John Kerrison, Official Photographer for CBN [Slide Show]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Apr 22, 2015 | Ballet Dancers, Ballet Photography, Classical Ballet

We are proud to announce that British photographer, John Kerrison has been commissioned as Classical Ballet News’ official photographer. And we’re are very excited! John Kerrison, Official Photographer for CBN Video from Romy Macias’ YouTube channel. John Kerrison was born on the coast of East Anglia in 1952.  He left his studies as a young teenager and went on to have a variety of jobs until he qualified as a German and French teacher, a job he held until his recent retirement. During his teaching years he developed a love for photography and was able to experiment with digital cameras without the huge cost of processing film. He began as a motorsport photographer, then to landscape until the fateful day he discovered ballet. It was through a television programme that he knew that this was a genre he wanted to photograph more than any other! John Kerrison, Official Photographer for CBN Kerrison is a prize-winning, reliable and very experienced professional photographer. He values all his clients whether high profile or not and I can be relied on to produce images of the highest quality. I always listen carefully to potential clients requirements to ensure I can deliver the images they need. My goal is to help my subjects relax and make sure that they enjoy the experience as well as my results. – John Kerrison, John Kerrison Photography  John Kerrison, Official Photographer for CBN Here are the photos and one extra lined-up for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy! All photos are from the 10th anniversary Russian Ballet Icons Gala, March 8, 2015 at the London Coliseum, produced by Ensemble Productions. [Note:...

Fernando Alonso, Co-Founder of the National Cuban Ballet Has Died

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Aug 2, 2013 | Classical Ballet

This past Saturday, July 27, the world of ballet lost one of it’s greatest talents. Dancer, choreographer, teacher and co-founder of the National Ballet of Cuba, Fernando Alonso died at the age of 98. Fernando Alonso, Co-Founder of the National Cuban Ballet Has Died The video below is in Spanish, but is worth viewing just to see Alicia Alonso, Fernando’s former spouse and co-founder of the National Cuban Ballet, and the young company members! Thanks to Kabaiivansko for sharing video on YouTube. Fernando Alonso, Co-Founder of the National Cuban Ballet Has Died Fernando Alonso (17 December 1914 – 27 July 2013) was a Cuban ballet dancer and co-founder of the Cuban National Ballet. Born in Havana, Cuba, in 1914, Alonso began his career in 1935.[2] In 1937, he traveled with his brother and wife Alicia to the United States. In 1940, he and Alicia joined the American Ballet Theatre, where they remained until 1948. They returned to Havana and were part of a group called the Ballet Alicia Alonso. It later became the National Ballet. In 1975, after divorcing Alicia, he took control of the ballet in the city of Camagüey. In 2000, he was awarded Cuba’s National Dance Prize for lifetime achievement. On 27 July 2013, State TV announced his death at the age of 98. No cause of death was specified. Excerpt from wikipedia article. Fernando Alonso, Co-Founder of the National Cuban Ballet Has Died Please help keep this ballet master’s legacy alive by sharing this article with your...

Romeo and Juliet, Ballet at Thursday at The Theater

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Jul 25, 2013 | Classical Ballet

Thursday at Theater presents National Paris Opera’s ballet in 3 acts after William Shakespeare’s play of Romeo and Juliet. Tonight, you’ll find delight in Rudolf Nureyev’s choreography set to music by Sergei Prokofiev. Juliet is danced by Monique Loudieres, Romeo by Manuel Legris, Tybalt by Charles Jude, Mercutio by Lionel Delanoe, Benvolio by Wilfried Romoli and Paris by Jose Martinez. Romeo and Juliet, Ballet at Thursday at The Theater Romeo and Juliet is a ballet by Sergei Prokofiev based on William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. It is one of the most enduringly popular ballets. Music from the ballet was extracted by Prokofiev as three suites for orchestra and as a piano work. Based on a synopsis created by Adrian Piotrovsky (who first suggested the subject to Prokofiev) and Sergey Radlov, the ballet in its original form was completed by Prokofiev in September 1935, on commission by the Kirov Ballet, since when he first presented the music to the Bolshoi Ballet that year, they claimed it was “undanceable”. The original version had a “happy” ending, but was never publicly mounted… Check out wikipedia for more on Romeo and Juliet, the ballet. Romeo and Juliet, Ballet at Thursday at The Theater Thanks to Isteuropeomusica for sharing this video. Romeo and Juliet, Ballet at Thursday at The Theater If you found this version of Romeo and Juliet inspiring, please give us a warm “Like” below or “Share” on your favorite Social Media site, for example on Facebook. Thanks and see you next Thursday!...

