More than a gift to their own coffers, Warner Classics in releasing Maria Callas Live is giving fans of La Divina and lovers of opera a meticulously restored collection of some of her finest performances to treasure. It is timed to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of her death in Paris on 16 September 1977.The 42 CDs contain 20 complete operas, and three Blu-ray discs hold … [Read more...] about A first listen to the new Maria Callas Live: Remastered Live Recordings 1949-1964
Herbert von Karajan
Luciano Pavarotti, 10 years after his death, celebrated in exclusive photos from the La Scala archives
Luciano Pavarotti died ten years ago today, on 6 September 2007.Teatro alla Scala continually welcomed the great tenor to its stage for almost three decades, from 1965 until 1992. At the Milanese opera house he sang under the baton of Abbado, Prêtre, Kleiber, Patané, Gavazzeni, Karajan, Maazel and Muti. Pavarotti worked extensively with La Scala's current Musical … [Read more...] about Luciano Pavarotti, 10 years after his death, celebrated in exclusive photos from the La Scala archives
La Scala Ballet’s programme change for the US – with Bolle, Nuñez and Copeland
The previously announced ballet to be performed at California’s Segerstrom Center by La Scala’s Ballet Company was Mauro Bigonzetti’s Cinderella, a ballet created for the opening of La Scala’s ballet season in 2015.Bigonzetti had a short-lived tenure at the helm of the La Scala company: less than ten months, in 2016. His departure because of ill-health – though voices in … [Read more...] about La Scala Ballet’s programme change for the US – with Bolle, Nuñez and Copeland
Leontyne Price is 90 – best wishes and photographic memories from La Scala
On this day, 10 February 1927, Leontyne Price was born in Laurel, Mississipi.To celebrate her 90th birthday, La Scala joins companies, colleagues and fans the world over in wishing her a happy birthday, and has released some photos of the great soprano from its archive.Price first sang at the renowned Milanese theatre on 21 May 1960 with the role that has become … [Read more...] about Leontyne Price is 90 – best wishes and photographic memories from La Scala
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf’s 100th birthday celebrated with remastered recordings
The 100th birthday of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf falls on 9 December 2015. She died in 2006, but her recordings are a timeless treasure of the Warner Classics catalogue, like those of her contemporary and friend, Maria Callas.The 31-CD deluxe box set, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf: The Complete Recitals 1952-1974, to be released on 6 November, gathers together all the recital programmes … [Read more...] about Elisabeth Schwarzkopf’s 100th birthday celebrated with remastered recordings
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
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 italianoWhen 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
Callas and Sutherland’s tenor – Renato Cioni – dies at 84
Renato Cioni, the great Tuscan tenor, died today in his home town of Portoferraio, on the island of Elba, where he was born almost 85 years ago.His career took off in the mid 1950s when he sang in a television production of Madama Butterfly with Anna Moffo, and Pinkerton was the role with which he made his début at La Scala in 1961 under the baton of Gianandrea … [Read more...] about Callas and Sutherland’s tenor – Renato Cioni – dies at 84
Opera star Regina Resnik dies at 90
Regina Resnik, who was born as Resnick (she lost the 'c' early on) in the Bronx in 1922, has died in New York after a stroke, at 90.Resnick had a remarkable career change in her thirties went her voice shifted from soprano to mezzo. In an interview with the New York Times in 1967, she said, It was the biggest gamble of my life, when I decided over two tumultuous years that … [Read more...] about Opera star Regina Resnik dies at 90