Is there anything that Ildar Abdrazakov cannot do with his voice? In a programme that began with Giordani (Caro mio ben) and finished with Rachmaninov (Spring Waters) he visited coloratura and patter songs, sang the longest of phrases, and displayed the most extraordinarily dulcet pianissimi contrasting with laser-sharp fortissimi. And although it was all so (ostensibly) … [Read more...]
Illustrated look at La Scala’s visit to Australia with Don Quixote and Giselle
After almost a month touring China, La Scala’s ballet company popped back to Milan for a run of Manon performances, before popping off to Australia for thirteen performances in Brisbane, from 7 to 18 November. It is the company’s first time in Australia and they are taking two of their most popular productions: Don Quixote and Giselle. Performances are at the Queensland … [Read more...]
Roberto Bolle says addio to American Ballet Theatre
Eight performances of Kenneth MacMillan's Manon are scheduled to begin 17 June 2019 during American Ballet Theatre's 2019 Spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House, with Hee Seo in the title role, Roberto Bolle as Des Grieux, Stella Abrera as Lescaut's Mistress and James Whiteside as Lescaut. Bolle will give his farewell performance with ABT in the ballet on 20 June. The … [Read more...]
Interview: Carmen Giannattasio on her first Tosca, Lady Gaga, and homicide
Soprano Carmen Giannattasio has been in demand since she was thrust before the public eye when she won both the First Prize and the Audience Award at Placido Domingo’s Operalia in Paris in 2002. She took on one of the most challenging soprano roles soon after, singing Violetta La Traviata. Reviewing a 2007 performance at Scottish Opera, Rupert Christiansen wrote in the Daily … [Read more...]
Danza in Italia column returns in the latest issue of Dancing Times
The latest issue of Dancing Times magazine, November 2018, is being shipped to newstands as I write. The new Danza in Italia column looks at Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote at Teatro alla Scala, with important debut performances from Timofej Andrijashenko, Martina Arduino and Marco Agostino, and with Nicoletta Manni returning as Kitri; Jacopo Tissi comes home to dance again on La … [Read more...]