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James Levine

In Memoriam 2021: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors

4 January 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

In memorium - 2021

In memoriam 2021: From Carla Fracci to Christa Ludwig, from Stephen Sondheim to Raffaella Carrà - a personal list of some of the artists the world lost in 2021. NameDatesAgeDescriptionLiam … [Read more...] about In Memoriam 2021: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors

Franco Vassallo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

5 November 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Franco Vassallo

Q&A   in italiano When 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 … [Read more...] about Franco Vassallo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Leontyne Price is 90 – best wishes and photographic memories from La Scala

10 February 2017 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Leontyne Price in front of La Scala when she made her house debut in 1960

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 … [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

6 December 2015 by Gramilano 11 Comments

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 … [Read more...] about Giovanna d’Arco – the background of La Scala’s latest production

Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

16 November 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Q&A   in italiano When 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 … [Read more...] about Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Frederica von Stade answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

17 September 2015 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Q&A When 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, … [Read more...] about Frederica von Stade answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Marco Berti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

9 June 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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 … [Read more...] about Marco Berti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Fiorenza Cossotto answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

1 August 2014 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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 … [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

22 May 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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 … [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

29 March 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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, … [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

10 December 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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 … [Read more...] about James Levine’s statement on his decision to withdraw from the Met until after the 2012-13 season

James Levine cancels his next performances at the Met

6 September 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The end of an era: James Levine, the Metropolitan Opera's musical director and principal conductor, has cancelled his fall performances. According to the Met's press release, Levine suffered a fall … [Read more...] about James Levine cancels his next performances at the Met

American baritone Cornell MacNeil dies at 88

21 July 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The American baritone Cornell MacNeil died on July 15, he was 88. He was best known for his many Verdi roles. From 1959 to 1987, he sang 26 roles in more than 600 appearances at the Metropolitan … [Read more...] about American baritone Cornell MacNeil dies at 88

Fabio Luisi’s moving house – but will Jimmy Levine be moving out?

25 April 2011 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Fabio Luisi is moving to New York. He and his wife, Barbara Luisi, a former violinist and now a photographer, and their 13-year-old son are moving to New York in May, to an apartment on West 96th … [Read more...] about Fabio Luisi’s moving house – but will Jimmy Levine be moving out?

Fabio Luisi chasing James Levine’s job leaves an opening for the young Daniele Rustioni

31 March 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Last night Daniele Rustioni conducted Aida at Covent Garden. At 28 he is certainly young, but as assistant to the house musical director Antonio Pappano he was an obvious and pleasing choise to … [Read more...] about Fabio Luisi chasing James Levine’s job leaves an opening for the young Daniele Rustioni

James Levine – time to pass the baton?

8 March 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

For seven years, James Levine has been splitting his time three ways: leading the Boston Symphony Orchestra, presiding over the musical side of the Metropolitan Opera, and sitting out large chunks of … [Read more...] about James Levine – time to pass the baton?

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NEWS

New York City Ballet 2023 Spring Season is announced

Principal Brandon Lawrence to leave Birmingham Royal Ballet to join Ballett Zürich

Two new opera recordings to be released by Warner Classics/Erato

Four new Principal dancers for New York City Ballet

LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live

Royal Ballet principal dancer Laura Morera to retire

Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Principal dancer Jared Angle to give final performance with NYCB

The Australian Ballet will tour to the Royal Opera House in August 2023

FEATURED POSTS

Vadim Muntagirov answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Lawrence Brownlee & Michael Spyres crop

[Interview] Michael Spyres and Lawrence Brownlee on their new Rossini album

Jakub Józef Orliński

In conversation with Jakub Józef Orliński

How to stage a ballet… Maina Gielgud explains

Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov in cover art for the Romanza album

Interview with Anna Netrebko on her son, his autism and his abandonment by his father Erwin Schrott

Grand Pas Classique at English National Ballet, photo by Laurent Liotardo

Introducing 19-year-old Canadian dancer Shale Wagman: from Lausanne to ENB to the Mariinsky

António Casalinho, photo by Nikita Alba crop

António Casalinho – Introducing the 17-year-old Portuguese Dancer

Nunez headshot cropped

In conversation with Marianela Nuñez

The Tricks of the Trocks: powder, ice and pointe shoes

Lawrence Brownlee, © Shervin Lainez

Interview with tenor Lawrence Brownlee on being a black man in America: Cycles of My Being

GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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