How extraordinary is Mariella Devia. In 2006 she gave her final performances as Lucia di Lammermoor at La Scala, leaving the public astonished that she was saying goodbye to the role after witnessing the perfection of her voice at 58. The day after her 65th birthday she sang Norma for the first time — a role she had said only a few years previously that she would never take on … [Read more...]
Maria José Siri answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? I started as young girl… for as long as I can remember. Why did you start singing? I started by accident. I was supposed to go to my saxophone class, but I was given the wrong day and time of the lesson, and therefore I found myself attending a voice class. Which singers inspired you the most when you were … [Read more...]
How much are singers, conductors and directors paid?
Italy's Classic Voice magazine has published a list of the current maximum fees paid by the Italian opera houses, and, surprisingly - though according to many singers I know, not surprisingly - the length of time that some artists have to wait to receive their payment. €30,000 is currently the top for conductors such as Barenboim, Chailly, Whun Chung, Dudamel, Gatti, … [Read more...]
Riccardo Muti’s Ernani cancelled amid chaos at Rome Opera
After yesterday's meeting between unions and Rome City Council at Campidoglio, a union representative said that there was "zero chance that Ernani would go ahead, either for 27 November [the opening of the opera season] or the subsequent performances". Massive job losses are expected at Rome Opera after it was announced that the theatre would go into receivership after debts … [Read more...]
Premier danseur Alessio Carbone puts on a tutu and wonders about having the body of Gisele and the voice of Bartoli
Alessio Carbone is a Premier Danseur at the Paris Opera. He comes from a family of dancers. His father, Giuseppe Carbone, was the director of the company at Milan's La Scala and his mother, Iride Sauri, was a prima ballerina at the La Fenice theatre in Venice. His sister dances at La Scala and his younger brother is a successful flamenco dancer. He is married to Paris Opera … [Read more...]