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music & opera

Italian conductor Speranza Scappucci to become Principal Guest Conductor at the Royal Opera

5 June 2023 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Speranza Scappucci - Ian Ehm - 2022

The Royal Opera House has announced that Speranza Scappucci will become Principal Guest Conductor of The Royal Opera. She will take up the position in September 2025, at the start of the 2025-2026 … [Read more...] about Italian conductor Speranza Scappucci to become Principal Guest Conductor at the Royal Opera

Darell Moulton – piano expert and singing teacher – has died at the age of 79

2 June 2023 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Darell Moulton

Darell Moulton, one of the UK’s top piano experts and singing teachers, has died at the age of 79 after living with motor neurone disease. Darell was an extraordinary human being who I was proud to … [Read more...] about Darell Moulton – piano expert and singing teacher – has died at the age of 79

Lawrence Brownlee’s new album, Rising, is out tomorrow

1 June 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Lawrence Brownlee, Rising

Rising, Lawrence Brownlee’s new album, sees the tenor commission six of today’s leading African American composers to set poetry from the Harlem Renaissance to song. Warner Classics releases the album … [Read more...] about Lawrence Brownlee’s new album, Rising, is out tomorrow

The Florence opera house to sell its vast archive to avoid closure

31 May 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

The Maggio Musicale in Florence may sell off its large archive in a desperate attempt to find €8.5m by July, part of a huge debt left behind after Alexander Pereira resigned last February. Without … [Read more...] about The Florence opera house to sell its vast archive to avoid closure

La Scala Opera Season 2023-2024

29 May 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Don Pasquale, photo Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala

The 2023-2024 Opera Season of the Teatro alla Scala will present 14 productions, 10 of which are new: 2 operas by Giuseppe Verdi and 2 by Giacomo Puccini, and one opera each by Antonio Cesti, Luigi … [Read more...] about La Scala Opera Season 2023-2024

Gustavo Dudamel to leave the Paris Opera at end of 22/23 season

25 May 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Concert Gustav Mahler - Liceu de Barcelone, photo by Paco Amate 2022

The Paris Opera has announced that Gustavo Dudamel will resign as Music Director at the end of the 2022/2023 season for personal reasons. It is with a heavy heart, and after long consideration, … [Read more...] about Gustavo Dudamel to leave the Paris Opera at end of 22/23 season

Royal Opera House announces 2023-2024 opera and ballet Cinema Season

24 May 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Message in a Bottle hero image - Johan_Persson_

The Royal Opera House has announced its next Cinema Season with 13 productions, eight of which will be broadcast to screens around the world. The season begins in September when Music Director of … [Read more...] about Royal Opera House announces 2023-2024 opera and ballet Cinema Season

[Interview] Riccardo Frizza conducts the Verdi Requiem on the 150th anniversary of Manzoni’s death

19 May 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Riccardo Frizza, photo by Simone Falcetta, crop

Alessandro Manzoni died in Milan on 22 May 1873, 150 years ago. The Milanese poet, novelist and philosopher is famous for his novel I promessi sposi (The Betrothed, 1827), which is full of … [Read more...] about [Interview] Riccardo Frizza conducts the Verdi Requiem on the 150th anniversary of Manzoni’s death

[Interview] Conductor Henrik Nánási – immersing himself in the music

12 May 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Henrik Nánási by Gunnar Geller, crop

The Hungarian conductor Henrik Nánási will be conducting Rusalka at the Bayerische Staatsoper from 14 May, but his international career, and wide-ranging repertoire, will soon see him taking off … [Read more...] about [Interview] Conductor Henrik Nánási – immersing himself in the music

The bizarre story of Italian opera house musical chairs – Meyer, Fuortes, Lissner

9 May 2023 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Meyer, Fuortes, Lissner

An Italian story… Carlo Fuortes was brought in to manage the Rome Opera House at Christmas in 2013 when the theatre was on the verge of closing with a €32m debt. He overhauled the working practices … [Read more...] about The bizarre story of Italian opera house musical chairs – Meyer, Fuortes, Lissner

