Q&AWhen did you start playing an instrument? I was five years old.Why did you start playing? Because I was given a little piano in my house.Which musician inspired you most when you were young? Lenny Bernstein.Which musicians (instrumentalists or singers) do you most admire? Joshua Bell and Placido Domingo.What’s your favourite piece to conduct? Every place … [Read more...] about Riccardo Frizza answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Conductors’ Edition
Barack Obama
Misty-eyed for Misty Copeland at La Scala
I’ll lay my cards on the table: I thought that Misty Copeland was an over-hyped media phenomenon, with a personal story that had leapfrogged ahead of her actual ability. This opinion was totally based on prejudice – having never seen her dance – and by knowing how many ‘artists’ become popular with a vast public because of their social media savvy or heart-wrenching stories. … [Read more...] about Misty-eyed for Misty Copeland at La Scala
Beppe Menegatti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Directors’ Edition
Q&AWhen did you first go to the theatre? To see Rigoletto at the Teatro Comunale in Florence on 10 October 1939 for my tenth birthday, with Gino Bechi, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Lina Aimaro and the young Giulietta Simionato as Madelena.Why did you want to work in the theatre? In Florence we give out presents for the Epiphany. When I was six there was a wonderful … [Read more...] about Beppe Menegatti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Directors’ Edition
Natalia Makarova among those receiving the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors
The Kennedy Center Honors award is the nation’s highest honour for those who have influenced American culture through the arts. It comes with a dinner with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and a reception hosted by President Barack Obama. The honourees will be saluted by their fellow artists on 2 December in a show which will be broadcast by CBS on Boxing … [Read more...] about Natalia Makarova among those receiving the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors