Romanian-born baritone Sebastian Catana is well-known for his Verdi roles, but he has recently made his debut as Tonio in Pagliacci in Verona’s Arena to great acclaim, and now he’s singing the part at … [Read more...] about [Interview] Baritone Sebastian Catana: never scream or shout
interviews
Sergei Polunin: 700 years of inferno, purgatory and paradise
The Ravenna Festival has commissioned a new dance piece, Dante Metànoia, with choreography for Purgatory by Sergei Polunin, Inferno by Ross Freddie Ray and Paradiso by Jiří Bubeníček. The sole dancer … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin: 700 years of inferno, purgatory and paradise
Soprano Katia Ricciarelli to be contestant in Big Brother TV reality show
Katia Ricciarelli will be one of the contestants in the new series of Italy’s Grande fratello VIP. It’s not her first experience in such a programme, having participated in La fattoria (The Farm) in … [Read more...] about Soprano Katia Ricciarelli to be contestant in Big Brother TV reality show
Juan Diego Flórez interview: my 25 years with Rossini
Twenty-five years ago, Gramilano met a young Peruvian tenor in Milan. He was on his way to sing a small role in 'Ricciardo e Zoraide' at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro and was bright-eyed with … [Read more...] about Juan Diego Flórez interview: my 25 years with Rossini
Ballet22 – mxn en pointe
Lockdowns have been crippling for dancers and dance companies, but many have eagerly sought out silver linings and the enforced time out has given opportunities for reflection and reinvention. A … [Read more...] about Ballet22 – mxn en pointe
Riccardo Muti interview, part two: Pavarotti, communication, politics and music’s meaning
Riccardo Muti interview for his 80th birthday, part two You don't work for success, or the amount of applause and number of newspaper articles; you do it because you understand that our profession … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti interview, part two: Pavarotti, communication, politics and music’s meaning
Riccardo Muti interview: life, death, and the lack of seriousness
On the eve of his 80th birthday on 28 July, Riccardo Muti gave an exceptionally long interview to the Corriere della Sera’s Aldo Cazzullo. Here are some highlights. I'm tired of life, because this … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti interview: life, death, and the lack of seriousness
Roberto Bolle interview: Who I am now
Beginnings My physique could have led me to sport or cinema, but my passion for dance showed itself at an early age. When I was three years old, I would watch dance on television and try to copy … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle interview: Who I am now
Bolshoi Ballet director on injury, race, harassment and a new theatre
Makhar Vaziev, artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet company, talks about some of the most discussed problems in ballet today, as well as wanting a third theatre in Moscow for the Bolshoi opera and … [Read more...] about Bolshoi Ballet director on injury, race, harassment and a new theatre
Interview with Svetlana Zakharova: I was afraid of gaining weight
Svetlana Zakharova has been in Italy performing Pas de deux for Toes and Fingers, an evening with her husband, the violinist Vadim Repin, and four male dancers. Their next stop is Japan. [Touring] … [Read more...] about Interview with Svetlana Zakharova: I was afraid of gaining weight
[Interview] Baryshnikov on the Venice Biennale, death and laying himself bare
Mikhail Baryshnikov will open this year’s Biennale di Venezia – virtually – in the world premiere of Not Once, an ‘art installation with film’ by Jan Fabre, the Belgian multidisciplinary artist: … [Read more...] about [Interview] Baryshnikov on the Venice Biennale, death and laying himself bare
Jonas Kaufmann on his Verona debut, new album, and love of Italy
This season, Jonas Kaufmann makes his debut at Verona’s Arena. I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment. To sing in the Arena, one of the most magical places in the world, has been a dream … [Read more...] about Jonas Kaufmann on his Verona debut, new album, and love of Italy
Two ballet dancers on returning to the stage and dancers’ mental health
Dancers are emerging after the latest lockdown in many different ways. Some are lucky to have performed in their company’s theatre, without an audience, for online video streaming. Others find … [Read more...] about Two ballet dancers on returning to the stage and dancers’ mental health
Dancing Words – Roberto Bolle talks about his new book
Parole che danzano (Dancing Words) – Roberto Bolle's new book Over the years, there have been several coffee table books dedicated to the career and physique of Roberto Bolle. Parole che danzano … [Read more...] about Dancing Words – Roberto Bolle talks about his new book
Zubin Mehta reflects on a life in music on the eve of his 85th birthday
Zubin Mehta was rehearsing Così fan tutte in his beloved Florence, where he has collaborated for almost 60 years. I love this city, I am now part of the furniture. Intendent [Alexander] Pereira … [Read more...] about Zubin Mehta reflects on a life in music on the eve of his 85th birthday
António Casalinho – Introducing the 17-year-old Portuguese Dancer
17-year-old António Casalinho has just won the Prix de Lausanne. It’s one of a surprisingly long list of competitions where he was placed, with wins including the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix … [Read more...] about António Casalinho – Introducing the 17-year-old Portuguese Dancer
Bryn Terfel and his first UK opera appearance after lockdown
After lockdown, Bryn Terfel’s first UK opera appearance will be as Falstaff at Grange Park Opera in June. Grange Park Opera was founded in 1998 by Wasfi Kani and has since staged more than 75 … [Read more...] about Bryn Terfel and his first UK opera appearance after lockdown
[Interview] Antonio Pappano on adapting in strange times
Today is Antonio Pappano’s last day of quarantine after arriving in Italy to conduct a live-streamed performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah on 29 January with the Orchestra and Chorus of Santa Cecilia in … [Read more...] about [Interview] Antonio Pappano on adapting in strange times
[Interview] Cecilia Bartoli: Baroque music is for the soul
Why is Baroque music so popular? Baroque music is for the soul, connected to a period when there was great freedom of expression, which today we’ve lost. There is an aspect of Baroque music that … [Read more...] about [Interview] Cecilia Bartoli: Baroque music is for the soul
[Interview] Roberto Bolle: I’m very focused on what I do… that’s a difficult pact for anyone
Dedication I know I gave up my childhood, adolescence and youth, and I am also aware that those times will never come back. I was a soldier, always on the march. But I am not one of those … [Read more...] about [Interview] Roberto Bolle: I’m very focused on what I do… that’s a difficult pact for anyone
