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Francesco Meli

[Interview] Tenor Francesco Meli – 20 years of “not taking anything for granted”

24 May 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

2015 Giovanna d'Arco, photo Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala crop

Italian tenor Francesco Meli has a lot to celebrate. Last weekend he sang his last performance as Riccardo in Un ballo in maschera at La Scala – it is his 20th role at La Scala and this year also … [Read more...] about [Interview] Tenor Francesco Meli – 20 years of “not taking anything for granted”

La Scala’s Macbeth – comments and photo album

8 December 2021 by Gramilano 3 Comments

5 - Macbeth, 7 December 2021, photo by Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala

Macbeth, which opened the opera season at La Scala on 7 December, was watched by 10.5% of Italians who were watching the television, equivalent to 2,640,000 people. Italy's President, Sergio … [Read more...] about La Scala’s Macbeth – comments and photo album

La Scala 2021-2022 Opera Season and new philosophy

31 May 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Irina Brook

Despite the interruptions imposed by lockdowns and outbreaks of disease during the Season 2020-2021 La Scala managed to put on over 100 performances. The various closures also gave the theatre’s … [Read more...] about La Scala 2021-2022 Opera Season and new philosophy

Free streamed opera concert, live from La Scala in Milan

23 March 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Rehearsals at La Scala with Maria Agresta, Francesco Meli and Nicola Luisotti, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

Nicola Luisotti will be on the podium for a free streamed opera concert from La Scala in Milan, on Wednesday 24 March at 8 pm CET, which will be broadcast live via Teatro alla Scala’s website, and … [Read more...] about Free streamed opera concert, live from La Scala in Milan

Arena Opera Festival in Verona confirms the 2021 summer programme

16 March 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Roberto Bolle, Arena di Verona, photo by Andrej Uspenski

The Arena Opera Festival has confirmed the dates, operas, and stellar casts as originally scheduled, starting with the return of Riccardo Muti, 41 years after his only appearance on the Arena’s … [Read more...] about Arena Opera Festival in Verona confirms the 2021 summer programme

La Scala’s online programming of recitals and concerts opens with Vittorio Grigolo

12 February 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Vittorio Grigolo, photo by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

La Scala’s online concert and recital events for February and March 2021 The concerts can be followed via Teatro alla Scala's website, and its Facebook and YouTube pages. Recitals The Recital … [Read more...] about La Scala’s online programming of recitals and concerts opens with Vittorio Grigolo

La Scala records the last artists for tonight’s opening gala

7 December 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Placido Domingo photo by Rudy Amisano, December 2020

Yesterday Roberto Alagna, Aleksandra Kurzak and Lisette Oropesa recorded their sections of tonight's opening gala at La Scala (5pm CET) and today Camilla Nylund, Andreas Schager, Francesco Meli and … [Read more...] about La Scala records the last artists for tonight’s opening gala

La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December

25 November 2020 by Gramilano 7 Comments

La Scala 7 December 2020

Despite coronavirus restrictions, La Scala will celebrate the opening of its season 2020-2021 – however long or short it may be – on 7 December, the feast of Saint Ambrose, Milan’s saint’s day. The … [Read more...] about La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December

With Milan under curfew, Jonas Kaufmann sings La Scala programme without pause

23 October 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Jonas Kaufmann and Helmut Deutsch, photo by Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala 2020 -01

The curfew which was introduced in parts of Italy yesterday to combat the rising rate of coronavirus infections started at 11pm. While it is possible to return from a theatre after this time, it is … [Read more...] about With Milan under curfew, Jonas Kaufmann sings La Scala programme without pause

Aida suspended as entire La Scala company sent home in quarantine

19 October 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Jonas Kaufmann

After tenor Francesco Meli tested positive for Covid-19 and was substituted yesterday by Jonas Kaufmann, La  Scala arranged for the whole Aida cast to be tested. The first of the swab tests was … [Read more...] about Aida suspended as entire La Scala company sent home in quarantine

Jonas Kaufmann steps in at La Scala as tenor Francesco Meli tests positive for coronavirus

19 October 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Francesco Meli with Giulio Zappa © Marco Brescia, Teatro alla Scala 2020

Tenor Francesco Meli has tested positive for coronavirus, though he is asymptomatic. Tonight's last concert performance of Aida at La Scala should have seen Meli as Radamès, instead the role will … [Read more...] about Jonas Kaufmann steps in at La Scala as tenor Francesco Meli tests positive for coronavirus

The experience of returning to a socially-distanced La Scala

12 July 2020 by Gramilano 3 Comments

The 'maschere' at La Scala © Marco Brescia, Teatro alla Scala 2020

The usual throng found buzzing under the portico outside La Scala while waiting for the doors to open, was replaced by a slow trickle of spectators. The theatre had opened a full hour before curtain … [Read more...] about The experience of returning to a socially-distanced La Scala

Tonight, La Scala reopens its doors after 133 days

6 July 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

It is 133 days since La Scala went dark. Tonight, its doors will open once again, for a limited number of spectators – 600 instead of 2,000 – for a short series of concerts. Positioning in the … [Read more...] about Tonight, La Scala reopens its doors after 133 days

Bartoli, Grigolo, Damrau et al will sing live from their homes tonight

1 May 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced an at-home concert featuring some of the world’s greatest opera stars. A concert on 1 May at 9 pm (21.00 CEST - 15.00 EDT - 20.00 BST), organised by … [Read more...] about Bartoli, Grigolo, Damrau et al will sing live from their homes tonight

Conductor Nello Santi – who conducted 401 performances at The Met – has died at 88

