Such was La Scala’s confidence in Alexei Ratmansky’s Swan Lake that even before its premiere in Milan in June 2016 — the co-production with Zurich had had its world premiere four months earlier — it had already been chosen for a tour to Paris later that year and also programmed to be part of La Scala’s … Continue reading
RECENT POSTS
Derek Deane on 20 years of his Swan Lake ‘in the round’
Swan Lake 'in the round' has been performed for 7 seasons at the Royal Albert Hall since its conception in 1997, so this year marks its 20th anniversary.It has also been seen in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and … Continue reading
Cesar Corrales is to become English National Ballet’s youngest Principal
Tamara Rojo has announced that Cesar Corrales is to become Principal of English National Ballet from the start of the 2017/2018 season. Joining Corrales on stage after his performance in Le Corsaire at the Tokyo … Continue reading
Bolshoi Ballet’s Italian dancer, Jacopo Tissi, on his first year in Moscow and dancing Diamonds at the Lincoln Center
Last August, young ballet dancer Jacopo Tissi, resigned from the La Scala Ballet to accept the offer a contract with the Bolshoi Company. As I wrote last September, it’s not something that happens every day. Like … Continue reading
Marie Duplessis, at 23, inspired Dumas then Verdi; now 23-year-old Maria Mudryak sings La traviata
La traviata, an opera that has moved audiences to tears since its premiere in Venice in 1853, was based on a true story of prostitution, obsession and love.Marie Duplessis was born in 1824 to a humble family in … Continue reading
Cuban National Ballet in Turin with refreshing musicality and flair
Picture this. Turin. A balmy summer evening. To the left is piazza Castello with its impressive medieval castle. To the right, the Royal Palace, once home to the Kings of Savoy. Between the two, a stage ready to … Continue reading
Gina Lollobrigida at 90 on Loren, Castro, singing and sculpture: “I was the number one!”
When I can to Rome the first time with my family we were six in one room: father, mother and four children. Gina Lollobrigida, who today celebrates her 90th birthday, has for many years lived in her grand villa on … Continue reading
RECENT DANCE POSTS
Nicolas Le Riche appointed head of the Royal Swedish Ballet
Nicolas Le Riche will direct the Royal Swedish Ballet beginning autumn 2017. He has signed a five-year contract with the Royal Swedish Opera and … Continue reading
Joseph Caley is to join English National Ballet as Principal
English National Ballet has announced that Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal Joseph Caley will join the company for the 2017/2018 … Continue reading
Balanchine’s Dream sprinkles its magic fairy dust over La Scala for the last time
In the ‘60s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream was all the rage: Benjamin Britten’s opera premiered in 1960, Balanchine’s ballet opened in 1962, Ashton’s … Continue reading
Interview with Alicia Alonso at 95: my dancing is my most eloquent testament
I was fascinated by dance when I was very young, and after my first lesson I said to my mother, “This is what I want to do!” From that moment on … Continue reading
Luisa Spinatelli – celebrating the life of the Milanese opera and ballet designer
Luisa Spinatelli… taking tasteful to a higher dimension The Amici della Scala (Friends of La Scala), run by the indefatigable Anna Crespi, … Continue reading
La Scala’s fired ballerina, and eating-disorder author, Mary Garret on her first year back with the company
In 2016, Mary Garret walked through the artists’ entrance at La Scala, ready to take daily class again with the company that had fired her four … Continue reading
RECENT MUSIC & OPERA POSTS
Maria Mudryak answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italianoWhen did you start singing? My first performance was when I was three years old, then when I was five I started … Continue reading
Founder of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, violinist Bronislaw Huberman, died 70 years ago today
Seventy years ago, on 16 June 1947, virtuoso violinist Bronislaw Huberman died at 64. He founded the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra by bringing … Continue reading
Great musicologist Philip Gossett remembered by his colleagues and friends
Philip Gossett called himself “a fan, a musician and a scholar,” in that order.The great music scholar, who died yesterday in Chicago at the … Continue reading
Jeffrey Tate dies of a heart attack at 74 at the Accademia Carrara gallery in Bergamo
Jeffrey Tate has died of a heart attack while visiting the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo, to the east of Milan. He was 74.At 2 o'clock, near … Continue reading
La Scala Concert Season 2017 – 2018
Opera and Recital Season 2017 - 2018 Ballet Season 2017 - 2018Symphonic 14, 16, 19 October 2017 Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro alla … Continue reading
La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2017 – 2018
A pleasing new season at La Scala seems to tick all the right boxes, with half the programming dedicated to the Italian repertoire, some … Continue reading