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
Luciano Pavarotti
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
Bolle’s Boléro: Roberto Bolle at La Scala performs Béjart’s intoxicating rite for the first time
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 him as La Mélodie. Even now, after his run of performances of Boléro, many hold on to that view. How delighted I was to be proved wrong (not that I had voiced my doubts, I may add) … [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
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 others. Which singer inspired you most when you were young? Luciano Pavarotti. Which singer do you most admire? Bryn Terfel. What’s your favourite role? The Barber of Seville. What role … [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
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 Maddalena di Coigny, and Luca Salsi plays Gérard. The production is directed by Mario Martone with sets by Margherita Palli and costumes by Ursula Patzak, and the first night … [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
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 Kabaivanska, still statuesque and glamourous at 82. Interspersed with audio and video clips of some of her celebrated roles, were well-aimed questions from the extremely … [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
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 November. After the success of Puccini’s Tabarro in 1959 with Piero Cappuccilli at Vercelli’s Teatro Civico, Kabaivanska started out on her triumphant international career. Her … [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
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 opera house he sang under the baton of Abbado, Prêtre, Kleiber, Patané, Gavazzeni, Karajan, Maazel and Muti. Pavarotti worked extensively with La Scala's current Musical … [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
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 humble family in Nonant-le-Pin, in north-western France. Hers is the classic rags-to-riches story, complete with a mother who died when she was young and an alcoholic father. When … [Read more...] about Marie Duplessis, at 23, inspired Dumas then Verdi; now 23-year-old Maria Mudryak sings La traviata