11,1% of Italy's viewing public tuned in to watch Andrea Chénier transmitted yesterday evening, live from La Scala.2,077,000 viewers followed the production, with over 11 million people watching it for a while before changing channels to watch their favourite game show.Italy is the home of opera, but people don’t wander down the streets whistling melodies from Aida, so … [Read more...] about More than 10% tune in to see Andrea Chénier live from La Scala
Madama Butterfly
Maria José Siri answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italianoWhen did you start singing? I started as young girl… for as long as I can remember.Why did you start singing? I started by accident. I was supposed to go to my saxophone class, but I was given the wrong day and time of the lesson, and therefore I found myself attending a voice class.Which singers inspired you the most when you were … [Read more...] about Maria José Siri answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Franco Vassallo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italianoWhen did you start singing? When I was 11 to a disc of Rigoletto with Gobbi, Callas and Di Stefano; a blanket on my shoulder and an umbrella served as my cloak and sword!Above all I loved "La donna è mobile" and the role of the Duke of Mantua; my voice would crack but I didn’t give in!Why did you start singing? Because I thought it was … [Read more...] about Franco Vassallo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Angela Gheorghiu’s releases first studio recording in six years: Eternamente – The Verismo Album
The studio recording - her first in six years - explores the generation of Italian composers that followed Verdi, including three duets with tenor Joseph Calleja Eternamente - The Verismo Album, Angela Gheorghiu's first studio recording in six years, will be released on 20 October 2017, and will feature performances of opera and song by Italian composers of the generation that … [Read more...] about Angela Gheorghiu’s releases first studio recording in six years: Eternamente – The Verismo Album
Traviata opens tonight at La Scala… here’s a sneak peek
The staging of La traviata is the lavish Liliana Cavani production with sets by Dante Ferretti with which Verdi’s masterpiece returned to La Scala in 1990 conducted by Riccardo Muti. It was performed as a preview performance two days ago, with the proceeds going to help Italy's earthquake victims.Ailyn Perez will be singing tonight's opening performance and the … [Read more...] about Traviata opens tonight at La Scala… here’s a sneak peek
Jonas Kaufmann on his return to singing after 4 months, and his love of Italian singability
Jonas Kaufmann has not sung since September when he sang the programme from his glorious new cd, Dolce Vita, at Teatro San Carlo in Naples. He was forced to cancel his imminent appearances due to voice problems… then a few more dates… then a few more, even cancelling his appearance at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony.Well, the good news is that his annus horribilis is over and … [Read more...] about Jonas Kaufmann on his return to singing after 4 months, and his love of Italian singability
Chailly’s Madama Butterfly is a revelation at La Scala – Maria José Siri captivating in the title role
So Madama Butterfly has finally had the triumph at La Scala that Puccini was hoping for in 1904 when the opera received its world premiere. Instead, 112 years ago, it was greeted with whistles and boos. Puccini was so disillusioned that he would never again collaborate with La Scala. His last and unfinished opera, Turandot, was premiered in Milan, but after his death. He … [Read more...] about Chailly’s Madama Butterfly is a revelation at La Scala – Maria José Siri captivating in the title role
Preview of the sumptuous new Madama Butterfly at La Scala
The opening of an opera season is an important event at any opera house, but at La Scala it is indeed something special. It is always on 7 December, Milan’s saint’s day. St Ambrose was the bishop of Milan in the 4th century, highly influential, and became one of the four fathers of the Catholic Church together with Saint Gregory the Great, Saint Augustine, and Saint Jerome. He … [Read more...] about Preview of the sumptuous new Madama Butterfly at La Scala
Riccardo Chailly on Puccini’s first Madama Butterfly, soon to revisit La Scala
There is a small exhibition in La Scala’s museum which looks at the theatre’s previous productions of Madama Butterfly, an opera that had its world premiere at the theatre in 1904. What is surprising is that in all the many concepts and designs there has always been a kimono and fan when so many other operas have received the jeans and piercings treatment, or been given the … [Read more...] about Riccardo Chailly on Puccini’s first Madama Butterfly, soon to revisit La Scala
The first Berkshire Opera Festival opens its doors with Madama Butterfly
The Berkshires in Massachusetts is about to welcome the Berkshire Opera Festival which aims “to entertain and enrich the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds throughout the Berkshire region by providing accessible and affordable performances of a broad range of operas with the highest artistic standards”. No mean task in 2016, but its founders, Jonathon Loy and Brian … [Read more...] about The first Berkshire Opera Festival opens its doors with Madama Butterfly