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
Luciano Pavarotti
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
Rolando Panerai dies at 95 – a career of tradition and adventure
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, reflecting on the career of the great baritone, who died on Tuesday at 95. Maybe some of Panerai's most memorable performances at La Scala were in Lucia di Lammermoor with Callas … [Read more...] about Rolando Panerai dies at 95 – a career of tradition and adventure
Paolo Bordogna answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… singers’ edition
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 perhaps a way to conquer my shyness. Why did you start singing? One of my classmates invited me to join a choir and I was struck by the miracle with which so many different voices … [Read more...] about Paolo Bordogna answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… singers’ edition
George Gagnidze answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
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 used to sing in a folk chorus, but not as a professional singer, it was just a hobby for him. But in my father’s family singing was a tradition, and therefore in our family … [Read more...] about George Gagnidze answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition