Luciana Novaro, a hugely important figure in Italian ballet, died on 26 May at 98. Her passing was unfortunately overshadowed by the death several hours later of the ballerina Carla Fracci, her friend … [Read more...] about Luciana Novaro, Italian ballerina who danced with Massine and Lifar, dies at 98
Luchino Visconti
Ottavio Dantone answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Conductors’ Edition
Q&A When did you start playing an instrument? When I was 4 years old, on a toy keyboard. Why did you start playing? I don’t know; I learned music by myself. Which musicians inspired you most … [Read more...] about Ottavio Dantone answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Conductors’ Edition
Alberto Testa – Italian dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer – has died at 96
Alberto Testa was a walking encyclopedia of dance, always elegantly dressed with never a hair out of place, and was very much of another time recalling Frederick Ashton with his old-school ways. … [Read more...] about Alberto Testa – Italian dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer – has died at 96
Luisa Mandelli, Maria Callas’ Annina at La Scala, has died at 95
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
“Maria Callas on stage-the La Scala Years” at La Scala’s Museum extended until 31 March
The exhibition "Maria Callas on stage-the La Scala Years" at La Scala’s Museum has been extended until 31 March. Since 15 September over 90,000 visitors have seen the exhibition, curated by theatre … [Read more...] about “Maria Callas on stage-the La Scala Years” at La Scala’s Museum extended until 31 March
80 years of opera and ballet costumes from La Scala go on display
The theatrical costume is a paradox: it hides, yet at the same time, communicates revealing aspects of a character; it is made to be seen from afar, yet the designers and costume makers care for the … [Read more...] about 80 years of opera and ballet costumes from La Scala go on display
Maria Callas in newly restored photos from the La Scala archive
"Silence - Recording in Progress" reads the sign, as Maria Callas arrives at La Scala to record Il trovatore in 1956. More than any other theatre, Callas is linked with the great opera house in Milan. … [Read more...] about Maria Callas in newly restored photos from the La Scala archive
A first listen to the new Maria Callas Live: Remastered Live Recordings 1949-1964
More than a gift to their own coffers, Warner Classics in releasing Maria Callas Live is giving fans of La Divina and lovers of opera a meticulously restored collection of some of her finest … [Read more...] about A first listen to the new Maria Callas Live: Remastered Live Recordings 1949-1964
Maria Callas as told by her ‘little sister’, Giovanna Lomazzi [interview]
On 16 September 2017, it will be 40 years since Maria Callas died in her home in Paris at the age of 53. Callas’s friend Giovanna Lomazzi was just 20 when the two of them met in Milan in 1952 after … [Read more...] about Maria Callas as told by her ‘little sister’, Giovanna Lomazzi [interview]
Maria Callas, The Exhibition – the life of La Divina on display in Verona
Maria Callas: The Exhibition in Verona, runs throughout the summer opera season until 18 September 2016. It is the largest such exhibition dedicated to La Divina and contains artefacts from her … [Read more...] about Maria Callas, The Exhibition – the life of La Divina on display in Verona
Barenboim drops Callas’s 93-year-old Annina from tonight’s Traviata in Berlin
93-year-old Luisa Mandelli, who sixty years ago was the Annina in Luchino Visconti’s La traviata with Maria Callas, was due to perform the same role under the baton of Daniel Barenboim this … [Read more...] about Barenboim drops Callas’s 93-year-old Annina from tonight’s Traviata in Berlin
Maria Callas’ Annina returns to sing the same role after sixty years
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
Amici della Scala celebrates Lila de Nobili with Frigerio, Fracci, Bruson and …
The annual presentation of the latest additions to the series of books produced by the Amici della Scala (Friends of La Scala) is quite an event. It is held in the grand foyer on the first floor of … [Read more...] about Amici della Scala celebrates Lila de Nobili with Frigerio, Fracci, Bruson and …
Fabio Luisi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Conductors’ Edition
Q&A When did you start playing an instrument? When I was three and a half years old. Why did you start playing? My parents sent me to piano lessons, for me it was more like a game. Which … [Read more...] about Fabio Luisi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Conductors’ Edition
Happy 100th Birthday Nino Rota
Nino Rota would have been 100 today. He died in 1979 but his work is well remembered 30 years on. The Italian composer was born in Milan and although he wrote operas (Il cappello di paglia di … [Read more...] about Happy 100th Birthday Nino Rota
Farley Granger, star of Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train and Rope, and Visconti’s Senso, dies aged 85
The actor Farley Granger, most famous for his roles in Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train and Rope, has died of natural causes at the age of 85 in New York. In the 1951 thriller Strangers on a … [Read more...] about Farley Granger, star of Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train and Rope, and Visconti’s Senso, dies aged 85
Annie Girardot, grande dame of French cinema, remembered for Visconti’s “Rocco and His Brothers”, has died aged 79
Annie Girardot, the perky, gravely-voiced actress who became one of France's most acclaimed stars, has died. She was 79. Girardot had suffered since 2006 from Alzheimer's disease, and died today in … [Read more...] about Annie Girardot, grande dame of French cinema, remembered for Visconti’s “Rocco and His Brothers”, has died aged 79