7 February 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Santi Nello crop

The conductor Nello Santi has died at 88. He last worked at La Scala in November 2017, when he was 86, conducting Nabucco. He was born in 1931 in Adria in the Veneto region. He was the director of … [Read more...] about Conductor Nello Santi – who conducted 401 performances at The Met – has died at 88

Photo Album: First night at La Scala with Netrebko, Meli and Salsi in Tosca

8 December 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

28 Tosca with Salsi and Netrebko, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2019

Conductor Riccardo Chailly Staging Davide Livermore Sets Giò Forma Costumes Gianluca Falaschi Lights Antonio Castro Video D-wok   CAST Tosca Anna … [Read more...] about Photo Album: First night at La Scala with Netrebko, Meli and Salsi in Tosca

Interview with Anna Netrebko on Tosca at La Scala: kissing, killing, and Kabaivanska

2 December 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Anna Netrebko, photo by Ruven Afanador

Anna Netrebko opens the new season at La Scala – as each year, on 7 December – as Tosca. It will be her fourth time in what is always a prestigious occasion (Italy’s President and other dignitaries … [Read more...] about Interview with Anna Netrebko on Tosca at La Scala: kissing, killing, and Kabaivanska

La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2019 – 2020

27 May 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Teatro alla Scala 01

After Riccardo Chailly opens the season with Tosca, continuing the cycle of works by Puccini, he will conduct his first Strauss opera, as well as the complete Beethoven symphonies. Zubin Mehta will … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2019 – 2020

Interview: Angel Blue at La Scala “It will never happen… not a black Violetta.”

18 March 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

La traviata, Teatro alla Scala, 2019 4

When she was twenty, Angel Blue’s singing teacher told her, “I’m sorry, but it will never happen. There will never be a black Violetta.” Now she’s at La Scala singing that very role. It’s not the … [Read more...] about Interview: Angel Blue at La Scala “It will never happen… not a black Violetta.”

La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019

30 May 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Teatro alla Scala

OPERA SEASON 2018 - 2019 La Scala announced its 2018-2019 Opera season today with 15 titles, nine of which are new productions, and two are La Scala premieres. At the heart of the season remains the … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019

La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2017 – 2018

31 May 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Riccardo Chailly, photo by Brescia e Amisano, 2017

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. … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2017 – 2018

14 minutes of applause for Anna Netrebko at La Scala in La traviata [interview and photos]

12 March 2017 by Gramilano 8 Comments

La traviata with Anna Netrebko, Francesco Meli and Leo Nucci © Teatro alla Scala, Amisano e Brescia, 2017 06

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 … [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

28 February 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

La traviata, Teatro alla Scala 2017 3

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 … [Read more...] about Traviata opens tonight at La Scala… here’s a sneak peek

La Scala and the artists of La traviata donate proceeds to earthquake victims

12 February 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

La traviata, photo by Marco Brescia

La traviata returns to La Scala in Liliana Cavani’s beautiful 1990 production with sets by three-time Oscar winner Dante Ferretti, and the sumptuous costumes of Gabriella Pescucci. As always, the run … [Read more...] about La Scala and the artists of La traviata donate proceeds to earthquake victims

La Scala’s orchestra, chorus and ballet company embark on a month-long tour

28 August 2016 by Gramilano 2 Comments

La Scala’s orchestra, chorus and ballet company have flown out of Milan for a month on tour which will see them in Korea, China, Japan and Russia. Tomorrow night at the Lotte Hall in Seoul, … [Read more...] about La Scala’s orchestra, chorus and ballet company embark on a month-long tour

La Scala Recital and Concert Season 2016-2017 – full dates and interpreters

18 May 2016 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The concert programme includes some of the greatest living conductors. Riccardo Chailly will be on the podium for two evenings of the Symphony Season, Verdi’s Requiem in October, and the concert to … [Read more...] about La Scala Recital and Concert Season 2016-2017 – full dates and interpreters

La Scala Opera Season 2016-2017 – full dates and casts

18 May 2016 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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 … [Read more...] about La Scala Opera Season 2016-2017 – full dates and casts

Giovanna d’Arco – the background of La Scala’s latest production

6 December 2015 by Gramilano 11 Comments

On 7 December 2015, La Scala’s 2015-2016 Season opens with Giuseppe Verdi’s Giovanna d’Arco, which had its premiere at La Scala on 15 February 1845, but hasn’t been staged at the Milanese theatre … [Read more...] about Giovanna d’Arco – the background of La Scala’s latest production

Riccardo Muti snubs the Rome Opera Orchestra at Salzburg

15 November 2014 by Gramilano 1 Comment

So Riccardo Muti will be off to Salzburg next year to conduct Ernani but, unsurprisingly, he will not be in front of the Rome Opera Orchestra, as previously announced, but his Cherubini Youth … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti snubs the Rome Opera Orchestra at Salzburg

La Scala complete Opera casts and dates: 2014 – 2015

18 June 2014 by Gramilano 2 Comments

4 December (Preview for young people), 7, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23 December 2014 Ludwig van Beethoven Fidelio Conductor: Daniel Barenboim Director: Deborah Warner Sets and costumes: Chloe … [Read more...] about La Scala complete Opera casts and dates: 2014 – 2015

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NEWS

New York City Ballet 2023 Spring Season is announced

Principal Brandon Lawrence to leave Birmingham Royal Ballet to join Ballett Zürich

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

Four new Principal dancers for New York City Ballet

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

Royal Ballet principal dancer Laura Morera to retire

Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Principal dancer Jared Angle to give final performance with NYCB

The Australian Ballet will tour to the Royal Opera House in August 2023

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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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