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
Luciano Pavarotti
Pavarotti’s family tells Trump to stop using Nessun Dorma
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
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
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”
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”
Happy 80th Birthday Mirella Freni… from La Scala – in photos and video
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
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
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
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
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
Pavarotti gets his own mineral water and exhibition
The makers of San Pellegrino mineral water have teamed up with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation to produce bottles of still and sparkling with the Pavarotti label. The international launch of the … [Read more...] about Pavarotti gets his own mineral water and exhibition
Mark S Doss answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? I was in the 5th grade when the music teacher, Mrs Mapson, asked me to sing the Wells Fargo Wagon song from Music Man. She heard me sing it back to her and then … [Read more...] about Mark S Doss answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Rosalind Plowright answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? Age 12. I had always sung before but only found my true voice at this age. My father was a bass player and had been playing in the orchestra for a performance … [Read more...] about Rosalind Plowright answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Vittorio Grigolo on his last meeting with Pavarotti and on finding his siblings
Vittorio Grigolo is a firecracker of a man, exploding in all directions, often loudly, causing excitement - and a little disorientation - among those nearby. At least that is the impression he left on … [Read more...] about Vittorio Grigolo on his last meeting with Pavarotti and on finding his siblings
Lucio Dalla, Italian singer-songwriter, dies at 68
Lucio Dalla, one of Italy’s most prolific singer-songwriters, died yesterday in Switzerland during a European concert tour. Dalla, 68, apparently died of a heart attack in a Montreux hotel after … [Read more...] about Lucio Dalla, Italian singer-songwriter, dies at 68
Zubin Mehta remembers his friend and colleague Salvatore Licitra
In an emotional interview from Lucerne, Switzerland, Zubin Mehta talked about his friend and colleague, Salvatore Licitra: I'm just devastated. It is, after all, such an unnecessary death. I heard … [Read more...] about Zubin Mehta remembers his friend and colleague Salvatore Licitra
Italian tenor Salvatore Licitra has died. He was 43.
Italian tenor Salvatore Licitra died today from head injuries he suffered nine days ago in an accident while riding his scooter in Sicily. Following the accident on 27 August near Ragusa, Licitra was … [Read more...] about Italian tenor Salvatore Licitra has died. He was 43.
American baritone Cornell MacNeil dies at 88
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
Cecilia Bartoli meets her match: wax and feathers in the musée Grévin
The musée Grévin in Paris has unveiled its Cecilia Bartoli waxwork. She joins the good company of Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti. The waxwork wears the costume designed for her … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli meets her match: wax and feathers in the musée Grévin
Tenor Vincenzo La Scola dies at 53
Vincenzo La Scola, an Italian tenor known internationally as both an opera singer and a crossover artist, died on April 15 in Turkey, where he was giving a master class, from a heart attack. He was … [Read more...] about Tenor Vincenzo La Scola dies at 53