[Interview] Russian baritone Aleksei Isaev: Music is not politics

19 April 2023 by Alisa Alekseeva 1 Comment

Aleksei Isaev

Guest author Alisa Alekseeva talks to Russian baritone Aleksei Isaev Russian opera singer Aleksei Isaev regularly sings at the major European theatres. Last month he finished a run of performances … [Read more...] about [Interview] Russian baritone Aleksei Isaev: Music is not politics

[Interview] Talking with soprano Eleonora Buratto about Hoffmann, perfume and spumante

29 March 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Eleonora Buratto, photo by Dario Acosta crop

The current run of Les contes d’Hoffmann at La Scala sees soprano Eleonora Buratto making her debut as Antonia. After the opening night, I asked her how she was settling into her new role. It's a … [Read more...] about [Interview] Talking with soprano Eleonora Buratto about Hoffmann, perfume and spumante

An interview with soprano Virginia Zeani, 1925 – 2023

22 March 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Virginia Zeani:  21 October 1925 – 20 March 2023 In 2015, when the soprano Virginia Zeani was 90, I was asked to interview her, and we enjoyed (yes, we laughed a lot) a long video call where … [Read more...] about An interview with soprano Virginia Zeani, 1925 – 2023

[Review] Gian Carlo Menotti celebrated in Italy with The Medium and The Telephone

13 March 2023 by Gramilano 1 Comment

The Medium with Manuela Custer and Maria Eleonora Caminada, photo by M.I.

The Italian composer Gian Carlo Menotti is celebrated far more outside Italy than in his homeland, with his works being especially popular in the US. The (in)famous Italian critic Paolo Isotta wrote … [Read more...] about [Review] Gian Carlo Menotti celebrated in Italy with The Medium and The Telephone

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

8 March 2023 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Turandot

Two new opera recordings are to be released by Warner Classics/Erato later this month. Turandot The recording of Turandot, which is released on 10 March 2023, marks a number of important firsts. … [Read more...] about Two new opera recordings to be released by Warner Classics/Erato

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

15 February 2023 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Madina - Roberto Bolle, Antonella Albano and the corps de ballet, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala

Yesterday was the first live stream from LaScalaTv (of I Vespri siciliani with a superb cast) and other operas, ballets, concerts and recitals will follow. La Scala has been building up a catalogue … [Read more...] about LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live

[Interview] In conversation with Italian tenor Piero Pretti as he returns to La Scala for another debut

28 January 2023 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Piero Pretti crop

A new production of I Vespri Siciliani by Argentinian director Hugo de Ana – who has also designed the sets and costumes – opens at La Scala this evening, 28 January 2023. The performance will be … [Read more...] about [Interview] In conversation with Italian tenor Piero Pretti as he returns to La Scala for another debut

Franco Zeffirelli – The La Scala Years: an exhibition in Milan

14 January 2023 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Otello 1976 photo by Erio Piccagliani 01

Franco Zeffirelli was born in Florence on 12 January 1923. Teatro alla Scala anticipates the celebration of the great director's centenary with the exhibition “Franco Zeffirelli - The La Scala Years" … [Read more...] about Franco Zeffirelli – The La Scala Years: an exhibition in Milan

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

31 December 2022 by Gramilano 4 Comments

in memoriam 2022

In memoriam 2022: a personal list of some of the artists the world lost in 2022 NameDatesAgeDescriptionMax Riebl26 June 1991 - 30 April 202230Australian countertenorOleksandr Shapoval9 … [Read more...] about In Memoriam 2022: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors

1.5 million television spectators for Boris Godunov at La Scala

8 December 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, Italian president, Sergio Mattarella, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, mayors and ministers

An opera in Russian, with a 6pm starting time, attracted one and a half million viewers (over 9% of the share) on Italian television. Certainly something of a success for La Scala's season opening … [Read more...] about 1.5 million television spectators for Boris Godunov at La Scala

La Scala’s glitzy season opening with Boris Godunov: Protests, Putin and politicians

7 December 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

03 - Scenes from a rehearsal of Boris Godunov at La Scala on 11 November 2022, photo by Brescia e Amisano crop

This evening the curtain goes up at La Scala on the opera to open the season, Boris Godunov. Ukrainians asked for the Russian opera to be replaced. Then the idea emerged that the opera could be … [Read more...] about La Scala’s glitzy season opening with Boris Godunov: Protests, Putin and politicians

Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov on Boris Godunov, his 89th performance at La Scala

