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Gramilano logo 2023

- dance, opera, photography...

Yuhui Choe

Review: Mayara Magri’s ‘revelatory’ debut as Giselle with Matthew Ball and The Royal Ballet

4 March 2026 by Lily Hyde 2 Comments

Mayara Magri and Matthew Ball in Giselle, photo by Andrej Uspenski, RBO 2026 - 4

Lily Hyde sees Mayara Magri’s debut as Giselle and thinks it ‘will go on to be regarded as timeless and perennial as Wright’s ballet itself’. TitleGiselleCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueRoyal Ballet … [Read more...] about Review: Mayara Magri’s ‘revelatory’ debut as Giselle with Matthew Ball and The Royal Ballet

[Review] The Royal Ballet’s Don Quixote with Mayara Magri and Marcelino Sambé

6 October 2023 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Mayara Magri as Kitri in Don Quixote, The Royal Ballet, (c) 2019 ROH. Photographed by Andrej Uspenski

Jann Parry sees The Royal Ballet’s Don Quixote with Mayara Magri and Marcelino Sambé – "a cheery antidote to winter’s arrival" TitleDon QuixoteCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet’s Don Quixote with Mayara Magri and Marcelino Sambé

[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

[Review] Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a programme full of ‘wow wee’ moments

7 September 2022 by Matthew Paluch 8 Comments

Natalia Osipova in Laurencia Nureyev Legend and Legacy, photo by Andrej Uspenski

Welcome to this new collaboration between Gramilano and me, Matthew Paluch, to be known affectionately as London Calling. I'm honoured to share reviews and discussions here focusing on the London … [Read more...] about [Review] Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a programme full of ‘wow wee’ moments

Rudolf Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a starry celebration in London

18 August 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Merle Park and Rudolf Nureyev in rehearsal for Flower Festival in Genzano, photo by Francette Levieux

Rudolf Nureyev’s life and career will be celebrated in London with five performances at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which is where Nureyev made his London debut. Former Royal Ballet principal … [Read more...] about Rudolf Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a starry celebration in London

Photos and full programme of Margot Fonteyn, A Celebration with The Royal Ballet

9 June 2019 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Darcey Bussell, Gary Avis in Fascade, photo Andrej Uspenski ROH

Last night, 8 June 2019, The Royal Ballet celebrated the centenary of the birth of its most famous ballerina, Dame Margot Fonteyn, who was born on 18 May 1919. A performance of The Firebird, … [Read more...] about Photos and full programme of Margot Fonteyn, A Celebration with The Royal Ballet

The Royal Ballet in Japan and Los Angeles – dates and casting

6 June 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

The Royal Ballet tours to Japan and Los Angeles this summer, presenting signature work from the Company’s repertory, a world premiere by Wayne McGregor and community engagement projects. Tokyo, Bunka … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet in Japan and Los Angeles – dates and casting

Photo Album: first look at The Royal Ballet’s new triple bill

4 June 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The Firebird. Gary Avis. ©ROH, 2019. Photo by Tristram Kenton

The Firebird / A Month in the Country / Symphony in C The curtain has just gone up on The Royal Ballet's latest triple bill and here are the first photos. The flash of a firebird, a family sent into … [Read more...] about Photo Album: first look at The Royal Ballet’s new triple bill

Royal Ballet ballerina stages starry gala in memory of her mother

12 June 2017 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Emma Maguire in Sweet Violets, The Royal Ballet © ROH Bill Cooper, 2012

Emma Maguire is a Soloist of The Royal Ballet. She lost her mother, Ann, a teacher, when she was stabbed to death in front of her class by a 15-year-old pupil at Corpus Christi Catholic College in … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet ballerina stages starry gala in memory of her mother

Royal Ballet’s 70th anniversary revival of The Sleeping Beauty – casting and photos

12 December 2016 by Gramilano 2 Comments

The Sleeping Beauty. Yasmine Naghdi, Tristan Dyer and Beatriz Stix Brunell in The Sleeping Beauty. cROH   Tristram Kenton, 2014 (2)

The Sleeping Beauty reopened the Royal Opera House after the war in February 1946 when the Company first took up residence in Covent Garden with Margot Fonteyn dancing the role of Princess … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet’s 70th anniversary revival of The Sleeping Beauty – casting and photos

First glimpse of Wayne McGregor’s new work, Multiverse, for The Royal Ballet

10 November 2016 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Multiverse by Wayne McGregor with Mayara Magri, Lauren Cuthbertson, Francesca Hayward   © ROH, 2016, photographed by Andrej Uspenski

The curtain has just gone down on the Wayne McGregor triple bill at the Royal Opera House, London. The Royal Ballet is celebrating McGregor’s tenth anniversary as its Resident Choreographer with an … [Read more...] about First glimpse of Wayne McGregor’s new work, Multiverse, for The Royal Ballet

