Q&A When and why did you start singing? When I was a kid… I come from a musical family, and so music has always been a part of who I am. But I got serious about singing in high school when people told me girls would think I was cute. So my love for singing began there, really. Which singer inspired you most when you were young and which singer do you most admire? Oh gosh … [Read more...] about Lawrence Brownlee answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… singers’ edition!
Joyce DiDonato
Daniela Barcellona collects Olivier Awards for Semiramide
Daniela Barcellona and Joyce DiDonato have won Olivier Awards for Best Achievement in Opera for their roles in The Royal Opera House's production of Semiramide. Semiramide was also the winner of Best New Opera Production at the annual award ceremony, this year held at the Royal Albert Hall. Barcellona accepted both of the awards on behalf of DiDonato who is rehearsing a new … [Read more...] about Daniela Barcellona collects Olivier Awards for Semiramide
Interview with John Nelson, conductor of the new recording of Berlioz’s Les Troyens
An admiring review in the respected Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung of a production of Les Troyens, conducted by John Nelson, earlier this year, said, At present there are few conductors who, like John Nelson, can rightly be called 'Berlioz experts'. In an interview more than 20 years ago, Nelson called Berlioz his ‘patron saint in music’. Now, reflecting on that, he ups this … [Read more...] about Interview with John Nelson, conductor of the new recording of Berlioz’s Les Troyens
Enzo Dara – tributes from his colleagues and friends: “What joy he brought to us all”
Some of Enzo Dara’s colleagues have written tributes and recollections of the great basso buffo, who died after a long illness on 25 August 2017. Teatro alla Scala left a declaration: Enzo Dara has for decades been the basso buffo par excellence, offering the Rossini revival, as well as the Donizetti operas, performances infused with captivating comedy and enriched by his … [Read more...] about Enzo Dara – tributes from his colleagues and friends: “What joy he brought to us all”
Riccardo Muti, Joyce DiDonato and Eric Owens perform for Chicago’s young offenders
On Sept 25 #MaestroMuti visited the Illinois Youth Center in Chicago to share classical music with the young men. pic.twitter.com/w6qqxZ59Sz — Chicago Symphony (@chicagosymphony) September 29, 2016 Riccardo Muti, Joyce DiDonato and Eric Owens, together with musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, gave a concert at Illinois Youth Center-Chicago last Sunday. For Muti … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti, Joyce DiDonato and Eric Owens perform for Chicago’s young offenders
Joyce DiDonato reveals her Desert Island Discs
Music runs to the very core of mezzosoprano Joyce DiDonato, guest on yesterday’s BBC Radio 4’s long-running and beautifully judged programme, Desert Island Discs. Even if she is tired before a show, everything changes when the music starts… “This business feeds me”. Her first disc to take to the desert island is to make her feel good: an Argentinian tango. Carlos … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato reveals her Desert Island Discs
Joyce DiDonato joins opera singers from 70 years of Desert Island Discs
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
New York Opera Fest offers the city two months of opera
The inaugural New York Opera Fest kicks off today, 1 May, and it’s kicking off in a big way with an ambitious two months of programming. Among events this evening is Bronx Opera’s production of Rossini’s Cinderella at The Lovinger Theatre. Bronx Opera is one of the senior companies taking part – next year it will celebrate its Golden Anniversary – whereas On Site Opera, who … [Read more...] about New York Opera Fest offers the city two months of opera
Frederica von Stade answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
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, 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
Win one of five signed copies of Joyce DiDonato’s new double-cd ‘Joyce and Tony’
Joyce DiDonato's new album is launched today in North America and Warner Music is giving readers of this blog the opportunity to win one of five signed copies. To open the Wigmore Hall season last year, DiDonato teamed up with Antonio Pappano on the piano, and gave two recitals, which were recorded, and the result is the double-cd Joyce and Tony which boasts one of the … [Read more...] about Win one of five signed copies of Joyce DiDonato’s new double-cd ‘Joyce and Tony’