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 evening, A riveder le stelle (Seeing the Stars Again), will be broadcast live by Rai Cultura on Italian television’s Rai 1 at 5pm, as well as Arte and other platforms. Riccardo … [Read more...] about La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December
Francesco Meli
With Milan under curfew, Jonas Kaufmann sings La Scala programme without pause
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 necessary to carry a form to explain the reason you are out, and it was doubtful that many in the audience at La Scala would have been prepared on the first day – I wasn't. Jonas … [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
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 negative for the whole company, but this morning there was a positive result from the second swab. The theatre alerted the health authorities who ordered a period of quarantine … [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
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 be sung by Jonas Kaufmann who is in town for a recital at the opera house on Thursday. Riccardo Chailly will conduct the performance which also features Saioa Hernández as Aida and … [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
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 up. A new number was printed on the tickets, indicating the entrance door to use, rather like turnstiles at a football stadium. We were confronted by a machine that reads body … [Read more...] about The experience of returning to a socially-distanced La Scala
Tonight, La Scala reopens its doors after 133 days
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 auditorium has been arranged with single or paired seats, with a top price of €48 and gallery seats at €24. To respect social distancing requirements, it means that a 13-seat row has … [Read more...] about Tonight, La Scala reopens its doors after 133 days
Bartoli, Grigolo, Damrau et al will sing live from their homes tonight
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 the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino's new intendant Alexander Pereira, will feature Cecilia Bartoli, Vittorio Grigolo, Mikhail Petrenko, Diana Damrau, Ludovic Tézier, Francesco Meli, … [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
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 Zurich Opera from 1958 to 1969. In 1960, Santi conducted the Wiener Philharmoniker for Don Carlo in Salzburg with Boris Christoff and Ettore Bastianini. At The Royal Opera House in … [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
Conductor Riccardo Chailly Staging Davide Livermore Sets Giò Forma Costumes Gianluca Falaschi Lights Antonio Castro Video D-wok CAST Tosca Anna Netrebko Cavaradossi Francesco Meli Scarpia Luca Salsi Angelotti Carlo Cigni Sagrestano Alfonso Antoniozzi Spoletta Carlo Bosi Sciarrone Giulio Mastrototaro Carceriere Ernesto … [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
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 will be present) after heading new productions of Andrea Chénier, Giovanna d’Arco, and Don Giovanni. With the ultra-critical ‘loggionisiti’ watching over from the gods, it is always … [Read more...] about Interview with Anna Netrebko on Tosca at La Scala: kissing, killing, and Kabaivanska