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La traviata

Royal Opera House Stream goes live with 130 titles

4 October 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Vadim Muntagirov in rehearsal for Live from Covent Garden 20 June 2020 c 2020 ROH. Photograph by Tristram Kenton

The Royal Opera House has launched a streaming service that offers 45 performances from The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera’s archives. Together with these are also 85 behind-the-scenes features, … [Read more...] about Royal Opera House Stream goes live with 130 titles

Soprano Angel Blue pulls out of production at “racist” Verona Arena

16 July 2022 by Gramilano 7 Comments

Angel Blue photographed by Michelle Dudley Photography crop

“The use of blackface is offensive, humiliating, and outright racist,” said Californian soprano Angel Blue, as she announced that she was pulling out of La Traviata at the Verona Arena. She does … [Read more...] about Soprano Angel Blue pulls out of production at “racist” Verona Arena

The Paris Opera cancels opera and ballet performances

11 December 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

architecture art buildings city

The Paris Opera has postponed its reopening. Like all other cultural institutions in France, following the new directives issued by the French government to combat the spread of Covid-19, it must … [Read more...] about The Paris Opera cancels opera and ballet performances

Conductor Nello Santi – who conducted 401 performances at The Met – has died at 88

7 February 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Santi Nello crop

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 … [Read more...] about Conductor Nello Santi – who conducted 401 performances at The Met – has died at 88

Franco Zeffirelli, at 96, on Anna Magnani and Maria Callas, his career, and old age

9 April 2019 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Maria Callas at La Scala, Il turco in Italia with Franco Zeffirelli 1955

On 21 June Franco Zeffirelli’s new production of La traviata opens at Verona’s gigantic arena. He’s 96. On Anna Magnani and Maria Callas Anna Magnani and Maria Callas were two goddesses but with … [Read more...] about Franco Zeffirelli, at 96, on Anna Magnani and Maria Callas, his career, and old age

Interview: Carmen Giannattasio on her first Tosca, Lady Gaga, and homicide

26 October 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Carmen Giannattasio In The War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, Photo By Cory Weaver

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 … [Read more...] about Interview: Carmen Giannattasio on her first Tosca, Lady Gaga, and homicide

Luisa Mandelli, Maria Callas’ Annina at La Scala, has died at 95

30 August 2018 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Luisa-Mandelli-in-La-figlia-di-Jorio,-1955

Luisa Mandelli, Maria Callas' Annina at La Scala, died last night, just short of her 96th birthday. Daniel Barenboim called her the 'eternal Annina' having sung alongside Callas in Luchino Visconti's … [Read more...] about Luisa Mandelli, Maria Callas’ Annina at La Scala, has died at 95

Interview with Juan Diego Flórez who debuts in Ricciardo e Zoraide at Pesaro tonight

11 August 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Juan Diego Flórez, phoyo by Manfred Baumann

Twenty-two years ago, Juan Diego Flórez arrived like a meteorite across the opera firmament. A couple of weeks before his career launching performance, I’d met the young tenor in Milan. He’d flown … [Read more...] about Interview with Juan Diego Flórez who debuts in Ricciardo e Zoraide at Pesaro tonight

La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019

30 May 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Teatro alla Scala

OPERA SEASON 2018 - 2019 La Scala announced its 2018-2019 Opera season today with 15 titles, nine of which are new productions, and two are La Scala premieres. At the heart of the season remains the … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019

Lucas Meachem answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

10 March 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Lucas Meachem © Simon Pauly 01

Q&A When did you start singing? There’s not a time I don’t remember singing in some capacity. Why did you start singing? I have a need to perform and to share my love of music with … [Read more...] about Lucas Meachem answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Maria Callas on Stage – a new exhibition at La Scala

14 September 2017 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Maria Callas on Stage – the La Scala Years 07

Maria Callas in scena - Gli anni alla Scala (Maria Callas on Stage – the La Scala Years) runs from 15 September to 31 January at La Scala’s museum, which is housed in the same building as the … [Read more...] about Maria Callas on Stage – a new exhibition at La Scala

Angela Gheorghiu’s releases first studio recording in six years: Eternamente – The Verismo Album

31 August 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Eternamente   Angela Gheorghiu 4

The studio recording - her first in six years - explores the generation of Italian composers that followed Verdi, including three duets with tenor Joseph Calleja Eternamente - The Verismo … [Read more...] about Angela Gheorghiu’s releases first studio recording in six years: Eternamente – The Verismo Album

Marie Duplessis, at 23, inspired Dumas then Verdi; now 23-year-old Maria Mudryak sings La traviata

10 July 2017 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Duplessis Mudryak

La traviata, an opera that has moved audiences to tears since its premiere in Venice in 1853, was based on a true story of prostitution, obsession and love. Marie Duplessis was born in 1824 to a … [Read more...] about Marie Duplessis, at 23, inspired Dumas then Verdi; now 23-year-old Maria Mudryak sings La traviata

