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Luciano Pavarotti

Ferruccio Furlanetto awarded the San Francisco Opera Medal

27 September 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Ferruccio Furlanetto presented with the San Francisco Opera Medal by General Director Matthew Shilvock following Eugene Onegin on September 25, 2022. Photo by Stefan Cohen, San Francisco Opera

Immediately following the opening performance of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin on 25 September, Italian bass Ferruccio Furlanetto, who sang the role of Prince Gremin, was presented with the San … [Read more...] about Ferruccio Furlanetto awarded the San Francisco Opera Medal

Luciano Pavarotti’s star unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

25 August 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Luciano Pavarotti's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Luciano Pavarotti’s daughter Caterina was present for the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 24 August 2022. During the ceremony she said,  It is a great honour to represent my … [Read more...] about Luciano Pavarotti’s star unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Pavarotti to have a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

31 July 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Luciano Pavarotti - photo Primo Gnani, 1987

There will be a new Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Luciano Pavarotti, who died in 2007 at 71. The laying ceremony will be on 24 August 2022 at 11.30 am (Los Angeles time) at 7065 Hollywood … [Read more...] about Pavarotti to have a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Riccardo Muti interview, part two: Pavarotti, communication, politics and music’s meaning

17 August 2021 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Riccardo Muti and the Vienna Philharmonic, photo by © Silvia Lelli_05

Riccardo Muti interview for his 80th birthday, part two You don't work for success, or the amount of applause and number of newspaper articles; you do it because you understand that our profession … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti interview, part two: Pavarotti, communication, politics and music’s meaning

Mirella Freni’s voice will open La Scala’s gala for its new season

30 November 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Mirella Freni as Adriana Lecouvreur in 1989, photo by Lelli e Masotti © Teatro alla Scala-sm

There will not be 24, but now 25 voices in La Scala’s gala to open its 2020-2021 season A riveder le stelle (Seeing the Stars Again). On 7 December, the video introducing the evening will feature the … [Read more...] about Mirella Freni’s voice will open La Scala’s gala for its new season

Photo Album: Mirella Freni at La Scala

10 February 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Mirella Freni in La bohème in 1963 photo by Piccagliani crop

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 … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Mirella Freni at La Scala

Mirella Freni dies at 84

9 February 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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 … [Read more...] about Mirella Freni dies at 84

Rolando Panerai dies at 95 – a career of tradition and adventure

24 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Rolando Panerai in 1975 in La bohème, photo by Erio Piccagliani

With Rolando Panerai we lose a star of opera that we will not see the like of again, and many of his performances have shaped the history of La Scala’s opera house. La Scala left these words today, … [Read more...] about Rolando Panerai dies at 95 – a career of tradition and adventure

Paolo Bordogna answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… singers’ edition

10 June 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Paolo Bordogna crop

Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? On the staircase of my apartment building, there was an echo that added force to my voice; I listened to it as though it were my voice. It was … [Read more...] about Paolo Bordogna answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… singers’ edition

George Gagnidze answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

5 June 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

George Gagnidze by Dario Acosta (2)

Q&A   in italiano When did you start singing? When I was 13 or 14 I started singing Georgian and Russian folk songs with my sister who was played the piano. Why did you start singing? My father … [Read more...] about George Gagnidze answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Bolle’s Boléro: Roberto Bolle at La Scala performs Béjart’s intoxicating rite for the first time

26 March 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Roberto Bolle in Bolero © Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2018 7

I certainly wasn’t the only one to have doubts when Roberto Bolle announced his intention to climb onto Béjart’s red table. Facebook was abuzz with comments from puzzled ballet fans who couldn’t see … [Read more...] about Bolle’s Boléro: Roberto Bolle at La Scala performs Béjart’s intoxicating rite for the first time

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

A first look at La Scala’s new Andrea Chénier with Yusif Eyvazov, Anna Netrebko and Luca Salsi

30 November 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Andrea Chénier © Brescia e Amisano,Teatro alla Scala 2017 01

Andrea Chénier is the opera to open the new season at Teatro alla Scala on 7 December 2017. Here we present the first images of the opera which stars Yusif Eyvazov in the title role, Anna Netrebko is … [Read more...] about A first look at La Scala’s new Andrea Chénier with Yusif Eyvazov, Anna Netrebko and Luca Salsi

Raina Kabaivanska recounts career secrets including La Scala’s fur coat and Pavarotti’s kiss

6 November 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Raina Kabaivanska and Carla Fracci

Latest in a collaboration between Italy’s L’Opera magazine and La Scala to celebrate the careers of singers – both living and deceased – was Saturday’s encounter with the great Bulgarian soprano Raina … [Read more...] about Raina Kabaivanska recounts career secrets including La Scala’s fur coat and Pavarotti’s kiss

Stunning photos from La Scala archives celebrate Raina Kabaivanska’s return to the theatre

3 November 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

1980 Tosca photo by Lelli e Masotti

As part of the Great Voices at La Scala series, Raina Kabaivanska will be interviewed Sabino Lenoci and Giancarlo Landini of Italy’s L’Opera magazine in the theatre at 4pm, Saturday 4 … [Read more...] about Stunning photos from La Scala archives celebrate Raina Kabaivanska’s return to the theatre

