Guest author Paul Arrowsmith talks to Tom Pye, the designer of The Royal Ballet’s new production of Cinderella. Tom Pye has reimagined anew Frederick Ashton’s 75-year-old ballet Cinderella, for The … [Read more...] about [Interview] Designer Tom Pye on death threats, Cinderella – and cowboys
design
80 years of opera and ballet costumes from La Scala go on display
The theatrical costume is a paradox: it hides, yet at the same time, communicates revealing aspects of a character; it is made to be seen from afar, yet the designers and costume makers care for the … [Read more...] about 80 years of opera and ballet costumes from La Scala go on display
Maria Callas on Stage – a new exhibition at La Scala
Maria Callas in scena - Gli anni alla Scala (Maria Callas on Stage – the La Scala Years) runs from 15 September to 31 January at La Scala’s museum, which is housed in the same building as the … [Read more...] about Maria Callas on Stage – a new exhibition at La Scala
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, gathered together at the association’s spectacular … [Read more...] about Luisa Spinatelli – celebrating the life of the Milanese opera and ballet designer
Picasso in Rome, with Diaghilev, Cocteau and Massine: The Ballets Russes and Parade
One hundred years ago, Pablo Picasso lived Rome for two months. It was his first trip to Italy. The Ballets Russes was in town and Picasso was eager to begin work on his designs for Parade, the ballet … [Read more...] about Picasso in Rome, with Diaghilev, Cocteau and Massine: The Ballets Russes and Parade
“Cross-dressing” Grayson Perry to design front cloth for English National Ballet’s female choreographers
English National Ballet has announced that it has commissioned Grayson Perry to design the front cloth for its She Said programme, at Sadler’s Wells from Wednesday 13 - Saturday 16 April … [Read more...] about “Cross-dressing” Grayson Perry to design front cloth for English National Ballet’s female choreographers
La Scala to become a catwalk for Dolce & Gabbana
Although Dolce & Gabbana have already used La Scala to present a collection, it was in the sumptuous foyer Toscanini and not in the main theatre. Tomorrow, 31 January, the pair will present … [Read more...] about La Scala to become a catwalk for Dolce & Gabbana
Eufemia Brancato, queen of the tutu, dies at 95
Eufemia Brancato died this morning three weeks before her 96th birthday. She was the head of Brancato Costumiers in Milan which she founded in 1961 after five years working at the Piccolo Teatro with … [Read more...] about Eufemia Brancato, queen of the tutu, dies at 95
Rome’s Colosseum to get its floor back
Ecco nelle foto Alinari come i visitatori vedevano e vivevano il Colosseo sino a poco più di un secolo fa. pic.twitter.com/i4w74IYUlB — Dario Franceschini (@dariofrance) November 2, 2014 Last … [Read more...] about Rome’s Colosseum to get its floor back
The Royal Opera House’s £27m ‘open up’ project to go ahead
The £27m scheme to ‘open up’ the Royal Opera House in London has been given the go ahead by Westminster City Council. The plans will make the entrances and street-level public spaces of the Opera … [Read more...] about The Royal Opera House’s £27m ‘open up’ project to go ahead
Pompeii will collapse entirely, says UNESCO commission
After two areas of Pompeii crumbled yesterday - part of the Temple of Venus and part of a tomb at the Nocera Gate - another part collapsed this morning: a 2 metre-high wall in via Nola. The new … [Read more...] about Pompeii will collapse entirely, says UNESCO commission
The face of a soprano: Fornasetti’s obsession with Lina Cavalieri
"Variation is not only a noble endeavour or a musical exercise, but also an intellectual tradition and virtuosity of the imagination," said Giò Ponti, Italian architect and designer, and close … [Read more...] about The face of a soprano: Fornasetti’s obsession with Lina Cavalieri
Sanquirico, designer of Norma and Anna Bolena, finally rests among the greats
The Wikipedia entry on Italian painter and designer Alessandro Sanquirico reads: Alessandro Sanquirico (Milan, July 27, 1777 – Milan, March 12, 1849) was an Italian scenic designer, architect, and … [Read more...] about Sanquirico, designer of Norma and Anna Bolena, finally rests among the greats
Actress Valentina Cortese radiant in haute couture at 90
Great Italian actress Valentina Cortese turned 90 this year. Style has always been part of her life (she is the sort of actress who is theatrical offstage as well as on) and the diva quality in her … [Read more...] about Actress Valentina Cortese radiant in haute couture at 90
The new Muscovite: David Hallberg dresses up for Vogue
David Hallberg returned to the Bolshoi for Onegin, and while there found time for a photoshoot for Vogue Russia. He talked to Anna Fedina for an article entitled "New Muscovite". On returning to … [Read more...] about The new Muscovite: David Hallberg dresses up for Vogue
Buttoned-up Bolle: Shock fashion spread shows Roberto Bolle fully clothed
For the Spring/Summer 2013 issue of Fantastic Man, Roberto Bolle is featured in a series of suits looking very distinguished; his famous pectorals hidden by shirts, jackets and ties: buttoned-up … [Read more...] about Buttoned-up Bolle: Shock fashion spread shows Roberto Bolle fully clothed
