The Il Pomo d’Oro ensemble took in Milan on its mini European tour with Handel’s oratorio Theodora. It is not surprising that it is the first time that it has been performed at La Scala as when it … [Read more...] about Handel’s Theodora at La Scala – ovations for Oropesa, DiDonato and company
Katia Ricciarelli
Soprano Katia Ricciarelli to be contestant in Big Brother TV reality show
Katia Ricciarelli will be one of the contestants in the new series of Italy’s Grande fratello VIP. It’s not her first experience in such a programme, having participated in La fattoria (The Farm) in … [Read more...] about Soprano Katia Ricciarelli to be contestant in Big Brother TV reality show
Arena Opera Festival in Verona confirms the 2021 summer programme
The Arena Opera Festival has confirmed the dates, operas, and stellar casts as originally scheduled, starting with the return of Riccardo Muti, 41 years after his only appearance on the Arena’s … [Read more...] about Arena Opera Festival in Verona confirms the 2021 summer programme
Katia Ricciarelli at 74 returns to the opera stage and talks about being a diva
At 74, after many years away from the stage, and often from singing (the wear and tear on her voice means that even singing a popular song on TV can lead to surprising results), Katia Ricciarelli … [Read more...] about Katia Ricciarelli at 74 returns to the opera stage and talks about being a diva
Rolando Panerai dies at 95 – a career of tradition and adventure
With Rolando Panerai we lose a star of opera that we will not see the like of again, and many of his performances have shaped the history of La Scala’s opera house. La Scala left these words today, … [Read more...] about Rolando Panerai dies at 95 – a career of tradition and adventure
Puccini’s granddaughter against Riccardo Chailly’s booed Madama Butterfly
Riccardo Chailly’s ‘Puccini Project’ at La Scala will continue with a new production of Madama Butterfly to open the 2016-2017 Season. The opera was written for La Scala in February 1904 and was … [Read more...] about Puccini’s granddaughter against Riccardo Chailly’s booed Madama Butterfly
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 … [Read more...] about Giovanna d’Arco – the background of La Scala’s latest production
Luca Ronconi, Italian director of theatre and opera, dies at 81
Italian director Luca Ronconi died yesterday evening in the Policlinico in Milan after a short illness. His health had been poor over the last years, he was on dialysis, and was complicated by … [Read more...] about Luca Ronconi, Italian director of theatre and opera, dies at 81
Fiorenza Cossotto answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
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
Great tenor Carlo Bergonzi dies at 90
Carlo Bergonzi (born Polesine Parmense, 13 July 1924 – died Milan, 25 July 2014) Carlo Bergonzi, one of the greatest tenors of the 20th Century, died last night in Milan's Auxologico Institute, just … [Read more...] about Great tenor Carlo Bergonzi dies at 90
Opera singer Rosalind Plowright comments on booing Bartoli at La Scala
Renée Fleming described it as the worst night of her operatic life, after Celeste Aida Roberto Alagna gave a military salute and walked off stage, Katia Ricciarelli quit the opera house refusing to … [Read more...] about Opera singer Rosalind Plowright comments on booing Bartoli at La Scala
Katia Ricciarelli “we must revolutionize the opera world” – oh really?
Opera needs a small revolution. We live in the world of internet, a world of speed: without taking anything away from the great composers we must try to renew the directing style, eliminate repeats in … [Read more...] about Katia Ricciarelli “we must revolutionize the opera world” – oh really?