Luciano Pavarotti, 10 years after his death, celebrated in exclusive photos from the La Scala archives

6 September 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Recital in 1983

Luciano Pavarotti died ten years ago today, on 6 September 2007. Teatro alla Scala continually welcomed the great tenor to its stage for almost three decades, from 1965 until 1992. At the Milanese … [Read more...] about Luciano Pavarotti, 10 years after his death, celebrated in exclusive photos from the La Scala archives

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

Leontyne Price is 90 – best wishes and photographic memories from La Scala

10 February 2017 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Leontyne Price in front of La Scala when she made her house debut in 1960

On this day, 10 February 1927, Leontyne Price was born in Laurel, Mississipi. To celebrate her 90th birthday, La Scala joins companies, colleagues and fans the world over in wishing her a happy … [Read more...] about Leontyne Price is 90 – best wishes and photographic memories from La Scala

István Simon answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

21 January 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

István Simon at Nijinsky's grave

Q&A When did you start dancing? I started when I was 12. Why did you start dancing? I had severe heart rhythm problems and my doctor suggested me to dance as therapy for my disease. He … [Read more...] about István Simon answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Amodio and Luzzati’s Nutcracker and Coppélia once again go on tour

26 October 2016 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Ashley Bouder as Clara and Rezart Stafa as the Nutcracker   photo by Yasuko Kageyama, Opera di Roma 2014

One of the most charming and winning productions of The Nutcracker seen in Italy during the last fifty years, was created for the relatively small company AterBalletto. The company is now known as a … [Read more...] about Amodio and Luzzati’s Nutcracker and Coppélia once again go on tour

Joyce DiDonato joins opera singers from 70 years of Desert Island Discs

20 September 2016 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

As a committed fan of BBC 4's Desert Island Discs, I am delighted that Joyce DiDonato will be revealing her list of eight recordings, a book and a luxury item that she would take if she was to be cast … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato joins opera singers from 70 years of Desert Island Discs

Pavarotti’s family tells Trump to stop using Nessun Dorma

22 July 2016 by Gramilano 15 Comments

Luciano Pavarotti’s three daughters Lorenza, Cristina and Giuliana, together with his widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, have requested that the Trump campaign stops using the Maestro’s voice. A statement … [Read more...] about Pavarotti’s family tells Trump to stop using Nessun Dorma

Renata Scotto on slapping a tenor, the divine Callas, and… Bocelli

22 November 2015 by Gramilano 16 Comments

Renata Scotto 1967

Renata Scotto has never been one to hold her tongue and at 81 she doesn’t intend to start. In a recent interview for Italy’s Il Corriere della Sera, she was asked about Andrea Bocelli: He’s good when … [Read more...] about Renata Scotto on slapping a tenor, the divine Callas, and… Bocelli

Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

16 November 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Q&A   in italiano When did you start singing? I started singing when I was very young, but seriously in 1996, together with literature and music. I was a 17-year-old full of hopes and … [Read more...] about Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Interview with Virginia Zeani at 90 “My brain believes that I’m eternally young”

20 October 2015 by Gramilano 10 Comments

Inside I feel 50, outside I feel 70, and my brain believes that I’m eternally young. But on 21 October the great soprano Virginia Zeani will be 90. Naturally, many of my friends are dead. It’s … [Read more...] about Interview with Virginia Zeani at 90 “My brain believes that I’m eternally young”

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Happy 80th Birthday Mirella Freni… from La Scala – in photos and video

27 February 2015 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Mirella Freni is eighty, and to celebrate her birthday La Scala threw open its doors to her fans and opera lovers to see the great soprano once again on the stage that was hers for so many years. A … [Read more...] about Happy 80th Birthday Mirella Freni… from La Scala – in photos and video

Brava, Jessye! Met Opera Guild’s 80th Luncheon salutes Jessye Norman

14 September 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

On Friday 21 November, the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s 80th Annual Luncheon presents Brava, Jessye! to salute Jessye Norman, who recently wrote about her life in a memoir titled Stand Up Straight and … [Read more...] about Brava, Jessye! Met Opera Guild’s 80th Luncheon salutes Jessye Norman

Fiorenza Cossotto answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

1 August 2014 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Q&A  in italiano When did you start singing? When I was a girl. Why did you start singing? For my own personal enjoyment. Which singer inspired you most when you were young? No one. Which … [Read more...] about Fiorenza Cossotto answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Luca Pisaroni answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

24 September 2013 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Q&A When did you start singing? I started singing when I was 12/13 years old. I was a tenor then... Why did you start singing? I started singing because it felt so natural. Which singer … [Read more...] about Luca Pisaroni answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Pavarotti water, Bocelli wine, now Britten beer

27 May 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

San Pellegrino teamed up with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation to create special bottles of Big Lucy mineral water.  Andrea Bocelli, together with brother Alberto, produce a range of wines from … [Read more...] about Pavarotti water, Bocelli wine, now Britten beer

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NEWS

Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Principal dancer Jared Angle to give final performance with NYCB

The Australian Ballet will tour to the Royal Opera House in August 2023

Les Étoiles – the starry Rome gala at the end of January, now with two programmes

Alexei Ratmansky joins New York City Ballet as Artist in Residence

Ballet dancer Denis Vieira dies in Cyprus at 31

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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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