Jim Ratcliffe, the 64-year-old 'British chemical engineer turned financier and industrialist' - and, according to Forbes, is worth around 10 billion dollars - has bought a box in the Royal Albert Hall for £2.76m. There are 849 years remaining on the lease.That investment doesn't give him exclusive use however: he will be able to attend about two-thirds of the Hall's … [Read more...]
CD review: Diana Damrau in Meyerbeer’s Grand Operas – a diva in her prime
Meyerbeer: GRAND OPERA with Diana DamrauThis glorious new album finds Diana Damrau in sparkling, top-notch form. The exacting demands that Meyerbeer makes on the soprano voice are shrugged off by a diva in her prime.Meyerbeer was German (Prussian) by birth, French by adoption, and Italian by formation; a true European. Born Jacob Liebmann Meyer Beer, his first name … [Read more...]
Traviata opens tonight at La Scala… here’s a sneak peek
The staging of La traviata is the lavish Liliana Cavani production with sets by Dante Ferretti with which Verdi’s masterpiece returned to La Scala in 1990 conducted by Riccardo Muti. It was performed as a preview performance two days ago, with the proceeds going to help Italy's earthquake victims.Ailyn Perez will be singing tonight's opening performance and the … [Read more...]
Dmitri Hvorostovsky postpones recitals for further brain tumour treatment
Dmitri Hvorostovsky is having to postpone upcoming recitals in Kaliningrad and Minsk as well as cancel his Wiener Staatsoper recital on March 7 after being advised by his doctors to continue treatment for his brain tumour during this period.On his website, the great Russian baritone says, I had been greatly looking forward to these recitals, and it truly pains me to have … [Read more...]
Anita Rachvelishvili and David Aladashvili cast magic at La Scala
It’s not often that the accompanist for a recital is mentioned in the opening paragraph of a review, but Anita Rachvelishvili’s recital at La Scala with pianist David Aladashvili was a true joint effort, not just musically, but from how they shared the stage. They obviously know each other very well and although Aladashvili, a fellow Georgian, respectfully stayed by his … [Read more...]