Graham Spicer sees Jakub Józef Orliński and Michał Biel make their debut at La Scala in a first-rate programme rewarded by a standing ovation. TitleRecitalCompanyJakub Józef Orliński - Michał … [Read more...] about Review: Jakub Józef Orliński’s debut recital brings La Scala to its feet
music & opera
Where Worlds Converge: the rich history and modern renaissance of the Spoleto Festival
26 June to 12 July 2026, the 69th Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto: the first edition led by the new Artistic Director Daniele Cipriani relaunches the Menottian spirit with a programme of world and … [Read more...] about Where Worlds Converge: the rich history and modern renaissance of the Spoleto Festival
La Scala’s 2026-2027 Opera Season announced
Thirteen opera titles, from the end of the 17th century to the most recent in 1987, form the opera season at La Scala for 2026-2027. Three operas will be performed at La Scala for the first time, … [Read more...] about La Scala’s 2026-2027 Opera Season announced
Felicity Lott – a personal remembrance
Felicity Lott has died at the age of 79. The British soprano was one of the first people I met when I arrived in London. A confused first kiss was sorted out when she told this lad from the provinces, … [Read more...] about Felicity Lott – a personal remembrance
Preview: Riccardo Chailly conducts Nabucodonosor, opening tonight at La Scala
Nabucodonosor opens tonight, 16 May, for a nine-performance run with outgoing music director, Riccardo Chailly, conducting his tenth Verdi title at La Scala. It will be the 210th time that the opera … [Read more...] about Preview: Riccardo Chailly conducts Nabucodonosor, opening tonight at La Scala
Royal Opera House’s new curtains unveiled to King Charles III
Last night, the Royal Ballet and Opera unveiled its new Main Stage curtains at the Spring Gala. Attended by His Majesty King Charles III, the occasion not only marked a milestone in the … [Read more...] about Royal Opera House’s new curtains unveiled to King Charles III
Milan celebrates 80th Anniversary of La Scala’s reopening after devastating World War II bombing
In August 1943, Milan was bombed by Allied planes. On the night between 15 and 16 August the city centre and the Teatro alla Scala were seriously damaged. A photographic exhibition, La Scala Reborn … [Read more...] about Milan celebrates 80th Anniversary of La Scala’s reopening after devastating World War II bombing
English National Opera’s ENO Breathe programme proven to improve long COVID
A new study published in The Lancet Digital Health has found that ENO Breathe, a breathing and wellbeing programme developed by English National Opera (ENO) in collaboration with clinicians … [Read more...] about English National Opera’s ENO Breathe programme proven to improve long COVID
Royal Ballet and Opera unveils new stage curtains during special Gala performance
On Thursday 14 May, following almost three decades of service and tens of thousands of performances, the Royal Ballet and Opera will unveils its new stage curtains as part of a Gala … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet and Opera unveils new stage curtains during special Gala performance
Interview: Tenor Dave Monaco, at 30, reflects on his journey to becoming one of the world’s most exciting opera singers.
Tenor Dave Monaco chats with Graham Spicer about his journey to becoming one of today’s most sought-after Rossini and Mozart singers. Dave Monaco just turned 30, and his career is flourishing. He … [Read more...] about Interview: Tenor Dave Monaco, at 30, reflects on his journey to becoming one of the world’s most exciting opera singers.
Teatro La Fenice in Venice and Beatrice Venezi – set to become the theatre’s first music director – cut ties
Beatrice Venezi is no longer the appointed music director at Teatro La Fenice in Venice. The theatre and the conductor have terminated their relationship. The theatre’s Foundation announced that … [Read more...] about Teatro La Fenice in Venice and Beatrice Venezi – set to become the theatre’s first music director – cut ties
The Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Artists Programme – celebrating 25 years of discovering opera’s brightest new stars
The Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Artists Programme celebrates its 25th anniversary in the 2026-2027 season, marking a quarter of a century of discovering, nurturing and training the next generation of … [Read more...] about The Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Artists Programme – celebrating 25 years of discovering opera’s brightest new stars
The Royal Opera – complete 2026-2027 Season
The Royal Opera presents the 2026-2027 Season of new productions and acclaimed revivals. In her Main Stage debut, Royal Opera Associate Director Netia Jones –renowned for her inventive use of digital … [Read more...] about The Royal Opera – complete 2026-2027 Season
Review: Chicago Opera Theater’s production of Kurt Weill’s Der Silbersee
Scott C Morgan sees Chicago Opera Theater – the Windy City's second-oldest and often more adventurous opera company – in Kurt Weill’s Der Silbersee. TitleDer Silbersee (The Silver Lake)CompanyChicago … [Read more...] about Review: Chicago Opera Theater’s production of Kurt Weill’s Der Silbersee
Review: The Opera Locos break all the classical rules in ‘Yllana’
Graham Watts sees The Opera Locos' Yllana – I started in a very sceptical mood but ended as an upbeat believer! TitleYllana CompanyThe Opera LocosVenueSadler’s Wells Theatre, LondonDate24 February … [Read more...] about Review: The Opera Locos break all the classical rules in ‘Yllana’
Review: Norwegian National Opera’s Barber of Seville
