A German chemistry journal is not the first place one would expect to find an article on violins, but Angewandte Chemie has published an article on the secrets of the 17th-century Italian … [Read more...] about The secrets of the Stradivari and Guarneri sound
*music & opera
Cecilia Bartoli’s Farinelli tribute in her father’s hometown
The enchantingly beautiful Teatro Galli in Rimini was dark for 75 years after a bomb destroyed much of the theatre in 1943. Cecilia Bartoli gave the inaugural concert in 2018 as she has strong ties … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli’s Farinelli tribute in her father’s hometown
[Interview] Baritone Sebastian Catana: never scream or shout
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
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
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
Opera at La Scala cancelled for Covid-19
La Scala has been forced to cancel tomorrow's performance of L'italiana in Algeri after a company member tested positive yesterday morning, Sunday 23 May, for Covid-19. Only one performance for … [Read more...] about Opera at La Scala cancelled for Covid-19
Jonas Kaufmann: A Picture Journey – a glorious new book celebrates the tenor’s 50th birthday in photos
Jonas Kaufmann was 50 on 10 July this year. To celebrate, the esteemed Vienna-based publishing house Verlag für moderne Kunst has produced – in collaboration with Kaufmann – a glorious picture book … [Read more...] about Jonas Kaufmann: A Picture Journey – a glorious new book celebrates the tenor’s 50th birthday in photos
Interview with Anna Netrebko on Tosca at La Scala: kissing, killing, and Kabaivanska
Anna Netrebko opens the new season at La Scala – as each year, on 7 December – as Tosca. It will be her fourth time in what is always a prestigious occasion (Italy’s President and other dignitaries … [Read more...] about Interview with Anna Netrebko on Tosca at La Scala: kissing, killing, and Kabaivanska
Aged 97, Franco Zeffirelli will stage a new production of Rigoletto
At 95, Franco Zeffirelli is returning to the opera house to direct a new production of Rigoletto. The opera will open in September 2020 at the Royal Opera House in Muscat when the Zeffirelli will be … [Read more...] about Aged 97, Franco Zeffirelli will stage a new production of Rigoletto
In conversation with Jakub Józef Orliński
Jakub Józef Orliński is the new countertenor name to add to an ever-growing roster of artists who are selling discs and selling out concert halls in this once rarefied area of the vocal arts. Polish … [Read more...] about In conversation with Jakub Józef Orliński
Interview with Jonas Kaufmann: opera in the age of #MeToo and why he refused to go to the sauna
Jonas Kaufmann: [#MeToo is happening in opera] and not just for the girls! We men are at risk too! I know the situation well because as a young man it happened to me. I was at the beginning of my … [Read more...] about Interview with Jonas Kaufmann: opera in the age of #MeToo and why he refused to go to the sauna
Interview with Anna Netrebko on her son, his autism and his abandonment by his father Erwin Schrott
Anna Netrebko, soon after her performances of Andrea Chénier at La Scala, talked about her son, his autism and the abandonment by his father, bass-baritone Erwin Schrott. When I realized that Tiago … [Read more...] about Interview with Anna Netrebko on her son, his autism and his abandonment by his father Erwin Schrott
Interview with tenor Lawrence Brownlee on being a black man in America: Cycles of My Being
A new song cycle exploring the realities of life as a black man in America will receive its world premiere performance with Opera Philadelphia tonight, then in Chicago at the DuSable Museum of African … [Read more...] about Interview with tenor Lawrence Brownlee on being a black man in America: Cycles of My Being
La Scala remembers Dmitri Hvorostovsky who has died at 55
Teatro alla Scala has learnt with profound sorrow of the loss, after a long illness, of the baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Born in Krasnoyarsk in 1962, Hvorostovsky was one of the most esteemed voices … [Read more...] about La Scala remembers Dmitri Hvorostovsky who has died at 55
Stunning photos from La Scala archives celebrate Raina Kabaivanska’s return to the theatre
As part of the Great Voices at La Scala series, Raina Kabaivanska will be interviewed Sabino Lenoci and Giancarlo Landini of Italy’s L’Opera magazine in the theatre at 4pm, Saturday 4 … [Read more...] about Stunning photos from La Scala archives celebrate Raina Kabaivanska’s return to the theatre
Top opera singers discuss how they choose and prepare new roles
Opera singing is a high-wire profession. Only the most tone-deaf will not wince when a note is off. It is all too obvious when part of a role lies too high, or too low or, indeed, hovers too much … [Read more...] about Top opera singers discuss how they choose and prepare new roles
