Q&A When did you start singing? As a child in Upstate New York, every Sunday I was taken to Mass. I loved hearing the songs in Latin, and hearing the choir. I wanted so badly to sing along, but was told by the organist I’d have to wait until my voice changed! At school I was definitely noticed at an early age, and encouraged. This year, my home town of Pavilion … [Read more...] about Gregory Reinhart answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Anna Netrebko
La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2017 – 2018
A pleasing new season at La Scala seems to tick all the right boxes, with half the programming dedicated to the Italian repertoire, some rarities, important international operas and a world premiere. The season will also mark the 40th Anniversary of Riccardo Chailly’s collaboration with the theatre, and the 95th birthday of Franco Zeffirelli. The 2017-2018 Season kicks … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2017 – 2018
Photo album and cast of Don Giovanni at La Scala
Robert Carsen’s spectacular production for La Scala of Don Giovanni created for the opening of the opera season in 2011, started a ten-performance run last night, which ends on 6 June. The Financial Times review opened with, No coup de théâtre ever matched Mozart’s opening chords as stunningly as this. This is a welcome return. Daniel Barenboim saw over a cast that … [Read more...] about Photo album and cast of Don Giovanni at La Scala
14 minutes of applause for Anna Netrebko at La Scala in La traviata [interview and photos]
Anna Netrebko has returned to La Scala to sing Violetta as she sings ‘addio’ to the role. She will sing in a Traviata once more in Paris next February, and then that’s it for the curvy Russian and the consumptive courtesan. The idea of tackling this role at La Scala was my idea, so I talked it over with Pereira. I was very worried about it and extremely nervous. Singing … [Read more...] about 14 minutes of applause for Anna Netrebko at La Scala in La traviata [interview and photos]
Traviata opens tonight at La Scala… here’s a sneak peek
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 as a preview performance two days ago, with the proceeds going to help Italy's earthquake victims. Ailyn Perez will be singing tonight's opening performance and the … [Read more...] about Traviata opens tonight at La Scala… here’s a sneak peek
Dmitri Hvorostovsky postpones recitals for further brain tumour treatment
Dmitri Hvorostovsky is having to postpone upcoming recitals in Kaliningrad and Minsk as well as cancel his Wiener Staatsoper recital on March 7 after being advised by his doctors to continue treatment for his brain tumour during this period. On his website, the great Russian baritone says, I had been greatly looking forward to these recitals, and it truly pains me to have … [Read more...] about Dmitri Hvorostovsky postpones recitals for further brain tumour treatment
La Scala Opera Season 2016-2017 – full dates and casts
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 directed by Alvis Hermanis (Die Soldaten and I due Foscari at La Scala) with Maria José Siri as Butterfly and Bryan Hymel as Pinkerton. It will use the original version of the opera … [Read more...] about La Scala Opera Season 2016-2017 – full dates and casts
Strong Italian presence in Royal Opera House Muscat’s new season
The Royal Opera House Muscat's 2016-2017 Season is called Excellence in Diversity. It seems as though building was completed just the other day, yet the ROHM is about to enter its sixth season. In addition to its Omani and Arab programming it is maintaining an international profile with opera, ballet, concerts, jazz and musical theatre. The new season will launch on 29 … [Read more...] about Strong Italian presence in Royal Opera House Muscat’s new season
ROYAL OPERA SEASON 2016 – 2017: theatre, cinema and radio
All the details of the 2016-2017 Opera Season at London's Royal Opera House: skip to section: ROYAL OPERA 2016-2017 SEASON - IN BRIEF THE ROYAL OPERA 2016-2017 SEASON THE ROYAL OPERA SEASON 2016-2017 - IN FULL BBC RADIO 3 AT THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE LIVE CINEMA SEASON ROYAL OPERA 2016-2017 SEASON - IN BRIEF Antonio Pappano renews … [Read more...] about ROYAL OPERA SEASON 2016 – 2017: theatre, cinema and radio
The Chailly-Leiser spat mars La Scala’s opening night? I don’t think so.
I don’t know what all the fuss is about. Do the public really think that creative artists working under the strain of a La Scala opening night – one of the glitteriest occasions in the opera world - under the glare of the world’s press and an international viewing public, don’t have arguments? Is anyone actually surprised? Certainly it is rare that a microphone should be … [Read more...] about The Chailly-Leiser spat mars La Scala’s opening night? I don’t think so.