Opera singing is a high-wire profession. Only the most tone-deaf will not wince when a note is off. It is all too obvious when part of a role lies too high, or too low or, indeed, hovers too much around the centre of the voice, for a particular singer. Audiences reach out in empathy when a singer arrives … Continue reading
RECENT POSTS
Photo Album: first look at The Royal Ballet’s MacMillan triple bill
British choreographer Kenneth MacMillan transformed ballet, through an extraordinary career that expanded the boundaries of the art form. To mark the 25th anniversary of his death The Royal Ballet celebrates his … Continue reading
Vampires are taking over the opera house
When the Royal Swedish Opera announced their “Night of the Vampires” dress rehearsal event on Facebook on 15 September, it became clear that there is a major popular culture interest in vampires. In the invitation … Continue reading
80 years of opera and ballet costumes from La Scala go on display
The theatrical costume is a paradox: it hides, yet at the same time, communicates revealing aspects of a character; it is made to be seen from afar, yet the designers and costume makers care for the tiniest details, … Continue reading
€3,000 seats at La Scala sell out in just a few hours for Anna Netrebko in Andrea Chénier
Fancy being at the opening night to see Anna Netrebko in Andrea Chénier, the opera which opens La Scala’s 2017-2018 season? Well, the best seat in the house will set you back €3,000. But hurry, in just a few hours … Continue reading
Lisette Oropesa answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? We have a recording of me when I was three singing La via dolorosa, complete with background track. So it’s safe to say, I think, since I was a toddler.Why did you start … Continue reading
Man-thongs and brazen theatricality: Acosta Danza photo album
All photos by Dasa Wharton Carlos Acosta’s new company launched with energy and panache. Following his retirement from classical ballet, the star looked back to his native Cuba to create a company with both … Continue reading
RECENT DANCE POSTS
Interview with choreographer Robert Binet on his Dreamers project for the Canadian and Royal ballet companies
Robert Binet’s The Dreamers Ever Leave You, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, comes to London in mid-October. … Continue reading
The extraordinary talent of Marianela Nuñez dominates Onegin at La Scala
The extraordinary talent of Marianela Nuñez dominated this performance of Onegin at La Scala. From her opening, distracted scenes to her final … Continue reading
Vaganova Ballet Academy student Karina Soldatova loses her battle with leukaemia
Yesterday, Karina Soldatova, the Vaganova Ballet Academy student who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2016, died after a courageous battle against … Continue reading
Akram Khan’s Giselle – ENB’s smash hit in words and pictures
Akram Khan’s new Giselle is a work of immense confidence and scouring anger. Reimagining one of ballet’s most-loved classics, the story of a … Continue reading
Interview with Marianela Núñez: We live in a world where there’s no space left for magic
I have three older brothers. When I came along mum she wanted that I did feminine things: there was too much football in the house. I was always … Continue reading
A female pas de deux from Royal Ballet dancers Beatriz Stix-Brunell and Yasmine Naghdi
It's relatively rare to see a female pas de deux in classical dance. In 2015, for her farewell tour, Sylvie Guillem asked Russell Maliphant to … Continue reading
RECENT MUSIC & OPERA POSTS
#OperaPassion from the BBC with a live streaming day, events on TV and radio, and the V&A’s “Opera: Passion, Power and Politics”
Tony Hall, currently the Director-General of the BBC but previously the Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House from 2001 until 2013, is … Continue reading
Raina Kabaivanska on the importance of Maria Callas: She’s up there and we’re down here
I was born in Bulgaria. I’m a daughter of communism. I lived with communism behind the iron curtain. We had no idea of the voices in the West … Continue reading
Maria Callas on Stage – a new exhibition at La Scala
Maria Callas in scena - Gli anni alla Scala (Maria Callas on Stage – the La Scala Years) runs from 15 September to 31 January at La Scala’s … Continue reading
Maria Callas in newly restored photos from the La Scala archive
"Silence - Recording in Progress" reads the sign, as Maria Callas arrives at La Scala to record Il trovatore in 1956. More than any other … Continue reading
Preview peek at La Scala’s new production of Tamerlano starring Domingo, Mehta, Fagioli, Crebassa and Schiavo
La Scala’s Baroque Orchestra returns, after last year’s successful Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno, for a new production of Handel’s … Continue reading
A first listen to the new Maria Callas Live: Remastered Live Recordings 1949-1964
More than a gift to their own coffers, Warner Classics in releasing Maria Callas Live is giving fans of La Divina and lovers of opera a … Continue reading