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Italy

Gina Lollobrigida at 90 on Loren, Castro, singing and sculpture: “I was the number one!”

4 July 2017 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Gina Lollobrigida, photo by Chiara Samugheo (Radiocorriere) 1965

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!”

Sophia Loren returns to the big screen after a decade

5 July 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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.

11 February 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

15 October 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

18 September 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

11 September 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

21 July 2012 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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

25 June 2012 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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

17 June 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

15 June 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

15 February 2012 by Gramilano 7 Comments

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

12 February 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

9 February 2012 by Gramilano 10 Comments

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)

9 February 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

1 February 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

10 January 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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.”

2 January 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

29 December 2011 by Gramilano 4 Comments

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

28 December 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

4 December 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

30 November 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

27 November 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

"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

21 October 2011 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Roberto_Bolle_La_Bayadere_Royal_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

20 October 2011 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

14 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

14 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

7 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

5 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

4 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

22 September 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

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NEWS

New York City Ballet 2023 Spring Season is announced

Principal Brandon Lawrence to leave Birmingham Royal Ballet to join Ballett Zürich

Two new opera recordings to be released by Warner Classics/Erato

Four new Principal dancers for New York City Ballet

LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live

Royal Ballet principal dancer Laura Morera to retire

Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Principal dancer Jared Angle to give final performance with NYCB

The Australian Ballet will tour to the Royal Opera House in August 2023

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GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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