Graham Watts sees Il barbiere di Siviglia with the Norwegian National Opera and Alasdair Kent (a mesmerising performance), Lilly Jørstad (great beauty and clarity of tone), and Gurgen Baveyen … [Read more...] about Review: Norwegian National Opera’s Barber of Seville
Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities Opens Its Doors To The Public
New 500-seat concert hall opens with concert by the Scottish Ensemble New 250-seat theatre opens with dance by ZooNation Unveil of new digital art by Refik Anadol and Anna Ridler World … [Read more...] about Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities Opens Its Doors To The Public
Review: Lyric Opera of Chicago revives David McVicar’s Salome
Scott C Morgan sees David McVicar’s 2008 production of Salome with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, which feels more relevant today after the #MeToo movement and the Epstein files … [Read more...] about Review: Lyric Opera of Chicago revives David McVicar’s Salome
Interview: Katia Ricciarelli celebrates her 80th birthday, still in love with Carreras
Yesterday, soprano Katia Ricciarelli celebrated her 80th birthday. Although her international singing career ended many years ago, she is a well-known personality in Italy, her fame travelling far … [Read more...] about Interview: Katia Ricciarelli celebrates her 80th birthday, still in love with Carreras
La Scala closed 2025 with record ticket sales of over €40 million
La Scala closed 2025 with record ticket sales of over €40 million (+7.3% compared to 2024). Added to this is the record revenue of the La Scala Theatre Museum, which reached €3.4 million. “From the … [Read more...] about La Scala closed 2025 with record ticket sales of over €40 million
The Washington National Opera pulls out of the Kennedy Center
The Washington National Opera said that it will move its performances out of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, ending a partnership that began in 1971. The decision is the strongest … [Read more...] about The Washington National Opera pulls out of the Kennedy Center
The Rossini Opera Festival 2026 is announced
The 47th edition of the Rossini Opera Festival will be held in Pesaro from 11 to 23 August 2026. The Festival opens with a new production of Le Siège de Corinthe, conducted by Carlo Rizzi and … [Read more...] about The Rossini Opera Festival 2026 is announced
In Memoriam 2025: artists who died this year… Singers, Dancers, Actors, Musicians, Writers, Directors
In memoriam 2025: a personal list remembering some of the artists who died in 2025. Links lead to Wikipedia articles. January Marianne Faithfull, 78, English singer ("As Tears Go By"), … [Read more...] about In Memoriam 2025: artists who died this year… Singers, Dancers, Actors, Musicians, Writers, Directors
Giorgio Armani at La Scala exhibition opens and the opening of La Scala’s 2025/2026 Ballet Season is dedicated to the designer
Teatro alla Scala is dedicating the opening of its 2025/2026 ballet season to Giorgio Armani, who died in September. Sleeping Beauty opens tomorrow, 18 December 2025, and in the foyer, an exhibition … [Read more...] about Giorgio Armani at La Scala exhibition opens and the opening of La Scala’s 2025/2026 Ballet Season is dedicated to the designer
Riccardo Chailly taken to hospital and the performance suspended at La Scala
After the triumphant opening of La Scala’s opera season on 7 December with Dmitri Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, the second performance was interrupted after Maestro Riccardo Chailly fell … [Read more...] about Riccardo Chailly taken to hospital and the performance suspended at La Scala
Cecilia Bartoli announces opera and ballet for Salzburg Whitsun Festival 2026
'Travel' is the theme chosen by Artistic Director Cecilia Bartoli for the Salzburg Whitsun Festival 2026, which runs from 22 to 25 May. After the city-themed festivals of recent years, when select … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli announces opera and ballet for Salzburg Whitsun Festival 2026
Interview: Kate Flatt, choreographer and movement director, on 40 years of Les Mis and Turandot
Paul Arrowsmith talks to Kate Flatt – choreographer, movement director, mentor and dance educator – on her two long-running productions, the musical Les Misérables and the opera Turandot, and a life … [Read more...] about Interview: Kate Flatt, choreographer and movement director, on 40 years of Les Mis and Turandot
Ekaterina Bakanova answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Russian soprano Ekaterina Bakanova answers questions about her life and loves on the day of her debut as the Countess, after many Susannas, in The Marriage of Figaro. When did you start … [Read more...] about Ekaterina Bakanova answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Interview: Riccardo Chailly and director Vasily Barkhatov on Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk which opens La Scala’s opera season
On the 50th anniversary of Dmitri Shostakovich’s death, La Scala opens its opera Season with his masterpiece Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, based on the novella by Nikolai Leskov. In the story, a young … [Read more...] about Interview: Riccardo Chailly and director Vasily Barkhatov on Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk which opens La Scala’s opera season
Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov’s appearances in Verona are cancelled
Ildar Abdrazakov will not take part in Don Giovanni at the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona in January 2026 as planned. The Russian bass, a declared supporter of Vladimir Putin, has already had many … [Read more...] about Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov’s appearances in Verona are cancelled