Amici della Scala: Fracci, Lazzarini, Pomodoro, Soleri, Vanoni, Savignano… artists who have made Milan great
The ‘Amici della Scala’ sure knows how to throw a party!
The indefatigable Anna Crespi, who has been guiding the Friends of La Scala association since its birth in 1978, had the idea to get some of the most important Milanese artists invite their friends to celebrate the great sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro (90 next month) and the actor Ferruccio Soleri, who in his 87th year is still interpreting Arlecchino in Giorgio Strehler‘s legendary production of Goldoni’s The Servant of Two Masters.
The women who headed the group of friends were Strehler’s actress, Giulia Lazzarini, who recently found international acclaim when Nanni Moretti’s film Mia madre, in which she played the title role, was in the running at last year’s Cannes Festival; ballerinas Carla Fracci, Luciana Savignano and Oriella Dorella, all of whom came up through La Scala’s school and dominated its stage for many years; the photographer and publisher Inge Feltrinelli; and another Strehler actress, though better known for her extraordinary singing voice, Ornella Vanoni.
Anna Crespi and the Amici della Scala organise conferences and encounters; produce books on the singers, dancers, musicians and designers who have made La Scala what it is; and help sustain La Scala’s initiatives… but every now and then they let their hair down, raise a glass to friends and colleagues, and celebrate Milan’s cultural richness.
Cin cin!
END
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
I’m still in love with Carla Fracci.