Carlos Acosta Rehearses The Royal Ballet For Don Quixote [Video]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Jul 12, 2013 | Classical Ballet

The music, the bravura, the flirting between Kitri and Basilio; we all love Don Q! The Royal ballet is getting ready to present Don Quixote this 2013 Fall season. Carlos Acosta Rehearses The Royal Ballet For Don Quixote Don Quixote is a ballet originally staged in four acts and eight scenes, based on an episode taken from the famous novel Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes. It was originally choreographed by Marius Petipa to the music of Ludwig Minkus and was first presented by the Ballet of the Imperial Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow, Russia on 26 December, 1869. Petipa and Minkus revised the ballet into a far more expanded and elaborated edition in five acts and eleven scenes for the Imperial Ballet, first presented on 21 November, 1871 at the Imperial Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre of St. Petersburg. For more details of how Don Quixote, the ballet was created, acts, characters, etc. jeté over to wikipedia.org. Carlos Acosta Rehearses The Royal Ballet For Don Quixote Royal Opera House presents on YouTube. Inside rehearsals for The Royal Ballet’s new production of Don Quixote with Carlos Acosta. Find out more at http://www.roh.org.uk/donquixote Here’s a peek at Acosta in the role of Basilio with the Paris Opera Ballet. Video courtesy of Royal Opera House on YouTube. Here are the dates, so mark your calendars: From September 30th to November 6th. Carlos Acosta Rehearses The Royal Ballet For Don Quixote Enjoyed the videos? Then share the good vibes of Don Quixote, Acosta and the Royal Ballet with your friends by kindly clicking the buttons below. Thanks! For more on Carlos Acosta...

Ballet Photographer Martha Swope Is Honored

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Jul 9, 2013 | Classical Ballet

Ballet Photographer Martha Swope Is Honored Famous ballet and theater photographer, Martha Swope recounts her career as the photographer to some of the greatest performers and shows in U.S. performance arts history. With Adolphe Adam’s Entre of Giselle playing in the background, Martha Swope recounts her beginnings as a photographer to the greatest choreographers, composers and dancers, such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Stravinsky and Maria Tallchief. I picked up the camera and clicked. I’m glad I was there at this period, because it was wonderful with all the great, great, great dancers and theater. It was kind of like a fairy tale. I was still taking ballet classes and one of my classmates was Jerome Robbins. Ballet Photographer Martha Swope Is Honored ‘ll have to watch the video below to watch the entire interview of Martha! Martha Swope Tribute from Michelle Ngo on Vimeo. Ballet Photographer Martha Swope Is Honored If you enjoyed the video of this amazing photographer, please click “Share” and “Like” below. Help spread Swope’s amazing images and the story of her life as a ballet photographer!...

Coppèlia With Royal Ballet [Full-Length Ballet]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Jul 4, 2013 | Classical Ballet

Got the popcorn ready? Thrursday at the Theater is here with Carlos Acosta as Franz and Leanne Benjamin as Swanilda in… Coppèlia With Royal Ballet Coppélia is a comic ballet originally choreographed by Arthur Saint-Léon to the music of Léo Delibes, with libretto by Charles Nuitter. Nuitter’s libretto and mise-en-scène was based upon two stories by ETA Hoffmann: Der Sandmann (The Sandman), and Die Puppe (The Doll). Coppélia premiered on 25 May 1870 at the Théâtre Impérial l’Opéra, with the 16-year-old Giuseppina Bozzacchi in the principal role of Swanhilde. Its first flush of success was interrupted by the Franco-Prussian War and the siege of Paris – which also led to the early death of Giuseppina Bozzacchi, on her 17th birthday – but eventually it became the most-performed ballet at the Opéra. Want to learn more on this ballet? Follow the link to wikipedia.org. Coppèlia With Royal Ballet Enjoy this heart-warming and fun ballet with two of the best ballet dancers, Leanne Benjamin and Carlos Acosta, and Luke Heydon as Coppelius, of the Royal Ballet. Thanks to venusoliveira for uploading this ballet to YouTube. Coppèlia With Royal Ballet If you enjoyed this full-length ballet, won’t you please share it with your friends so they can enjoy it too? Thank you and see next Thursday....