Soprano Carmen Giannattasio has been in demand since she was thrust before the public eye when she won both the First Prize and the Audience Award at Placido Domingo’s Operalia in Paris in 2002.She took on one of the most challenging soprano roles soon after, singing Violetta La Traviata. Reviewing a 2007 … Continue reading
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Photo Album: In the Upper Room and Embrace with Birmingham Royal Ballet
In the Upper Room and Embrace were part of a triple-bill programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet called Polarity & Proximity. Embrace, a new ballet commissioned from choreographer George Williamson as part of Ballet Now, Birmingham Royal Ballet's five-year programme, run in conjunction with Sadler's … Continue reading
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Ildar Abdrazakov – the man with the perfect technique?
Is there anything that Ildar Abdrazakov cannot do with his voice? In a programme that began with Giordani (Caro mio ben) and finished with Rachmaninov (Spring Waters) he visited coloratura and patter songs, sang the … Continue reading
San Francisco Opera removes David Daniels after allegations of sexual assault
A surprising and sad press release has arrived from San Francisco Opera:San Francisco Opera today announced it is removing countertenor David Daniels from the role of Medoro in the Company’s June 2019 presentation … Continue reading
Another Royal Ballet dancer joins the cast of Cats the movie – Olivia Cowley
Kevin O'Hare faces the possibility of ever more complicated cast changes on the Covent Garden stage when filming of the adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical musical Cats begins as another Royal … Continue reading
Royal Ballet Principal Steven McRae cast in Cats movie
Steven McRae, Principal dancer of The Royal Ballet, is to join the cast of Universal Pictures and Working Title’s film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats, directed by Academy Award winner Tom Hooper … Continue reading
Aged 97, Franco Zeffirelli will stage a new production of Rigoletto
At 95, Franco Zeffirelli is returning to the opera house to direct a new production of Rigoletto.The opera will open in September 2020 at the Royal Opera House in Muscat when the Zeffirelli will be 97. The … Continue reading
Illustrated look at La Scala’s visit to Australia with Don Quixote and Giselle
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 November.It … Continue reading
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Royal Ballet Principal Francesca Hayward to appear in film adaptation of Cats
Francesca Hayward, Principal dancer of The Royal Ballet, has joined the cast of the film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats, … Continue reading
Photo Album: La Bayadère with The Royal Ballet – first night with Nuñez, Osipova and Muntagirov
Here are the first photos from the dress rehearsal of tonight's opening cast at The Royal Opera House of Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère.Solor … Continue reading
Prix de Lausanne candidates 2019 announced
The members of the video selections jury panel for the Prix de Lausanne 2019 have chosen 71 dancers to participate. Along with the nine … Continue reading
Lescaut almost steals the show among excellent performances in Manon at La Scala
I wonder how many reviews of Manon start by appraising the portrayal of Lescaut. A very important character of course, but certainly he has less … Continue reading
Roberto Bolle says addio to American Ballet Theatre
Eight performances of Kenneth MacMillan's Manon are scheduled to begin 17 June 2019 during American Ballet Theatre's 2019 Spring season at the … Continue reading
Danza in Italia column returns in the latest issue of Dancing Times
The latest issue of Dancing Times magazine, November 2018, is being shipped to newstands as I write.The new Danza in Italia column looks at … Continue reading
RECENT MUSIC & OPERA POSTS
Royal Swedish Opera auctions costumes to finance its activities for children
UPDATE 25 October 2018: The auction generated over €48,000 which will go to fund the opera house's activities for children and young people. … Continue reading
In conversation with Jakub Józef Orliński – the new countertenor on the block
Jakub Józef Orliński is the new countertenor name to add to an ever-growing roster of artists who are selling discs and selling out concert halls … Continue reading
Remembering the conductor Tullio Serafin, fifty years after his death
Fifty years ago today, on 3 October 1968, Tullio Serafin died in Rome.In a long career he conducted singers from Caruso to Pavarotti. He was … Continue reading
Two beautiful volumes from Amici della Scala: 80 years of costumes at La Scala and the designer Coltellacci
Vittoria Crespi Morbio, the writer of an exceptional collection of books produced by the Amici della Scala, has written monographs on important … Continue reading
Luisa Mandelli, Maria Callas’ Annina at La Scala, has died at 95
Luisa Mandelli, Maria Callas' Annina at La Scala, died last night, just short of her 96th birthday. Daniel Barenboim called her the 'eternal … Continue reading
Atonal music to win the fight against German drunks?
Schoenberg on the metro? It will soon be a reality in Berlin, but not to calm passengers’ nerves... or grate on them.Drug dealers, drunks and … Continue reading