As a committed fan of BBC 4's Desert Island Discs, I am delighted that Joyce DiDonato will be revealing her list of eight recordings, a book and a luxury item that she would take if she was to be cast away on a desert island.Of course, it's the chat between the music that is the captivating aspect of the programme - Tom Hanks broke down in tears more than once, "Kirsty, … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato joins opera singers from 70 years of Desert Island Discs
Jessye Norman
Brava, Jessye! Met Opera Guild’s 80th Luncheon salutes Jessye Norman
On Friday 21 November, the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s 80th Annual Luncheon presents Brava, Jessye! to salute Jessye Norman, who recently wrote about her life in a memoir titled Stand Up Straight and Sing!A perennial highlight of the opera season, the Luncheon will bring together a host of artists and other luminaries to honour the sumptuous-voiced soprano and her long and … [Read more...] about Brava, Jessye! Met Opera Guild’s 80th Luncheon salutes Jessye Norman
Beppe Menegatti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Directors’ Edition
Q&AWhen did you first go to the theatre? To see Rigoletto at the Teatro Comunale in Florence on 10 October 1939 for my tenth birthday, with Gino Bechi, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Lina Aimaro and the young Giulietta Simionato as Madelena.Why did you want to work in the theatre? In Florence we give out presents for the Epiphany. When I was six there was a wonderful … [Read more...] about Beppe Menegatti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Directors’ Edition
Flanders is a Festival! It is… and a lot more.
Flanders, which historically included parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands, is now a lively region of modern-day Belgium of which Brussels is the capital. The Flanders Festival is actually a series of festivals throughout the summer months and beyond. Between June and December there are over 550 concerts in more than 80 cities and towns. After half a century … [Read more...] about Flanders is a Festival! It is… and a lot more.
Restaurants of Ghent, Brussels and Mechelen during Flanders is a Festival
This is not a food blog, but as food has, in some way, influenced every dancer, musician, actor, and for that matter everyone else on the planet, I though I could squeeze it in. Food had a profound effect on rotund Gioachino Rossini, and I'm guessing that Mariinsky ballerina Ulyana Lopatkina is less of a foodie, but even so let’s give this a whirl.The reason? Well, besides … [Read more...] about Restaurants of Ghent, Brussels and Mechelen during Flanders is a Festival
Jessye Norman, the mistress of the American Masters, in Flanders
Although the vocal croupier hasn't been doing Jessye Norman any favours of late, she certainly knows how to make the best of the hand she's been dealt, and as last night's concert in Gent in Belgium demonstrated, she also still has plenty of aces up her sleeve. A perplexed public were quickly won over, and continued to warm up through the evening, as did Norman's … [Read more...] about Jessye Norman, the mistress of the American Masters, in Flanders
Jessye Norman writes her autobiography
Jessye Norman is writing her autobiography which will be about not only her professional life but also about her family and upbringing in Giorgia. The book, “Stand Up and Sing!” is scheduled for release by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in late 2013. I am absolutely thrilled to be able to tell my own story, to celebrate my family’s rich, diverse heritage, and to pay tribute to all … [Read more...] about Jessye Norman writes her autobiography
Aretha Franklin is searching for the next opera star
Aretha Franklin, whose pop eye has wandered over to opera from time to time, says she wants to find and develop a budding opera star.Franklin tells NPR that she will sign the singer, or singers, to her record label and give other career assistance.The soul singer doesn't specify exactly what she's listening or looking for in emerging talent between the ages of 18 and … [Read more...] about Aretha Franklin is searching for the next opera star
Jessye Norman belts it out at 65: “wobbly” but “sassy”
Norman’s entrance, from the side of the lawn, gave cause for concern. Singing “Somewhere” from Bernstein’s “West Side Story,” Norman sounded wobbly, edgy at the top and patchy in color. She still had volcanic power over and above the miking; even so, one worried how much of her fabled velvety voice remained after largely departing her operatic career. Still, she got an instant … [Read more...] about Jessye Norman belts it out at 65: “wobbly” but “sassy”
Jessye Norman’s Muse/ique for the iPod era
Jessye Norman doesn't give interviews. She gets irritated by the sports journalists who arrive knowing nothing about her or her music, "They ask me, what is it you do? That is not interesting." But the Los Angeles Times got her to speak about a new project that 65 year-old Norman is passionate about:The singer is eager to help promote Muse/ique, a new orchestra with a … [Read more...] about Jessye Norman’s Muse/ique for the iPod era