On 21 June Franco Zeffirelli’s new production of La traviata opens at Verona’s gigantic arena. He’s 96.On Anna Magnani and Maria CallasAnna Magnani and Maria Callas were two goddesses but with difficult characters. Anna wanted to see me and asked to come to dinner, as long we could be alone so that we could chat easily. I said ok, but shortly after Maria called me, needing … [Read more...] about Franco Zeffirelli, at 96, on Anna Magnani and Maria Callas, his career, and old age
interviews
Interview with Alessandra Ferri: Maturing I find myself smiling more
I’m enjoying a new chapter in my life having the fortune to play women of my age and not romantic roles like the Giselles, Carmens, Juliets, Manons… all wonderful, but enough, they’re part of another Alessandra. Now I’m a 55-year-old with the knowledge of how extraordinary that is.Alessandra Ferri, now in Milan for a run of Wayne McGregor’s Woolf Works, created for her at The … [Read more...] about Interview with Alessandra Ferri: Maturing I find myself smiling more
Woolf Works at La Scala – McGregor, Richter, Ferri and Bonelli talk about making the ballet
Wayne McGregorWe're so excited to bring Woolf Works to La Scala. It’s an amazing historic stage and the work is going to be fantastic in this theatre. The company is incredible and we've been really pleased to work with them over these last few weeks.I’m also excited because I made it with these two amazing Italian dancers [Alessandra Ferri and Federico Bonelli]. I thought … [Read more...] about Woolf Works at La Scala – McGregor, Richter, Ferri and Bonelli talk about making the ballet
Interview: For The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi it’s “Ready, Steady, Go”!
Interview with Yasmine Naghdi as she dances in the world premiere of Alastair Marriott’s The Unknown Soldier - with photos by Dasa WhartonI last interviewed Yasmine Naghdi in September of 2015 when she and Matthew Ball were preparing to dance Romeo and Juliet together. They were dancing the roles for the first time — she was a Soloist and he a First Artist.Time passes … [Read more...] about Interview: For The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi it’s “Ready, Steady, Go”!
Interview: Carmen Giannattasio on her first Tosca, Lady Gaga, and homicide
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 performance at Scottish Opera, Rupert Christiansen wrote in the Daily … [Read more...] about Interview: Carmen Giannattasio on her first Tosca, Lady Gaga, and homicide