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Madama Butterfly

Conductor Nello Santi – who conducted 401 performances at The Met – has died at 88

7 February 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Santi Nello crop

The conductor Nello Santi has died at 88. He last worked at La Scala in November 2017, when he was 86, conducting Nabucco. He was born in 1931 in Adria in the Veneto region. He was the director of … [Read more...] about Conductor Nello Santi – who conducted 401 performances at The Met – has died at 88

Hui He answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

9 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Hui He at the close of a concert

When did you start singing? I always loved to sing since I was a child. I sang on every occasion, also during public events at school, where my maths teacher heard me and advised me to take singing … [Read more...] about Hui He answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

More than 10% tune in to see Andrea Chénier live from La Scala

8 December 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Andrea Chénier © Brescia e Amisano,Teatro alla Scala 2017 03

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 … [Read more...] about More than 10% tune in to see Andrea Chénier live from La Scala

Maria José Siri answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

15 November 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Portrait of Maria José Siri by Victor Santiago 2

Q&A   in italiano When did you start singing? I started as a 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 … [Read more...] about Maria José Siri answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Franco Vassallo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

5 November 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Franco Vassallo

Q&A   in italiano When 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 … [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

31 August 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Eternamente   Angela Gheorghiu 4

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 … [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

28 February 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

La traviata, Teatro alla Scala 2017 3

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 … [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

3 January 2017 by Gramilano 6 Comments

Dolve Vita, Jonas Kaufmann

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 … [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

8 December 2016 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Madama Butterfly   Dress Rehearsal   Brescia & Amisano   Teatro alla Scala 04a

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 … [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

3 December 2016 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Madama Butterfly   Dress Rehearsal   Brescia & Amisano   Teatro alla Scala 01

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 … [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

27 November 2016 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Madama Butterfly   Teatro della 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 … [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

5 August 2016 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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 … [Read more...] about The first Berkshire Opera Festival opens its doors with Madama Butterfly

Puccini’s granddaughter against Riccardo Chailly’s booed Madama Butterfly

5 June 2016 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Riccardo Chailly’s ‘Puccini Project’ at La Scala will continue with a new production of Madama Butterfly to open the 2016-2017 Season. The opera was written for La Scala in February 1904 and was … [Read more...] about Puccini’s granddaughter against Riccardo Chailly’s booed Madama Butterfly

Maria José Siri on being chosen as Chailly’s Butterfly at La Scala

20 May 2016 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Soprano Maria José Siri will be the protagonist of Madama Butterfly for the opening of the La Scala opera season on 7 December 2016. She was born in Uruguay but has been living for several years in … [Read more...] about Maria José Siri on being chosen as Chailly’s Butterfly at La Scala

La Scala Opera Season 2016-2017 – full dates and casts

18 May 2016 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Ballet Season 2016-2017 Recital and Concert Season 2016-2017 The new season opens with another step along the path of Riccardo Chailly’s Puccini Project, Madama Butterfly, which will be … [Read more...] about La Scala Opera Season 2016-2017 – full dates and casts

Alexander Pereira’s new season at La Scala is rejected by the Lombardy Region

5 May 2016 by Gramilano 4 Comments

La Scala’s Chief Executive, Alexander Pereira, saw his proposal for the theatre’s 2016-2017 season rejected yesterday by the Lombardy Region, one of the founding members of the Scala Foundation. … [Read more...] about Alexander Pereira’s new season at La Scala is rejected by the Lombardy Region

ROYAL OPERA SEASON 2016 – 2017: theatre, cinema and radio

7 April 2016 by Gramilano 1 Comment

All the details of the 2016-2017 Opera Season at London's Royal Opera House: skip to section: ROYAL OPERA 2016-2017 SEASON - IN BRIEF THE ROYAL OPERA 2016-2017 SEASON THE ROYAL OPERA SEASON … [Read more...] about ROYAL OPERA SEASON 2016 – 2017: theatre, cinema and radio

Marco Berti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

9 June 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Q&A   in italiano When did you start singing? More or less I’ve always sung. First at my local church, then one day my cousin, who sung Ave Marie for weddings, gave me the chance to try and I … [Read more...] about Marco Berti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

La Scala pays tribute to Fiorenza Cossotto

10 May 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Yesterday, La Scala celebrated Fiorenza Cossotto’s 80th birthday with a conference in the Toscanini Foyer. Joining her were Sabino Lenoci and Giancarlo Landini from L’Opera Magazine. The idea of … [Read more...] about La Scala pays tribute to Fiorenza Cossotto

Warner Classics issue Maria Callas’ new LP

21 October 2014 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Warner Classics released a new Maria Callas LP today. LP? Yes LP! Although the Long Playing disc has had a niche market after the introduction of CDs in the pop music field, especially for indie … [Read more...] about Warner Classics issue Maria Callas’ new LP

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

Great tenor Carlo Bergonzi dies at 90

26 July 2014 by Gramilano 8 Comments

Carlo Bergonzi (born Polesine Parmense, 13 July 1924 – died Milan, 25 July 2014)  Carlo Bergonzi, one of the greatest tenors of the 20th Century, died last night in Milan's Auxologico Institute, just … [Read more...] about Great tenor Carlo Bergonzi dies at 90

Callas and Sutherland’s tenor – Renato Cioni – dies at 84

4 March 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Renato Cioni, the great Tuscan tenor, died today in his home town of Portoferraio, on the island of Elba, where he was born almost 85 years ago. His career took off in the mid 1950s when  he sang … [Read more...] about Callas and Sutherland’s tenor – Renato Cioni – dies at 84

Fabio Luisi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Conductors’ Edition

7 November 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Fabio Luisi © Barbara Luisi crop

Q&A When did you start playing an instrument? When I was three and a half years old. Why did you start playing? My parents sent me to piano lessons, for me it was more like a game. Which … [Read more...] about Fabio Luisi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Conductors’ Edition

Get on your running shoes to catch up with Fabio Luisi

9 September 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Fabio Luisi’s a busy man. The 2013-2014 season finds him conducting operas at Zurich, the Met and La Scala, as well as giving countless concerts throughout the world. In his second season … [Read more...] about Get on your running shoes to catch up with Fabio Luisi

Soprano Sena Jurinac dies at 90

23 November 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Sena Jurinac has died in southern Germany at age 90. The Vienna State Opera confirmed the death today, saying it is mourning the loss of a “legendary artist who shaped not only the Vienna State … [Read more...] about Soprano Sena Jurinac dies at 90

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NEWS

New York City Ballet 2023 Spring Season is announced

Principal Brandon Lawrence to leave Birmingham Royal Ballet to join Ballett Zürich

Two new opera recordings to be released by Warner Classics/Erato

Four new Principal dancers for New York City Ballet

LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live

Royal Ballet principal dancer Laura Morera to retire

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

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Franco Fagioli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

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Joyce DiDonato answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

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Meet Francesco Gabriele Frola — National Ballet of Canada and English National Ballet’s new Principal Dancer

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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