Maria Mudryak answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

28 June 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Portrait by Victor Santiago

Q&A   in italiano When did you start singing? My first performance was when I was three years old, then when I was five I started my musical training, and at six I recorded my first CD … [Read more...] about Maria Mudryak answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

14 minutes of applause for Anna Netrebko at La Scala in La traviata [interview and photos]

12 March 2017 by Gramilano 8 Comments

La traviata with Anna Netrebko, Francesco Meli and Leo Nucci © Teatro alla Scala, Amisano e Brescia, 2017 06

Anna Netrebko has returned to La Scala to sing Violetta as she sings ‘addio’ to the role. She will sing in a Traviata once more in Paris next February, and then that’s it for the curvy Russian and the … [Read more...] about 14 minutes of applause for Anna Netrebko at La Scala in La traviata [interview and photos]

Traviata opens tonight at La Scala… here’s a sneak peek

28 February 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

La traviata, Teatro alla Scala 2017 3

The staging of La traviata is the lavish Liliana Cavani production with sets by Dante Ferretti with which Verdi’s masterpiece returned to La Scala in 1990 conducted by Riccardo Muti. It was performed … [Read more...] about Traviata opens tonight at La Scala… here’s a sneak peek

La Scala and the artists of La traviata donate proceeds to earthquake victims

12 February 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

La traviata, photo by Marco Brescia

La traviata returns to La Scala in Liliana Cavani’s beautiful 1990 production with sets by three-time Oscar winner Dante Ferretti, and the sumptuous costumes of Gabriella Pescucci. As always, the run … [Read more...] about La Scala and the artists of La traviata donate proceeds to earthquake victims

Maria Callas’ Annina returns to sing the same role after sixty years

24 June 2015 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Luisa Mandelli, who played Annina in Luchino Visconti's La traviata at La Scala in 1955, is now 93 years old. Although a small role, she is remembered for her presence in this production not only … [Read more...] about Maria Callas’ Annina returns to sing the same role after sixty years

Stream Opera brings popular and rare delights to your PC

22 December 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

If you haven't heard of StreamOpera - and you're interested in opera - then visit their site to enrich your Christmas hols, as it is full of exciting and unusual titles which can be streamed to your … [Read more...] about Stream Opera brings popular and rare delights to your PC

La Scala, 7 December 2013: La Traviata

8 December 2013 by Gramilano 6 Comments

La Scala's new production of La Traviata left Giorgio Armani, and many others, feeling 'perplexed'. Dmitri Tch­er­niakov's designs and direction got some hearty booing from the loggionisti in the … [Read more...] about La Scala, 7 December 2013: La Traviata

La Traviata at La Scala – first glimpses

7 December 2013 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Today's the day, tonight's the night. Milan celebrates Saint Ambrose (Sant'Ambrogio) and La Scala celebrates Giuseppe Verdi with a new production of La Traviata to open its 2013-2014 season. This … [Read more...] about La Traviata at La Scala – first glimpses

Desirée Rancatore answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

14 October 2013 by Gramilano 1 Comment

 versione in italiano Q&A When did you start singing? When I was 16, with my mother! I had been learning the violin, but without much enthusiasm. Why did you start singing? I was … [Read more...] about Desirée Rancatore answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Barbara Frittoli at La Scala: odd but nice

8 May 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

When the line up for a recital is a soprano, pianist and clarinetist one would assume that at a certain point all three would perform together. Not at La Scala when Barbara Frittoli gave her scheduled … [Read more...] about Barbara Frittoli at La Scala: odd but nice

1907: Madame Tetrazzini conquerors London and her ‘rival’ Adelina Patti is there to cheer her on

29 August 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

In 1907 Madame Tetrazzini made a sensational début as Violetta in La Traviata at Covent Garden in London, where she was completely unknown, and from that point on she was an international operatic … [Read more...] about 1907: Madame Tetrazzini conquerors London and her ‘rival’ Adelina Patti is there to cheer her on

American baritone Cornell MacNeil dies at 88

21 July 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The American baritone Cornell MacNeil died on July 15, he was 88. He was best known for his many Verdi roles. From 1959 to 1987, he sang 26 roles in more than 600 appearances at the Metropolitan … [Read more...] about American baritone Cornell MacNeil dies at 88

Carla Fracci gives her benediction at the re-opening of the Carlo Felice theatre in Genoa.

4 December 2010 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The great Italian ballet star Carla Fracci arrived at the opening of La Traviata at the Carlo Felice theatre in Genoa. Art and culture cannot die. We must do everything possible to help this theatre … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci gives her benediction at the re-opening of the Carlo Felice theatre in Genoa.

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GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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