Royal Ballet Autumn Season 2016 – 2017 – full dates and casts

10 June 2016 by Gramilano 1 Comment

The Royal Ballet has released the casting for their Autumn Season, from September 2016 until January 2017. Roberta Marquez will return as Guest Artist to dance two farewell performances in one of her … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet Autumn Season 2016 – 2017 – full dates and casts

Marianela Nuñez leads out the Royal Ballet for their American tour

24 May 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The Royal Ballet returns to the USA in June 2015 with programmes that reflect both the company’s heritage and its contemporary repertoire. It also brings with it the extraordinary lineup of dancers … [Read more...] about Marianela Nuñez leads out the Royal Ballet for their American tour

Natalia Osipova and Steven McRae in La Fille mal gardée in cinema

10 April 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The Royal Ballet's audiences never tire of La Fille mal gardée, and seemingly neither do the cinema audiences as the ballet will be transmitted live again. On Tuesday 5 May, the world will have the … [Read more...] about Natalia Osipova and Steven McRae in La Fille mal gardée in cinema

Casting for Royal Ballet triple bill in March and La fille mal gardée in April

9 December 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

THE FOUR TEMPERAMENTS / NEW HOFESH SHECHTER / SONG OF THE EARTH George Balanchine / NEW Hofesh Shechter / Kenneth MacMillan Music: Paul Hindemith / Koen Kessels / Gustav Mahler 27, 30 March, 8, 10, … [Read more...] about Casting for Royal Ballet triple bill in March and La fille mal gardée in April

The Royal Ballet celebrates founding choreographer Frederick Ashton

10 October 2014 by Gramilano 3 Comments

From 18 October until 12 November The Royal Ballet will present a glorious mixed programme of four of Frederick Ashton’s finest ballets, celebrating not only his vast and impressive body of work but … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet celebrates founding choreographer Frederick Ashton

Critics round-up: Royal Ballet’s “Birthday Offering”, “A Month in the Country” and “Noces”

9 July 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Monica Mason's last pickings from the Royal Ballet repertoire before leaving her post as the company's director included two works by the Royal Ballet’s founder choreographer, Frederick Ashton … [Read more...] about Critics round-up: Royal Ballet’s “Birthday Offering”, “A Month in the Country” and “Noces”

Critics Round-up: Royal Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty

9 November 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

In 2006 Monica Mason decided to go back to the beginning with the Royal Ballet's signature ballet, The Sleeping Beauty: consign the 2003 Makarova disaster ("dramatically shapeless and emotionally … [Read more...] about Critics Round-up: Royal Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty

Gary Avis & Friends Gala

15 June 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

  The Royal Ballet's Gary Avis is one of the patrons of the charity The Hunger Project. Here's what he has to say on their website: I was brought up to believe that we are all better off if … [Read more...] about Gary Avis & Friends Gala

Yuhui Choe on what it takes to get to Cinderella’s ball

21 April 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Korean dancer Yuhui Choe is currently playing Cinderella on the stage of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. I try to speak the emotion from my body — the theatre is very big so I want everyone … [Read more...] about Yuhui Choe on what it takes to get to Cinderella’s ball

Miyako Yoshida’s concert for Japan

19 March 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

If you are anywhere near Covent Garden tomorrow drop in to the Linbury Studio at the Royal Opera House at 4pm for Miyako Yoshida's concert to raise money for the tsunami victims. Tickets are only £20, … [Read more...] about Miyako Yoshida’s concert for Japan

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Gramilano newsletter 2019

INTERVIEWS

Anna Muromtseva crop

Ukrainian ballerina Anna Muromtseva: Escaping from Kyiv

Eleonora Abbagnato © Alessandro Treves crop

Eleonora Abbagnato: Rome Opera Ballet is at an international level through my enthusiasm and dedication

Hope Muir. Photo by Karolina Kuras. Courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada

Interview: Still on an upward trajectory, the career of National Ballet of Canada’s Hope Muir – a “collector of ideas and people”

Tamas Detrich at the Stuttgart Ballet

[Interview] Tamas Detrich’s first five years as director of Stuttgart Ballet

Katia Ricciarelli - Chi

Soprano Katia Ricciarelli to be contestant in Big Brother TV reality show

Mikhail Baryshnikov in Not Once crop

[Interview] Baryshnikov on the Venice Biennale, death and laying himself bare

Dancers of English National Ballet in Swan Lake in the round c Laurent Liotardo 5

[Interview] Six quick questions for Derek Deane on the opening of his “Swan Lake in-the-round” in London

Yasmine Naghdi prepares for Gamzatti, photo by Dasa Wharton 16

Interviews with 3 Royal Ballet principals: Nuñez, Cuthbertson, Naghdi

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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.

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