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 Ripieni … [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 three … [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
Nanni Moretti’s Habemus Papam (We Have a Pope) opens in the UK
Left-wing Italian film-maker, Nanni Moretti, has attacked many institutions in his time: his 2006 film The Caiman laid in to Berlusconi. Not a surprise then that the Catholic Church … [Read more...] about Nanni Moretti’s Habemus Papam (We Have a Pope) opens in the UK
Priscilla Queen of the Desert kicks off its heels in Milan
"Every conceivable surface has been decked with sequins, spattered with coloured lights, plastered in mirrored chips or trimmed in feathers and fringe in “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” said the New … [Read more...] about Priscilla Queen of the Desert kicks off its heels in Milan
Roberto Bolle on boys and ballet
The Corriere della Sera's Valeria Crippa asked Roberto Bolle what is causing an increase in the numbers of boys studying ballet: There's been a positive trend over recent years. Films like … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle on boys and ballet
”The greatest white singer in the world” hunts for mystery songwriter
Like Prince Charming looking for the owner of the glass slipper, reclusive Italian singing legend Mina launched a social media campaign Tuesday to identify who wrote a song on her upcoming album, said … [Read more...] about ”The greatest white singer in the world” hunts for mystery songwriter
Barenboim named as La Scala’s musical director
Daniel Barenboim has been named musical director of Milan's iconic La Scala opera house, filling a post left vacant when Riccardo Muti stormed out in 2005 amid artistic differences. Barenboim, 68, who … [Read more...] about Barenboim named as La Scala’s musical director
English Lads Can Dance! says Italy’s L’Uomo Vogue
Bruce Weber photographed the dancers of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake for the January 2011 issue of L'Uomo Vogue. ‘English Lads Can Dance!’ was styled by Deborah Watson, and the dancers are Richard … [Read more...] about English Lads Can Dance! says Italy’s L’Uomo Vogue
British WWI liner found off Genoa
Italian divers on Friday located in the waters off Genoa the wreck of a luxury British transatlantic liner sunk by a German submarine during the First World War when it was being used by the Royal … [Read more...] about British WWI liner found off Genoa
Italy’s top chef is working at McDonald’s
Gualtiero Marchesi, the first chef in Italy to earn three Michelin stars, has created two hamburgers and a dessert for the Italian menu of the world's biggest fast food chain. "I simply asked what … [Read more...] about Italy’s top chef is working at McDonald’s
Special events banned near Rome tourist icons until 2012
Special events will be banned at Rome's iconic tourist attractions Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain until the end of the year because of a rash of recent attacks by vandals. Rome Mayor Gianni … [Read more...] about Special events banned near Rome tourist icons until 2012
BBC Worldwide to sue Silvio Berlusconi’s TV network
BBC Worldwide is suing an Italian television network owned by Silvio Berlusconi over claims that it has copied Strictly Come Dancing. A hearing is due to take place on tomorrow about a new show called … [Read more...] about BBC Worldwide to sue Silvio Berlusconi’s TV network