by Julia Guiheen | Jun 9, 2021 | TBT
The ballet community bid a bittersweet farewell on May 27, 2021 when the ever-luminous Italian ballerina Carla Fracci passed away from cancer. Fracci was beloved in Italy and around the world, having started her career at La Scala Ballet in Milan and then guesting...
by Julia Guiheen | Mar 14, 2018 | Profiles, TBT
Dancing with The Royal Ballet from 1992 until 2013, former principal Leanne Benjamin tackled just about every role in the classical gamut, from Juliet to Nikiya to Giselle. As the young and spirited Swanilda in this clip from Coppélia, Benjamin reveals that she...
by Julie Diana | Aug 30, 2016 | Profiles, Technique
This story originally appeared in the August/September 2016 issue of Pointe. Frances Chung, as told to Julie Diana All of Swanilda’s actions come from a place of pure fun. She’s kind of sassy, but I like bringing out her playfulness instead of taking a...
by Julie Diana Hench | Jul 31, 2016 | Company Life
In Balanchine’s comedic Coppélia, San Francisco Ballet’s Frances Chung brings out Swanilda’s playful side. All of Swanilda’s actions come from a place of pure fun. She’s kind of sassy, but I like bringing out her playfulness...