Q&A in italianoWhen did you start singing? When I was 11 to a disc of Rigoletto with Gobbi, Callas and Di Stefano; a blanket on my shoulder and an umbrella served as my cloak and sword!Above all I loved "La donna è mobile" and the role of the Duke of Mantua; my voice would crack but I didn’t give in!Why did you start singing? Because I thought it was … [Read more...] about Franco Vassallo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
James Levine
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
Giovanna d’Arco – the background of La Scala’s latest production
On 7 December 2015, La Scala’s 2015-2016 Season opens with Giuseppe Verdi’s Giovanna d’Arco, which had its premiere at La Scala on 15 February 1845, but hasn’t been staged at the Milanese theatre since 1865.Bringing back this opera after 150 years is part of the artistic and cultural line that will link the following seasons at La Scala. The new directors wish to revive … [Read more...] about Giovanna d’Arco – the background of La Scala’s latest production
Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italianoWhen did you start singing? I started singing when I was very young, but seriously in 1996, together with literature and music. I was a 17-year-old full of hopes and dreams that were securely locked away in my heart. Dreams that were not just centred on singing, obviously, and now, at 37, I can say that I’ve fulfilled many of those dreams, even … [Read more...] about Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Frederica von Stade answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&AWhen did you start singing? Maybe at 5.Why did you start singing? I always loved to sing anywhere, anytime.Which singer inspired you most when you were young? Gwen Verdon, Julie Andrews.Which singer do you most admire? It’s hard to choose... favourites are Janet Baker, Susan Graham, Richard Stilwell, Joyce DiDonato, Kiri Te Kanawa.What’s your … [Read more...] about Frederica von Stade answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
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
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
Natalie Dessay pulls out of next month’s Manon performances at La Scala “for health reasons” – Netrebko takes over
Natalie Dessay was forced to cancel, even mid-performance, performances of La Traviata at the Metropolitan Opera last month, where she was replaced by soprano Hei-Kyung Hong. The conductor was Fabio Luisi, the Italian maestro heavily tipped to take over from the ailing James Levine.Now at Milan's Teatro alla Scala she has withdrawn from performances of Manon which she was … [Read more...] about Natalie Dessay pulls out of next month’s Manon performances at La Scala “for health reasons” – Netrebko takes over
Behind every great woman is a great man: the man being conductor Fabio Luisi and the woman his photographer wife Barbara
Barbara Luisi was, no is, a violinist, but her passion for photography has taken over and her hobby has become her major activity. Though she begun studying the violin at 9 in her home town, Munich, she also started photography at a relatively young age, experimenting with her first Leica at 17.Luisi worked with orchestras such as the Munich Philharmonic, Orchestre du … [Read more...] about Behind every great woman is a great man: the man being conductor Fabio Luisi and the woman his photographer wife Barbara
James Levine’s statement on his decision to withdraw from the Met until after the 2012-13 season
No one will be surprised, but James Levine, still recovering from a spinal injury, has now written a statement explaining his physical condition, and explaining his decision to pull out of conducting engagements at the Metropolitan Opera until the end of the 2012-13 season.Here is Levine's statement: Early last summer I had to undergo three back surgeries to address a … [Read more...] about James Levine’s statement on his decision to withdraw from the Met until after the 2012-13 season