Italy’s Riccardo Tisci designs costumes for Abramovic’s Bolero
Italian designer Riccardo Tisci, a graduate from London's Central Saint Martins Academy, has been Givenchy's Creative Director for the last eight years. His first ballet costumes were seen last night … [Read more...] about Italy’s Riccardo Tisci designs costumes for Abramovic’s Bolero
Sylvano Bussotti: flamboyant composer, poet, set and costume designer, theatre director, and… and… and…
Silvano Bussotti, known as Sylvano, is an Italian eccentric, some say genius, and the word 'flamboyant' appears in many articles about this modern Renaissance man. He is a composer, poet, set and … [Read more...] about Sylvano Bussotti: flamboyant composer, poet, set and costume designer, theatre director, and… and… and…
Maria Callas’ costume for Macbeth at La Scala in 1952 in photos
Maria Callas' costumes evoke a special frisson of excitement: knowing that she was wearing it when she sang a role so loved from a recording, and, for a few, having actually seen her 60 years ago in … [Read more...] about Maria Callas’ costume for Macbeth at La Scala in 1952 in photos
Boris Bilinsky: costume and set designer for ballet, opera and film and legendary graphic artist
Boris Bilinsky was born in Odessa in 1900, but left Russia in 1920, escaping from the aftermath of the Revolution. He settled in Berlin where he was still able to collaborate with Russian theatres, … [Read more...] about Boris Bilinsky: costume and set designer for ballet, opera and film and legendary graphic artist
Adolphe Appia at La Scala: a new publication by the Amici della Scala
The Amici della Scala (Friends of La Scala) was formed in 1978 to promote music, art and culture in Milan and the Lombardy region, though the La Scala opera house is the focus of their … [Read more...] about Adolphe Appia at La Scala: a new publication by the Amici della Scala
Taste the music: an audience eats algae fed by an opera singer’s breath
Last weekend at London's V&A museum a gimmicky but fascinating piece of silly science was part of the London Design Festival. The Algae Opera has been formed for the event by the After … [Read more...] about Taste the music: an audience eats algae fed by an opera singer’s breath
The whiff of celebrity: Carla Fracci launches her new perfume, Aurora
David Beckham has his underwear collection, singer Jessica Simpson has a wildly popular fashion label, and Italian ballerina Carla Fracci has her perfume collection. Yesterday, in Milan's chic 10 … [Read more...] about The whiff of celebrity: Carla Fracci launches her new perfume, Aurora
Dubai will build its opera house and museum despite economic problems
Dubai will build its opera house and modern art museum as planned, the Dubai government has announced. The complex is to be built near Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower. Architectural … [Read more...] about Dubai will build its opera house and museum despite economic problems
Priscilla the Musical gives the Milan catwalks an added dash of kitsch
Today is carnival day in Milan: Sabato Grasso. It comes later than all the other carnival celebrations, and this year Milan was blessed with a 20°C sunny day which gave the tourists a good excuse to … [Read more...] about Priscilla the Musical gives the Milan catwalks an added dash of kitsch
Kinder Aggugini designs ballet costumes for MacMillan’s The Rite of Spring
British Vogue reports that Kinder Aggugini is teaming up with the English National Ballet to redesign the costumes for Kenneth MacMillan's The Rite of Spring, during the Beyond Ballets Russes season … [Read more...] about Kinder Aggugini designs ballet costumes for MacMillan’s The Rite of Spring
Amy Winehouse dress fetches $68,000 at auction
A printed chiffon dress worn by the late singer Amy Winehouse for the cover of her chart-topping album "Back to Black" has sold for £43,200 ($68,000) at auction. The hammer price was well above … [Read more...] about Amy Winehouse dress fetches $68,000 at auction
Raina Kabaivanska donates Roberto Capucci gowns for charity
One of opera's most elegant stars, Raina Kabaivanska, has donated a number of her concert gowns for a charity auction which starts today. The soprano, who will be 77 next month, has given many … [Read more...] about Raina Kabaivanska donates Roberto Capucci gowns for charity
Armani luxury hotel opens in Milan – close to La Scala and via Montenapoleone
Giorgio Armani opened a luxury hotel in the centre of Milan today. It is in via Manzoni, near to La Scala, the Montenapoleone shopping district, and that other great Milanese hotel Grand Hotel et de … [Read more...] about Armani luxury hotel opens in Milan – close to La Scala and via Montenapoleone
Christian Lacroix’s La Source costumes are as tacky as disco
Getting to know a critic's taste is important to get the most out of a review. I can be convinced to go and see something by a negative review because I know what the writer goes for. I was therefore … [Read more...] about Christian Lacroix’s La Source costumes are as tacky as disco