6 December 2022 by Gramilano 7 Comments

09 - Scenes from a rehearsal of Boris Godunov at La Scala on 11 November 2022, photo by Brescia e Amisano crop

The Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov will be Boris Godunov for the opening of Milan’s opera season on 7 December 2022. It will be Abdrazakov’s 89th appearance on La Scala’s stage and his seventh time … [Read more...] about Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov on Boris Godunov, his 89th performance at La Scala

[Review] Italian countertenor Raffaele Pe’s exuberant Purcell recital

3 December 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

RAFFAELE PE

Italian countertenor Raffaele Pe has had somewhat of a slow-burning career. He’s now 37 and a father of three, yet his first professional engagement was just eight years ago. The late start seems to … [Read more...] about [Review] Italian countertenor Raffaele Pe’s exuberant Purcell recital

Michael Fabiano’s ArtSmart online auction to raise funds for youth music education

28 November 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

All My Soul is Here - a portrait of Michael Fabiano by Sal Jones crop

ArtSmart was started in 2015, founded by the opera singers Michael Fabiano and John Viscardi. Its aim is to “transform the lives of youth in under-resourced communities across the United States” … [Read more...] about Michael Fabiano’s ArtSmart online auction to raise funds for youth music education

Raffaele Pe answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

24 November 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Raffaele Pe, photo by Nicola Allegri_crop

Q&A When did you start singing? I never started – I just did it! Why did you start singing? I cannot imagine human life without, as Plato would say… Which singer inspired you most … [Read more...] about Raffaele Pe answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Ukrainian children’s choir rehearses in a bomb shelter before its New York concert

19 November 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Shchedryk Choir

The Shchedryk Children’s Choir from Ukraine has been rehearsing in a bomb shelter for its concert at Carnegie Hall in New York in December. After the recent increase in missile strikes in Kyiv the … [Read more...] about Ukrainian children’s choir rehearses in a bomb shelter before its New York concert

[Review] Cecilia Bartoli is Alcina in Florence, displaying the pinnacle of her art

9 November 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

05 - Alcina - photo by Michele Monasta, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

TitleAlcinaCompanyMaggio Musicale FiorentinoVenueTeatro del MaggioDate26 October 2022ReviewerGraham Spicer Teatro del Maggio Musicale in Florence has restaged Cecilia Bartoli’s 2019 Salzburg hit, … [Read more...] about [Review] Cecilia Bartoli is Alcina in Florence, displaying the pinnacle of her art

Dischi Fenice – a hidden jewel in the heart of Florence, for music and…

4 November 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Dischi Fenice, Florence 2

A Google search will tell you that Dischi Fenice is a ‘record store’, but it is so much more than that. One of a disappearing breed of shops, it sells CDs, LPs and DVDs, it’s true, but it is also … [Read more...] about Dischi Fenice – a hidden jewel in the heart of Florence, for music and…

Angelina Jolie to play Maria Callas in biopic

24 October 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Maria Callas in 1960, photo Teatro alla Scala

Angelina Jolie will play Maria Callas in a film by Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín, known for the 2021 film Spencer, one of several of his Oscar-nominated films The biopic will focus on Callas’s … [Read more...] about Angelina Jolie to play Maria Callas in biopic

[Review] The Met’s Medea – a tour de force performance from Radvanovsky

13 October 2022 by Jonathan Gray 6 Comments

Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role of Cherubinis Medea Photo by Marty Sohl–Met Opera

Guest author Jonathan Gray sees the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Medea TitleMedeaCompanyThe Metropolitan OperaVenueMetropolitan Opera House, Lincoln CenterDate8 October … [Read more...] about [Review] The Met’s Medea – a tour de force performance from Radvanovsky

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Italian conductor Speranza Scappucci to become Principal Guest Conductor at the Royal Opera

Winners of the UK 2023 National Dance Awards

Royal Ballet casting for autumn performances 2023 with role debuts

Lawrence Brownlee’s new album, Rising, is out tomorrow

The Florence opera house to sell its vast archive to avoid closure

La Scala Ballet Season 2023-2024

La Scala Opera Season 2023-2024

Gustavo Dudamel to leave the Paris Opera at end of 22/23 season

Royal Opera House announces 2023-2024 opera and ballet Cinema Season

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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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