Attila opens La Scala’s 2018-2019 Season and runs from 11 December 2018 to 8 January 2019.CREATIVE TEAMConductor - Riccardo Chailly Staging - Davide Livermore Sets - Giò Forma Costumes - Gianluca Falaschi Lights - Antonio Castro Video - D-wokCASTAttila - Ildar Abdrazakov Odabella - Saioa Hernández Ezio - George Petean Foresto - Fabio Sartori Uldino - Francesco … [Read more...] about Photo Album: first look at La Scala’s new Attila with Ildar Abdrazakov
Ildar Abdrazakov
Ildar Abdrazakov – the man with the perfect technique?
Is there anything that Ildar Abdrazakov cannot do with his voice? In a programme that began with Giordani (Caro mio ben) and finished with Rachmaninov (Spring Waters) he visited coloratura and patter songs, sang the longest of phrases, and displayed the most extraordinarily dulcet pianissimi contrasting with laser-sharp fortissimi. And although it was all so (ostensibly) … [Read more...] about Ildar Abdrazakov – the man with the perfect technique?
La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019
OPERA SEASON 2018 - 2019La 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 Italian repertoire, continuing with the cycle of works of Verdi, Puccini, Verismo (which will return in 2020 with Giordano’s Fedora and Montemezzi’s L’amore dei tre re), and the … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019
La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2017 – 2018
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. The season will also mark the 40th Anniversary of Riccardo Chailly’s collaboration with the theatre, and the 95th birthday of Franco Zeffirelli.The 2017-2018 Season kicks … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2017 – 2018
Ildar Abdrazakov’s La Scala recital – the power of pianissimi
Why don’t more singers use the full dynamic potential of their voices? Ildar Abdrazakov’s recital at La Scala was a lesson in dynamic contrast, bewitching his audience with long-held and perfectly controlled wisps of sound, and then thrilling them with full throttle blasts coloured by his fine bass timbre. Add to that his beautiful phrasing, superbly enunciated Italian and … [Read more...] about Ildar Abdrazakov’s La Scala recital – the power of pianissimi
ROYAL OPERA SEASON 2016 – 2017: theatre, cinema and radio
All the details of the 2016-2017 Opera Season at London's Royal Opera House:skip to section:ROYAL OPERA 2016-2017 SEASON - IN BRIEFTHE ROYAL OPERA 2016-2017 SEASONTHE ROYAL OPERA SEASON 2016-2017 - IN FULLBBC RADIO 3 AT THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSEROYAL OPERA HOUSE LIVE CINEMA SEASON ROYAL OPERA 2016-2017 SEASON - IN BRIEFAntonio Pappano renews … [Read more...] about ROYAL OPERA SEASON 2016 – 2017: theatre, cinema and radio
Barbara Frittoli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italianoWhen did you start singing? From what I remember I've always sung: when I was seven I had emergency surgery for peritonitis and I sang throughout the operation.Why did you start singing? When I was nine I was accepted at the Milan Conservatory to study piano; choral singing was, and is, one of the obligatory studies.Which singer inspired you most … [Read more...] about Barbara Frittoli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Bartoli’s Sacrificium and Muti’s Verdi Requiem recordings win Grammy Awards
Right down there at the bottom of the barrel are the classical nominations - after rap, blues, latin, heavy metal, R&B, country, jazz, pop and every other form of popular music imaginable there are a few categories for classical music at the Grammys. Just two awards come after and those are for videos, not audio recordings. Here are the winners for 2011. Best Classical … [Read more...] about Bartoli’s Sacrificium and Muti’s Verdi Requiem recordings win Grammy Awards
Grammy Awards 2010: personal favourites Bartoli, Genaux, Frittoli et al, but most satisfying is the inclusion of the wonderful Jessye Norman
The nominees are out for the 2010 Grammy Awards. But under the heading "Best Classical Crossover Album" - not usually my favourite category - is the nomination which makes me the happiest: with a voice full of imperfections and oddities here is a glorious Jessye Norman with her double live CD "Roots - My Life, My Song" full of joy, soul and love. Magnificent! Best Classical … [Read more...] about Grammy Awards 2010: personal favourites Bartoli, Genaux, Frittoli et al, but most satisfying is the inclusion of the wonderful Jessye Norman