To inaugurate its opera and ballet season, Genoa’s Teatro Carlo Felice devised an unusual double bill: Sull’essere angeli (On Being an Angel), a new work from choreographer Virgilio Sieni, and an … [Read more...] about [Review] Opening of Genoa’s Teatro Carlo Felice opera and ballet season
music & opera
Italian theatres return to 100% capacity
From today, 11 October, Italian theatres return to 100% capacity. After months of struggling with an income from 50% houses the Council of Ministers has decided that theatres, cinemas, and cultural … [Read more...] about Italian theatres return to 100% capacity
[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
The killer countertenor? An Italian crime story
The crime story of the killer countertenor has been capturing the headlines in Italy because of the peculiarity of the perpetrators more than the horrific nature of the murder. 27-year-old Mirto … [Read more...] about The killer countertenor? An Italian crime story
Cecilia Bartoli’s new album: Unreleased
Oddly, Decca has hidden away a recording from 2013 of Cecilia Bartoli singing dramatic concert arias from the classical period. The album - now called Unreleased - will be available from 12 November, … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli’s new album: Unreleased
The Royal Opera House’s opera and ballet streaming programme
The Royal Opera House has announced that six productions from its 2021-2022 season will be available via online streaming. New productions will be released online on certain Fridays from 1 October … [Read more...] about The Royal Opera House’s opera and ballet streaming programme
Leonard Bernstein’s MASS Turns 50
On 8 September 1971, the inauguration audience for the brand-new John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts experienced the world premiere of Leonard Bernstein's MASS: A Theatre Piece for Singers, … [Read more...] about Leonard Bernstein’s MASS Turns 50
Royal Opera House ballet and opera Cinema Season 2021-2022
The Royal Opera House will stream six productions to cinemas worldwide after an enforced 16-month hiatus. THE 2021/2022 ROYAL OPERA HOUSE CINEMA SEASON The Royal BalletTHE NUTCRACKERLive: … [Read more...] about Royal Opera House ballet and opera Cinema Season 2021-2022
Soprano Katia Ricciarelli to be contestant in Big Brother TV reality show
Katia Ricciarelli will be one of the contestants in the new series of Italy’s Grande fratello VIP. It’s not her first experience in such a programme, having participated in La fattoria (The Farm) in … [Read more...] about Soprano Katia Ricciarelli to be contestant in Big Brother TV reality show
Juan Diego Flórez interview: my 25 years with Rossini
Twenty-five years ago, Gramilano met a young Peruvian tenor in Milan. He was on his way to sing a small role in 'Ricciardo e Zoraide' at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro and was bright-eyed with … [Read more...] about Juan Diego Flórez interview: my 25 years with Rossini
Young ROH: Royal Opera House launches ticket scheme for 16-25 year-olds
30,000 tickets for Royal Opera House performances Monday to Thursday, offered at £25 for anyone aged 16 to 25 The Royal Opera House has launched its Young ROH scheme, offering 30,000 subsidised … [Read more...] about Young ROH: Royal Opera House launches ticket scheme for 16-25 year-olds
Riccardo Muti interview, part two: Pavarotti, communication, politics and music’s meaning
Riccardo Muti interview for his 80th birthday, part two You don't work for success, or the amount of applause and number of newspaper articles; you do it because you understand that our profession … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti interview, part two: Pavarotti, communication, politics and music’s meaning
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
Italian festivals of music and dance march onward with creative initiatives and Green Passes
The Italian festivals of music and dance are back. Last year most were saved in extremis during the summer lockdown lull, but this year there was time to come up with some more suitable, creative … [Read more...] about Italian festivals of music and dance march onward with creative initiatives and Green Passes
Free arts films from Marquee TV during August
Marquee TV, for the second year running, is offering 30 short works on its streaming platform for free during August. Opera, dance, theatre, and music are featured in its Summer Shorts … [Read more...] about Free arts films from Marquee TV during August
From stage to screen – the Royal Opera House returns to the cinema
The Royal Opera House makes a return to cinema after sixteen months of closure The Royal Opera House has announced the return of its cinema programme after sixteen months of closure. The … [Read more...] about From stage to screen – the Royal Opera House returns to the cinema
Italy mourns the death of opera director Graham Vick at 67
Italy mourns the loss of the opera director Graham Vick who died today at 67 of Covid-related complications. Vick worked extensively in Italy and the Teatro Fenice in Venice, the Macerata Opera … [Read more...] about Italy mourns the death of opera director Graham Vick at 67
The Verbier Festival returns to medici.tv
More than 30 concerts from the 2021 Verbier Festival will be broadcast live and available on replay on medici.tv Medici.tv will stream 32 concerts live from the Verbier Festival for the fifteenth … [Read more...] about The Verbier Festival returns to medici.tv
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
Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake: mutations, violins and homosexuality
As his swan song on leaving his position as Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Jurowski chose for the orchestra to play the entire score of Swan Lake. An odd choice? … [Read more...] about Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake: mutations, violins and homosexuality
