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
Anna Magnani
Franco Zeffirelli, at 96, on Anna Magnani and Maria Callas, his career, and old age
On 21 June Franco Zeffirelli’s new production of La traviata opens at Verona’s gigantic arena. He’s 96. On Anna Magnani and Maria Callas Anna Magnani and Maria Callas were two goddesses but with … [Read more...] about Franco Zeffirelli, at 96, on Anna Magnani and Maria Callas, his career, and old age
Bartoli’s back on the treasure trail with her Norma video
After offering clues taken from ‘webisodes’ filmed during the recording of Cecilia Bartoli's cd Mission, which eventually led to the name of the composer featured on the disc, Decca are being cunning … [Read more...] about Bartoli’s back on the treasure trail with her Norma video
Cecilia Bartoli on her sensual Norma and returning to La Scala
"It will not be a normal Norma!" joked Cecilia Bartoli to the Corriere della Sera's Giuseppina Manin. A joke that works better in Italian: "Sarà una Norma fuori norma!" She has sung the role in … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli on her sensual Norma and returning to La Scala
Be afraid. Be very afraid… Cecilia Bartoli’s on a mission: her new album
Be afraid. Be very afraid... Cecilia Bartoli is set to eradicate evil. No, she's not going out to exorcise the horrors of the crossover, but releasing a new cd called Mission with the Swiss group … [Read more...] about Be afraid. Be very afraid… Cecilia Bartoli’s on a mission: her new album
Giuseppe Picone answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started when I was 10 years old at the Teatro San Carlo ballet school in Naples. Why did you start dancing? My elder brother Raffaele took me to the … [Read more...] about Giuseppe Picone answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Vito Mazzeo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? At 9 years old. Why did you start dancing? I saw Carla Fracci dancing. Which dancer inspired you most as a child? Carla Fracci and Erik Bruhn for their … [Read more...] about Vito Mazzeo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Anna Anni, costume designer for Orson Welles and Franco Zeffirelli, has died at 84
After designing costumes for two Orson Welles projects in 1953, Anna Anni worked for more than 50 years at the top. Maria Callas, Monserrat Caballè, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Carla … [Read more...] about Anna Anni, costume designer for Orson Welles and Franco Zeffirelli, has died at 84