Vampires are taking over the opera house
When the Royal Swedish Opera announced their “Night of the Vampires” dress rehearsal event on Facebook on 15 September, it became clear that there is a major popular culture interest in vampires. In … [Read more...] about Vampires are taking over the opera house
Maria Callas in newly restored photos from the La Scala archive
"Silence - Recording in Progress" reads the sign, as Maria Callas arrives at La Scala to record Il trovatore in 1956. More than any other theatre, Callas is linked with the great opera house in Milan. … [Read more...] about Maria Callas in newly restored photos from the La Scala archive
A box in the Royal Albert Hall goes for £2.76m
Jim Ratcliffe, the 64-year-old 'British chemical engineer turned financier and industrialist' - and, according to Forbes, is worth around 10 billion dollars - has bought a box in the Royal Albert Hall … [Read more...] about A box in the Royal Albert Hall goes for £2.76m
Thomas Hampson answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? In the crib. Apparently, I was a very vocal baby … no seriously, I already sang as a child. Why did you start singing? I loved tunes and music always … [Read more...] about Thomas Hampson answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
CD review: Diana Damrau in Meyerbeer’s Grand Operas – a diva in her prime
Meyerbeer: GRAND OPERA with Diana Damrau This glorious new album finds Diana Damrau in sparkling, top-notch form. The exacting demands that Meyerbeer makes on the soprano voice are shrugged off by … [Read more...] about CD review: Diana Damrau in Meyerbeer’s Grand Operas – a diva in her prime
Traviata opens tonight at La Scala… here’s a sneak peek
The staging of La traviata is the lavish Liliana Cavani production with sets by Dante Ferretti with which Verdi’s masterpiece returned to La Scala in 1990 conducted by Riccardo Muti. It was performed … [Read more...] about Traviata opens tonight at La Scala… here’s a sneak peek
Anita Rachvelishvili and David Aladashvili cast magic at La Scala
It’s not often that the accompanist for a recital is mentioned in the opening paragraph of a review, but Anita Rachvelishvili’s recital at La Scala with pianist David Aladashvili was a true joint … [Read more...] about Anita Rachvelishvili and David Aladashvili cast magic at La Scala
Maria Callas to Daniela Dessì: study to be good, not famous
The popular Italian gossip magazine Chi has published a series of articles about soprano Daniela Dessì. Her death at 59, just over two months ago, shocked the opera world, and beyond: Chi is not a … [Read more...] about Maria Callas to Daniela Dessì: study to be good, not famous
In conversation with Luca Pisaroni: back to Milan with his La Scala debut
Italian bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni will make his house debut at La Scala in 2017 as Leporello. It will be only the second opera he has sung in Italy. The performances of Don Giovanni are just before … [Read more...] about In conversation with Luca Pisaroni: back to Milan with his La Scala debut
Daniela Dessi dies after a short illness, at 59
Italian soprano Daniela Dessi has died after a short battle with cancer of the colon. She was just 59. She possessed one of the most beautiful voices on the opera stage today. Recently she was … [Read more...] about Daniela Dessi dies after a short illness, at 59
Young mezzo Lilly Jørstad wins important grant from her ‘homeland’
Lilly Jørstad — the mezzo-soprano who was strangely considered ‘unsuitable’ to continue her studies at the La Scala Academy — has gone on to demonstrate what a bizarre decision that was. She has been … [Read more...] about Young mezzo Lilly Jørstad wins important grant from her ‘homeland’
Pavarotti’s family tells Trump to stop using Nessun Dorma
Luciano Pavarotti’s three daughters Lorenza, Cristina and Giuliana, together with his widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, have requested that the Trump campaign stops using the Maestro’s voice. A statement … [Read more...] about Pavarotti’s family tells Trump to stop using Nessun Dorma
La Scala Recital and Concert Season 2016-2017 – full dates and interpreters
The concert programme includes some of the greatest living conductors. Riccardo Chailly will be on the podium for two evenings of the Symphony Season, Verdi’s Requiem in October, and the concert to … [Read more...] about La Scala Recital and Concert Season 2016-2017 – full dates and interpreters
La Scala Opera Season 2016-2017 – full dates and casts
Ballet Season 2016-2017 Recital and Concert Season 2016-2017 The new season opens with another step along the path of Riccardo Chailly’s Puccini Project, Madama Butterfly, which will be … [Read more...] about La Scala Opera Season 2016-2017 – full dates and casts
