Franco Fagioli’s latest solo album presents rediscovered treasures by Neapolitan opera composer Leonardo Vinci. Fagioli – the first countertenor to sign an exclusive recording deal with Deutsche Grammophon – teams up once again with the thrilling Il Pomo d’Oro orchestra. Veni, Vidi, Vinci features a dozen da capo arias, including seven world premiere recordings, with arias … [Read more...] about Countertenor Franco Fagioli’s new CD of Baroque music to be released in May
music & opera
Countertenor David Daniels’ final fall from grace
In his final fall from grace, American countertenor David Daniels has been fired by the University of Michigan without severance pay. He joined his alma mater in 2015 as Professor of Music in Voice. Daniels was suspended in 2018 after a former student made allegations of sexual assault. The chairman of the board, Ron Weiser, said, At the heart of every decision of the board … [Read more...] about Countertenor David Daniels’ final fall from grace
J’Nai Bridges answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? Age 5, in the church choir. Why did you start singing? It was way to best communicate. Which singer inspired you most when you were young? Whitney Houston. Which singer do you most admire? Ella Fitzgerald, Leontyne Price, Beyoncé (it’s impossible to choose!) What’s your favourite role? Carmen right now. What role have you never played … [Read more...] about J’Nai Bridges answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Opera singers against the coronavirus – how one singer is lifting spirits in Milan
Gramilano happens to be a neighbour of Armando Ariostini, the baritone who works tirelessly for Casa Verdi, the retirement home for musicians, here in Milan. The coronavirus has kept us all in our homes, and Armando away from his beloved Casa Verdi, which is only a stone's throw away, but at this time it could just as well be in Sicily. To keep spirits up, Italians have been … [Read more...] about Opera singers against the coronavirus – how one singer is lifting spirits in Milan
La Scala loses two collaborators to the coronavirus
Luca Targetti, the Casting Director at La Scala for 13 years from 1997, died shortly after showing symptoms of a coronavirus infection, on 12 March. He was 63. The architect Vittorio Gregotti, responsible for designing the 2000-seater Teatro Arcimboldi, La Scala’s temporary home when it was closed for modernisation in 2002, died this morning after being infected with the … [Read more...] about La Scala loses two collaborators to the coronavirus
La Scala and all Italian theatres closed until 3 April – a tenor tests positive for the coronavirus
The hoped-for reopening of La Scala after the closure of all theatres and cinemas in northern Italy has been setback after a tenor working in the theatre tested positive for the coronavirus. He was last in the theatre on 26 February for a rehearsal of Salome, a production by Damiano Michieletto with Riccardo Chailly conducting that was to have opened on 8 March. Rehearsals were … [Read more...] about La Scala and all Italian theatres closed until 3 April – a tenor tests positive for the coronavirus
Katia Ricciarelli at 74 returns to the opera stage and talks about being a diva
At 74, after many years away from the stage, and often from singing (the wear and tear on her voice means that even singing a popular song on TV can lead to surprising results), Katia Ricciarelli returns to opera in Cavalleria Rusticana. It was Cecilia Gasdia, now intendant of Verona’s Arena, who convinced her. It will be paired with Pagliacci, and film director Gabriele … [Read more...] about Katia Ricciarelli at 74 returns to the opera stage and talks about being a diva
La Scala cancels performances due to coronavirus outbreaks
La Scala has announced that performances from today onwards are cancelled in light of the coronavirus threat. Tonight there was to have been a recital by soprano Aleksandra Kurzak. Italia has 130 people under observation or ill, and in the Lombardy region, where Milan is the capital, there are 93 cases. The situation has worsened dramatically in the last 48 hours. Some … [Read more...] about La Scala cancels performances due to coronavirus outbreaks
Photo Album: Mirella Freni at La Scala
Mirella Freni sang at La Scala from 1962 until 1996 (an account of those years, with comments by Mirella Freni, is here). La Scala issued a statement, which reads: The news of Mirella Freni’s passing has deeply moved all the workers, the musicians, and the management of the La Scala Theatre. Before the performance of Il Trovatore on Sunday, February 9, there will be a … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Mirella Freni at La Scala
Mirella Freni dies at 84
Mirella Freni, who would have been 85 on 27 February, has died at her home in Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. She had been fighting an illness for a long while and died surrounded by friends and family. Her coffin will be placed in Modena's Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavarotti on the morning of Wednesday 12 February, and the funeral will be held in the … [Read more...] about Mirella Freni dies at 84
