• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • HOME
  • POPULAR POSTS
    • DANCE
    • MUSIC & OPERA
    • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
    • DANCERS
    • SINGERS
  • MY PHOTOS
  • CONTACT
gramilano logo

Gramilano

- dance, opera, photography...

*music & opera

The secrets of the Stradivari and Guarneri sound

28 November 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Stradivari

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

Cecilia Bartoli’s Farinelli tribute in her father’s hometown

21 November 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Cecilia Bartoli - Farinelli e il suo tempo, Teatro del Maggio Musicale Firenze

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

9 October 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Sebastian Catana

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

14 August 2021 by Gramilano 7 Comments

Riccardo Muti © Todd Rosenberg Photography, by courtesy of riccardomutimusic.com

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

27 June 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Jonas Kaufmann and Helmut Deutsch © Lena Wunderlich, Sony Classical

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

24 May 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Reopening concert, photos by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala (5)

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

3 December 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Werther ONP 2010 Decca © Christine Cerletti, aus Jonas Kaufmann, Eine Bilderreise, VfmK, ISBN 9783903269750

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

2 December 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Anna Netrebko, photo by Ruven Afanador

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

7 November 2018 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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

22 October 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

31 May 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Jonas Kaufmann

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

1 March 2018 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov in cover art for the Romanza album

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

20 February 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Lawrence Brownlee, © Shervin Lainez

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

22 November 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Dmitri Hvorostovsky, La Scala recital 23 November 1992, photo by Lelli e Masotti crop

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

3 November 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

1980 Tosca photo by Lelli e Masotti

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

20 October 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Gregory Kunde as Otello, photo by Matthias Baus, Teatro alla Scala 2015

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

17 October 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

2 1 dracula

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

13 September 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Maria Callas at La Scala, recording Il trovatore in 1956

"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

29 May 2017 by Gramilano 1 Comment

ALBERT MEMORIAL AND THE NORTH ENTRANCE TO THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL © Marcus Ginns

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

6 May 2017 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Thomas Hampson by Jiyang Chen

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

24 April 2017 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Diana Damrau by Jürgen Frank 4

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

28 February 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

La traviata, Teatro alla Scala 2017 3

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

27 December 2016 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Anita Rachvelishvili at La Scala, 2016

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

30 October 2016 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Daniela Dessi in Chi magazine

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

21 October 2016 by Gramilano 8 Comments

Luca Pisaroni as Leporello in Don Giovanni at Glyndebourne   photo by Bill Cooper

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

21 August 2016 by Gramilano 25 Comments

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’

10 August 2016 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

22 July 2016 by Gramilano 15 Comments

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

18 May 2016 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

18 May 2016 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

SUBSCRIBE

Gramilano newsletter 2019

CATEGORIES

FOLLOW

  • 20,900 Subscribers
  • 26,149 Followers
  • 236k Followers
  • 602 Subscribers
  • 3,390 Followers
  • 19,798 Followers

NEWS

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

Les Étoiles – the starry Rome gala at the end of January, now with two programmes

Alexei Ratmansky joins New York City Ballet as Artist in Residence

Ballet dancer Denis Vieira dies in Cyprus at 31

Bruno Vescovo, former principal dancer with the La Scala Ballet, has died at 73

In Memoriam 2022: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors

Sergei Polunin’s Rasputin show in Milan is cancelled

FEATURED POSTS

Lawrence Brownlee, © Shervin Lainez

Interview with tenor Lawrence Brownlee on being a black man in America: Cycles of My Being

Thomas Hampson by Jiyang Chen

Thomas Hampson answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

franco fagioli © thibault stipal, 2014

Franco Fagioli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Dance injuries from the ballet dancer’s point of view: top stars share their experiences

You choose it out of Love! Dancing with the Khan-MacKay family

Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov in cover art for the Romanza album

Interview with Anna Netrebko on her son, his autism and his abandonment by his father Erwin Schrott

António Casalinho, photo by Nikita Alba crop

António Casalinho – Introducing the 17-year-old Portuguese Dancer

Luca Pisaroni as Leporello in Don Giovanni at Glyndebourne   photo by Bill Cooper

In conversation with Luca Pisaroni: back to Milan with his La Scala debut

The Tricks of the Trocks: powder, ice and pointe shoes

Steven McRae by Rick Guest crop

The Royal Ballet’s Steven McRae on injury: turning weakness into strength

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.

Referred-to-by

SEARCH

Copyright © 2023 · Gramilano · All rights reserved

about me · contact me · privacy and cookies

Would you like to receive an email whenever we publish a new post?

SUBSCRIBE