Inside I feel 50, outside I feel 70, and my brain believes that I’m eternally young. But on 21 October the great soprano Virginia Zeani will be 90. Naturally, many of my friends are dead. It’s normal. One is condemned after 70 to see many friends die, so when one reaches 90… well, I hope that I’ll arrive at 90; there are still a couple of days to go! She is a strikingly … [Read more...] about Interview with Virginia Zeani at 90 “My brain believes that I’m eternally young”
Giorgio Strehler
Eufemia Brancato, queen of the tutu, dies at 95
Eufemia Brancato died this morning three weeks before her 96th birthday. She was the head of Brancato Costumiers in Milan which she founded in 1961 after five years working at the Piccolo Teatro with Giorgio Strehler. Creating her own company came about after the great Italian designer Luciano Damiani asked her to make all the costumes for an opera he was designing. Being that … [Read more...] about Eufemia Brancato, queen of the tutu, dies at 95
Marco Berti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? More or less I’ve always sung. First at my local church, then one day my cousin, who sung Ave Marie for weddings, gave me the chance to try and I did. Since then I’ve never stopped. Why did you start singing? Like almost all singers, for passion, because I love opera. I come from a very humble family but there was always … [Read more...] about Marco Berti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Happy 80th Birthday Mirella Freni… from La Scala – in photos and video
Mirella Freni is eighty, and to celebrate her birthday La Scala threw open its doors to her fans and opera lovers to see the great soprano once again on the stage that was hers for so many years. A feisty Freni strode onstage and seemed surprised and visibly moved by the long standing ovation. She was not there to sing, though she says she still has the voice, but with … [Read more...] about Happy 80th Birthday Mirella Freni… from La Scala – in photos and video
Luca Ronconi, Italian director of theatre and opera, dies at 81
Italian director Luca Ronconi died yesterday evening in the Policlinico in Milan after a short illness. His health had been poor over the last years, he was on dialysis, and was complicated by pneumonia. He was 81. His collaboration with La Scala lasted for over thirty years and today the flag outside the theatre is flying at half-mast, and Riccardo Muti will dedicate tonight's … [Read more...] about Luca Ronconi, Italian director of theatre and opera, dies at 81
Daniel Barenboim on ‘his’ Fidelio at La Scala
The opening of La Scala's season on 7 December each year is the most anticipated and often contested event in the international opera calendar. Daniel Barenboim opens the 2014-2015 Opera and Ballet Season with Fidelio directed by Deborah Warner. It marks the end of his nine years at the Teatro alla Scala at its musical helm, even though Barenboim’s first concert at La Scala … [Read more...] about Daniel Barenboim on ‘his’ Fidelio at La Scala
Fiorenza Cossotto answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? When I was a girl. Why did you start singing? For my own personal enjoyment. Which singer inspired you most when you were young? No one. Which singer do you most admire? The good ones. What’s your favourite role? More than one... all the masterpieces. What role have you never played but would have … [Read more...] about Fiorenza Cossotto answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Jonas Kaufmann champions La Scala’s new boss and the great Italian director Giorgio Strehler
Jonas Kaufmann says that La Scala and Santa Cecilia are the only two important music centres left in Italy, Too many theatres have closed in the last few years; a real shame. Which theatres he's thinking about isn't clear, for although many (of the many) Italian opera houses are having financial troubles, none of major houses have closed. Kaufmann gave an interview to the … [Read more...] about Jonas Kaufmann champions La Scala’s new boss and the great Italian director Giorgio Strehler
Milan celebrates one of its most-loved actresses as she turns 80
Giulia Lazzarini, one of Giorgio Strehler's favourite actress, and for decades a constant presence on the stage of Milan's famed Piccolo Teatro, is 80 and, rightly, it was at the Piccolo Teatro that her birthday was celebrated this week. Looking ten-years younger, she is continuing to work on stage, and will play the mother in Nanni Moretti's next film Mia Madre (My Mother). … [Read more...] about Milan celebrates one of its most-loved actresses as she turns 80
Ambrogio Maestri answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
versione in italiano Q&A When did you start singing? When I was 9. Why did you start singing? I was studying piano, and the transition was natural. Which singer inspired you most when you were young? Mario Del Monaco. Which singer do you most admire? All those who have managed their voices well and had a long career. What’s your favourite role? Falstaff. What … [Read more...] about Ambrogio Maestri answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition