When I can to Rome the first time with my family we were six in one room: father, mother and four children. Gina Lollobrigida, who today celebrates her 90th birthday, has for many years lived in her … [Read more...] about Gina Lollobrigida at 90 on Loren, Castro, singing and sculpture: “I was the number one!”
Italy
Sophia Loren returns to the big screen after a decade
Sophia Loren will be returning to the big screen in a film based on Jean Cocteau's 1930s play La Voce Umana (The Human Voice). Loren last appeared in the cinema in Lina Wertmuller's Peperoni … [Read more...] about Sophia Loren returns to the big screen after a decade
Pope resigns! Extraordinary news from Rome.
Pope Benedict XVI said at a meeting of cardinals this morning that he will resign as pontiff at the end of this month: Dear Brothers, I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the … [Read more...] about Pope resigns! Extraordinary news from Rome.
Saturday nights heat up as Tony Manero struts into Milan
Tony Manero is coming to town in a brand new production of Saturday Night Fever, performed in an all-Italian translation as La Febbre del Sabato Sera. After a few months of touring in the … [Read more...] about Saturday nights heat up as Tony Manero struts into Milan
Milan’s Teatro Franco Parenti celebrates its birthday with an orgy of Hamlets
One of the most respected Milanese theatres was born from an artistic collaboration between three pillars of Italian theatre: the director Franco Parenti, writer Giovanni Testori and up-and-coming … [Read more...] about Milan’s Teatro Franco Parenti celebrates its birthday with an orgy of Hamlets
Conductor Giuseppe Sinopli’s brother beaten into a coma by drunk thugs
Gabriele Sinopoli, brother of the late, great orchrestra conductor Giuseppe, has emerged from a coma after being attacked by a group of drunks. They kept punching me in the head, one seemed like a … [Read more...] about Conductor Giuseppe Sinopli’s brother beaten into a coma by drunk thugs
Filippo Timi can be excellent, so he shouldn’t be anything less: Romeo and Juliet in Milan
What to think of Filippo Timi? After the extraordinary success of his Amleto² (Hamlet squared) comes Giuliett' e Romeo (a loose adaptation of Romeo and Juliet). There are just five characters: the … [Read more...] about Filippo Timi can be excellent, so he shouldn’t be anything less: Romeo and Juliet in Milan
La Famiglia: opera Italian-style with the Muti family
Riccardo Muti’s daughter is about to make her directing début: Chiara Muti will direct Hindemith’s Sancta Susanna, which her father will conduct, for the Ravenna Festival. Oh yes, her mother, Cristina … [Read more...] about La Famiglia: opera Italian-style with the Muti family
Roberto Bolle – interviewed by Sportweek – on football, ultras, Beckham and tattoos
Another day, another cover. After the Chi magazine article a couple of days ago comes a 7-page spread in the equally popular men's magazine Sportweek, the weekly insert of the sports daily La Gazzetta … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle – interviewed by Sportweek – on football, ultras, Beckham and tattoos
Sorpresa! Cecilia Bartoli returns to La Scala after a 20 year gap
It was announced yesterday that Cecilia Bartoli will return to Milan’s La Scala after an absence of twenty years. The singer, feted abroad but largely ignored in her homeland, was working on a project … [Read more...] about Sorpresa! Cecilia Bartoli returns to La Scala after a 20 year gap
Italy’s queen of song, Mina, salutes ‘angel’ Whitney Houston
Italian music legend Mina has saluted late soul-pop superstar Whitney Houston as an "angel" who invented a new way of singing. The reclusive star who writes a weekly column for Italy's Vanity Fair … [Read more...] about Italy’s queen of song, Mina, salutes ‘angel’ Whitney Houston
Gay association asks for Valentine’s Day discount
Gay advocacy association Equality Italia has asked that gay and lesbian couples be included in cultural initiative discounting entrance fees for Italian state museums on Valentine's Day. According … [Read more...] about Gay association asks for Valentine’s Day discount
Carla Fracci, Riccardo Muti, and the destruction of ballet in Italy
For almost two years - that is, since the departure of Carla Fracci as a director - the Ballet of the Rome Opera seems to have fallen prey to evil spirits, or at least incompetent ones, who have … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci, Riccardo Muti, and the destruction of ballet in Italy
Why Mario Monti Is the Most Important Man in Europe (and on the cover of Time magazine)
At first glance, it seems impossible that the fate of the world economy rests in Mario Monti's hands - says Time magazine. The Prime Minister of Italy has the aura of a gentlemanly grandfather — … [Read more...] about Why Mario Monti Is the Most Important Man in Europe (and on the cover of Time magazine)
Tuscans leave their clothes at the restaurant door in response to Monti’s economic measures
A restaurateur near the Tuscan town of Pisa has bared his all to fight the continuing economic crisis in Italy. Better yet, he has asked his customers to do so, said ANSA. The Monti government has … [Read more...] about Tuscans leave their clothes at the restaurant door in response to Monti’s economic measures
Vatican museums hit new record in 2011: more than 5 million visitors
The Vatican Museums broke their own record for visitor numbers to any site in Italy in 2011, attracting more than five million people for the first time, Director Antonio Paolucci said Tuesday. "By … [Read more...] about Vatican museums hit new record in 2011: more than 5 million visitors
Del Monaco regains consciousness: “It was lucky that I escaped, otherwise she would have slaughtered me.”
Claudio Del Monaco remains in a chronic condition but the prognosis is more positive, though doctors at Treviso's Ca 'Foncello hospital haven't yet taken him off the danger list. Del Monaco, … [Read more...] about Del Monaco regains consciousness: “It was lucky that I escaped, otherwise she would have slaughtered me.”
Opera director Claudio Del Monaco, son of the famous tenor, stabbed by wife
Claudio Del Monaco, the 64 year-old son of tenor Mario del Monaco, was seriously injured last night from stab wounds allegedly inflicted by his wife. Del Monaco, an opera director, and his 35 year-old … [Read more...] about Opera director Claudio Del Monaco, son of the famous tenor, stabbed by wife
Spumante will beat champagne worldwide on New Year’s Eve
Italian spumante will beat French champagne when corks are popped around the world this New Year's Eve, The Italian bubbly is set to edge out its French elder cousin thanks to a record 25% rise in … [Read more...] about Spumante will beat champagne worldwide on New Year’s Eve
A ballerina speaks out: Mariafrancesca Garritano, La Scala soloist, talks frankly about the eating-disorders which plague the company
Sant'Ambrogio (Saint Ambrose) is Milan's patron saint, and on his Saint's Day, 7th December, Milan's opera house La Scala opens its new season. However, one of the ballet soloists has chosen the eve … [Read more...] about A ballerina speaks out: Mariafrancesca Garritano, La Scala soloist, talks frankly about the eating-disorders which plague the company
