first-rate dancing by La Scala’s clutch of 20-somethings

Photo Album: Don Quixote at La Scala with with Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko

11 July 2018 by Gramilano 2 Comments

18   Don Quixote with Nicoletta Manni, Timofej Andrijashenko © Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2018 (6)

In 1959, Rudolf Nureyev, with Ninel Kourgapkina as Kitri, danced Basilio for the first time at the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad. He was 20. After he defected to the West in 1961, the role became his … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Don Quixote at La Scala with with Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko

Sneak peek of Don Quixote at La Scala – photos from today’s dress rehearsal

9 July 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Don Quixote with Nicoletta Manni Timofej Andrijashenko © Brescia e Amisano Teatro alla Scala (1)

Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote returns again to La Scala with many of the company's newer Principals and Soloists making role debuts. Tomorrow night's cast - and that of this afternoon's dress … [Read more...] about Sneak peek of Don Quixote at La Scala – photos from today’s dress rehearsal

Notes on Le Corsaire at La Scala… an alternative cast

29 May 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Le Corsaire with Martina Arduino, photo by Brescia & Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2018

The success of Le Corsaire’s first night cast at La Scala was reviewed here previously, but no less was an alternative cast which had a shining beacon in Martina Arduino as Medora. She is a lovely … [Read more...] about Notes on Le Corsaire at La Scala… an alternative cast

Photo Album: Nureyev Gala at La Scala – Zakharova, Louvet, Nuñez, Muntagirov and Bolle (and Nureyev at La Scala facts and figures)

26 May 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Apollo choreography by George Balanchine© The George Balanchine Trust   Roberto Bolle  Nicoletta Manni Martina Arduino Virna Toppi, photo by  Brescia e Amisano Teatro alla Scala

Last night a Gala to celebrate Rudolf Nureyev was had at La Scala. It is the 80th Anniversary of his birth and also 25 years after his death. The Gala was previewed by a benefit audience on Thursday, … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Nureyev Gala at La Scala – Zakharova, Louvet, Nuñez, Muntagirov and Bolle (and Nureyev at La Scala facts and figures)

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Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

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GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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