Milan is not like London or New York… there’s not a lot of dance going on. The resident company at La Scala will be performing six titles during the coming season. That’s S-I-X. And there will not be thirty Nutcrackers around Christmas either, there’ll be 12 Cinderellas; usually there are just nine performances of each title. So imagine everyone’s surprise when La Scala … [Read more...] about Ballet’s biggest names come to Milan for 4 days of dance
William Forsythe
World Ballet Day 2015 with one day of live streaming from 5 companies
1 October 2015 is the date for this year's World Ballet Day live stream.Following last year’s unprecedented collaboration for the first World Ballet Day LIVE, five of the world’s leading ballet companies will once again stream 23 hours of live, behind-the-scenes footage on Thursday, 1 October. The Australian Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, The Royal Ballet, The National Ballet of … [Read more...] about World Ballet Day 2015 with one day of live streaming from 5 companies
Lisa-Maree Cullum answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&AWhen did you start dancing? When I was 3.Why did you start dancing? My mum had a ballet school and when I saw the other children moving to music I couldn’t help myself.Which dancer inspired you most as a child? Natalia Makarova.Which dancer do you most admire? Ray Barra and Patricia Neary for being such wonderful artists but more importantly … [Read more...] about Lisa-Maree Cullum answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
We may be saying ‘bye’ to the dancer, but certainly not to Sylvie Guillem
Sylvie Guillem is an extraordinary creature: exuding a special aura yet blessed with the common touch. She has almost always been this way, the ordinary (little or no makeup, bare legs in ballet) mixed with the extraordinary (her technique, her corporeal expressiveness); the anti-diva who can be diva-ish. It is a fascinating and winning combination, there is nothing obvious … [Read more...] about We may be saying ‘bye’ to the dancer, but certainly not to Sylvie Guillem
New York City Ballet’s Wendy Whelan brings new work to London for European Première
New York City Ballet principal dancer Wendy Whelan, who recently announced her retirement as a classical ballerina to focus on choreography and contemporary dance, is bringing Restless Creature to The Linbury Studio Theatre in July.Whelan, described by The New York Times as ‘America’s greatest contemporary ballerina’, collaborates with young choreographers Kyle Abraham, … [Read more...] about New York City Ballet’s Wendy Whelan brings new work to London for European Première
Elena Vostrotina answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&AWhen did you start dancing? I was always dancing since I can remember. From when I was 5-years-old in various ballet schools, and since I was 10 at the Vaganova Ballet Academy.Why did you start dancing? I always loved it! I also grew up in the theatre - my mother was a dancer with the Kirov ballet - so it was always part of my life.Which dancer inspired … [Read more...] about Elena Vostrotina answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Zach’s Diary part three: Balanchine, class and holidays
Zach’s Diary part one: Growing up dancing in CanadaZach’s Diary part two: Starting at Stuttgart’s John Cranko-Schule Zach's Diary part three Christmastime in Germany is like a fairy tale, though so far only a couple light dustings of snow but, of course, the wonderful Christmas markets.December has been a very busy month here, with a performance in the … [Read more...] about Zach’s Diary part three: Balanchine, class and holidays
Sylvie Guillem shines in Forsythe’s Steptext in Florence
Various off-stage dramas lead up to Sylvie Guillem's participation in MaggioDanza's Great Choreographers programme. The second performance became the première after strike action cancelled Monday's performance. Worth the wait? You bet!Guillem danced in William Forsythe's Steptext, with pointe shoes and a bright red leotard. Nowhere to hide, with vertical and lateral … [Read more...] about Sylvie Guillem shines in Forsythe’s Steptext in Florence
Sylvie Guillem is cancelled in Florence
Sylvie Guillem, returning to a work en pointe for MaggioDanza in Florence, finds the first of her four performances cancelled.Guillem is the guest artist for an evening called Grandi Coreografi (Great Choreographers) with works by Balanchine, Kylián, Forsythe and, erm... Andonis Foniadakis (maybe, but give him time).Guillem has arrived in Florence to prepare for William … [Read more...] about Sylvie Guillem is cancelled in Florence
Boston Ballet’s 50th Anniversary season kicks off in London
Boston Ballet has announced its 50th anniversary season, which will start with their tour to London in July at the London Coliseum. Programming for 2013/2014 includes La Bayadère and Cinderella, two cutting-edge repertory programmes with American and world premières and Balanchine’s masterpiece, Jewels. The season will close with a tour to Washington's Kennedy Center, and end … [Read more...] about Boston Ballet’s 50th Anniversary season kicks off in London