Luca Targetti, the Casting Director at La Scala for 13 years from 1997, died shortly after showing symptoms of a coronavirus infection, on 12 March. He was 63. The architect Vittorio Gregotti, responsible for designing the 2000-seater Teatro Arcimboldi, La Scala’s temporary home when it was closed for modernisation in 2002, died this morning after being infected with the … [Read more...] about La Scala loses two collaborators to the coronavirus
La Scala
La Scala and all Italian theatres closed until 3 April – a tenor tests positive for the coronavirus
The hoped-for reopening of La Scala after the closure of all theatres and cinemas in northern Italy has been setback after a tenor working in the theatre tested positive for the coronavirus. He was last in the theatre on 26 February for a rehearsal of Salome, a production by Damiano Michieletto with Riccardo Chailly conducting that was to have opened on 8 March. Rehearsals were … [Read more...] about La Scala and all Italian theatres closed until 3 April – a tenor tests positive for the coronavirus
David Hallberg becomes new head of Australian Ballet – Farewell gala in 2021
David Hallberg at La Scala David Hallberg will become the new artistic director of the Australian Ballet, taking over from former principal dancer David McAllister, who has directed the company for two decades. Hallberg's last performances as a dancer will be in 2021, when he will fulfil previous commitments, culminating in a farewell gala with American Ballet … [Read more...] about David Hallberg becomes new head of Australian Ballet – Farewell gala in 2021
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 returns to opera in Cavalleria Rusticana. It was Cecilia Gasdia, now intendant of Verona’s Arena, who convinced her. It will be paired with Pagliacci, and film director Gabriele … [Read more...] about Katia Ricciarelli at 74 returns to the opera stage and talks about being a diva
Review: Enthralling programme of 5 works by Hans van Manen and Roland Petit at La Scala
An unusual mixed bill at La Scala showcased the works of two choreographers: Hans van Manen and Roland Petit. Two of the van Manen pieces were new to the company, though his Adagio Hammerklavier, which opened the programme, was performed in Milan in 1985. Adagio Hammerklavier was created in 1973 (the men wear leg-warmers and choker necklaces!) to the considered adagio of … [Read more...] about Review: Enthralling programme of 5 works by Hans van Manen and Roland Petit at La Scala
La Scala cancels performances due to coronavirus outbreaks
La Scala has announced that performances from today onwards are cancelled in light of the coronavirus threat. Tonight there was to have been a recital by soprano Aleksandra Kurzak. Italia has 130 people under observation or ill, and in the Lombardy region, where Milan is the capital, there are 93 cases. The situation has worsened dramatically in the last 48 hours. Some … [Read more...] about La Scala cancels performances due to coronavirus outbreaks
Manuel Legris to take over as head of La Scala’s ballet company
The whispering in the corridors of La Scala has come to an end as, finally, it has been confirmed that Manuel Legris will take over from Frédéric Olivieri as Ballet Director. Legris, currently in the same position in Vienna, will assume the role in Milan at the end of this year. He already knows the company well, having worked with them on his own version of the ballet Sylvia … [Read more...] about Manuel Legris to take over as head of La Scala’s ballet company
Photo Album: Mirella Freni at La Scala
Mirella Freni sang at La Scala from 1962 until 1996 (an account of those years, with comments by Mirella Freni, is here). La Scala issued a statement, which reads: The news of Mirella Freni’s passing has deeply moved all the workers, the musicians, and the management of the La Scala Theatre. Before the performance of Il Trovatore on Sunday, February 9, there will be a … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Mirella Freni at La Scala
Mirella Freni dies at 84
Mirella Freni, who would have been 85 on 27 February, has died at her home in Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. She had been fighting an illness for a long while and died surrounded by friends and family. Her coffin will be placed in Modena's Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavarotti on the morning of Wednesday 12 February, and the funeral will be held in the … [Read more...] about Mirella Freni dies at 84
Conductor Nello Santi – who conducted 401 performances at The Met – has died at 88
The conductor Nello Santi has died at 88. He last worked at La Scala in November 2017, when he was 86, conducting Nabucco. He was born in 1931 in Adria in the Veneto region. He was the director of Zurich Opera from 1958 to 1969. In 1960, Santi conducted the Wiener Philharmoniker for Don Carlo in Salzburg with Boris Christoff and Ettore Bastianini. At The Royal Opera House in … [Read more...] about Conductor Nello Santi – who conducted 401 performances at The Met – has died at 88
