Alessandro Manzoni died in Milan on 22 May 1873, 150 years ago. The Milanese poet, novelist and philosopher is famous for his novel I promessi sposi (The Betrothed, 1827), which is full of … [Read more...] about [Interview] Riccardo Frizza conducts the Verdi Requiem on the 150th anniversary of Manzoni’s death
Ildar Abdrazakov
LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live
Yesterday was the first live stream from LaScalaTv (of I Vespri siciliani with a superb cast) and other operas, ballets, concerts and recitals will follow. La Scala has been building up a catalogue … [Read more...] about LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live
Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov on Boris Godunov, his 89th performance at La Scala
The Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov will be Boris Godunov for the opening of Milan’s opera season on 7 December 2022. It will be Abdrazakov’s 89th appearance on La Scala’s stage and his seventh time … [Read more...] about Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov on Boris Godunov, his 89th performance at La Scala
Anna Netrebko ‘under new management’
Until a few days ago, the contact information on Anna Netrebko’s site stated that her general management was Centre Stage Artist Management in Berlin. CSAM’s managing director, Judith Neuhoff, was her … [Read more...] about Anna Netrebko ‘under new management’
La Scala’s Macbeth – comments and photo album
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
The Royal Opera House 2021-2022 opera season
The Royal Opera Season will open with a new production of Verdi’s Rigoletto, directed by Oliver Mears – his first production since becoming The Royal Opera’s Director of Opera in 2017. This new … [Read more...] about The Royal Opera House 2021-2022 opera season
La Scala 2021-2022 Opera Season and new philosophy
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
Operas and concerts streaming from Italy
Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavarotti, Modena Rossini’s Cenerentola is presented in a new staging by Nicola Berloffa on 30 December 2020 at 20.00 CET. Due to anti Covid restrictions, the work will be … [Read more...] about Operas and concerts streaming from Italy
La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December
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
Anna Netrebko in hospital recovering from Covid-19
Anna Netrebko has been in hospital in Moscow recovering from pneumonia for the last five days. While she was in the hospital she was tested for the coronavirus and found to be positive. Now that … [Read more...] about Anna Netrebko in hospital recovering from Covid-19
The Bolshoi Theatre’s Director on the current closure and the worrying task of reopening
Автор: Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0, Ссылка In a plain-speaking interview with the Russian newspaper Kommersant, the Bolshoi Theatre’s General Director, Vladimir Urin, talked about the impending … [Read more...] about The Bolshoi Theatre’s Director on the current closure and the worrying task of reopening
Photo Album: first look at La Scala’s new Attila with Ildar Abdrazakov
Attila opens La Scala’s 2018-2019 Season and runs from 11 December 2018 to 8 January 2019. CREATIVE TEAM Conductor - Riccardo Chailly Staging - Davide Livermore Sets - Giò Forma Costumes - Gianluca … [Read more...] about Photo Album: first look at La Scala’s new Attila with 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 … [Read more...] about Ildar Abdrazakov – the man with the perfect technique?
La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019
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
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
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 … [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 BRIEF THE ROYAL OPERA 2016-2017 SEASON THE ROYAL OPERA SEASON … [Read more...] about ROYAL OPERA SEASON 2016 – 2017: theatre, cinema and radio
Barbara Frittoli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When 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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...] about Grammy Awards 2010: personal favourites Bartoli, Genaux, Frittoli et al, but most satisfying is the inclusion of the wonderful Jessye Norman