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Maria Callas

Angelina Jolie to play Maria Callas in biopic

24 October 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Maria Callas in 1960, photo Teatro alla Scala

Angelina Jolie will play Maria Callas in a film by Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín, known for the 2021 film Spencer, one of several of his Oscar-nominated films The biopic will focus on Callas’s … [Read more...] about Angelina Jolie to play Maria Callas in biopic

[Review] The Met’s Medea – a tour de force performance from Radvanovsky

13 October 2022 by Jonathan Gray 6 Comments

Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role of Cherubinis Medea Photo by Marty Sohl–Met Opera

Guest author Jonathan Gray sees the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Medea TitleMedeaCompanyThe Metropolitan OperaVenueMetropolitan Opera House, Lincoln CenterDate8 October … [Read more...] about [Review] The Met’s Medea – a tour de force performance from Radvanovsky

La Scala’s costume department: I could take one of Callas’s costumes home

30 August 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Maria Callas at La Scala in Macbeth, 1952

La Scala has an extraordinary collection of costumes from its past productions, going back over a hundred years – including, for example, twenty-five costumes designed for Maria Callas and Renata … [Read more...] about La Scala’s costume department: I could take one of Callas’s costumes home

Italian theatre director Filippo Crivelli dies at 93

6 February 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Ballo Excelsior, 2015, photo by Brescia e Amisano

Filippo Crivelli: born Milan, 27 March 1928 – died Milan, 6 February 2022 The theatre director Filippo Crivelli, who guided many artists on stage – from Maria Callas to Carla Fracci – died during … [Read more...] about Italian theatre director Filippo Crivelli dies at 93

Luciana Novaro, Italian ballerina who danced with Massine and Lifar, dies at 98

31 May 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

1953 Luciana Novaro in Le Baiser de la fée, photo by Erio Piccagliani © Teatro alla Scala crop

Luciana Novaro, a hugely important figure in Italian ballet, died on 26 May at 98. Her passing was unfortunately overshadowed by the death several hours later of the ballerina Carla Fracci, her friend … [Read more...] about Luciana Novaro, Italian ballerina who danced with Massine and Lifar, dies at 98

Mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig has died at 93

25 April 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Christa Ludwig (cropped)

The German opera singer Christa Ludwig, died on Saturday 24 April at the age of 93 in Klosterneuburg, Austria, where she lived. Blessed with infallible vocal means and musical intelligence, she was a … [Read more...] about Mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig has died at 93

In Memoriam 2020: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors

31 December 2020 by Gramilano 5 Comments

In-memoriam-2020-2

A subjective list of artists the world has lost in 2020. Olivia de Havilland1916-2020Actor"To Each His Own, The Heiress, Gone with the Wind and so many others. A two-time Best Actress Oscar winner, … [Read more...] about In Memoriam 2020: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors

Mirella Freni dies at 84

9 February 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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 … [Read more...] about Mirella Freni dies at 84

Rolando Panerai dies at 95 – a career of tradition and adventure

24 October 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Rolando Panerai in 1975 in La bohème, photo by Erio Piccagliani

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, … [Read more...] about Rolando Panerai dies at 95 – a career of tradition and adventure

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

Video: Carla Fracci and Roberto Bolle dance Le Spectre de la rose, 1998

31 May 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Le Spectre de la rose, Carla Fracci and Roberto Bolle, 1998

Shortly before Carla Fracci's 62nd birthday, she and 23-year-old Roberto Bolle went to Toyko for the 14th Toyko Summer Music Festival dedicated to Diaghilev and 20th Century Ballet. The young star had … [Read more...] about Video: Carla Fracci and Roberto Bolle dance Le Spectre de la rose, 1998

The play Quartet and the Giuseppe Verdi Rest Home, both in Milan

13 April 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Quartet, from left, Cochi Ponzoni, Erica Blanc, Giuseppe Pambieri, and Paola Quattrini, photo by Massimiliano Fusco

The Casa di Riposo per Musicisti (Rest Home for Musicians) in Milan is known simply as Casa Verdi (The Verdi Home) and, although Giuseppe Verdi never lived there, his body is buried there, together … [Read more...] about The play Quartet and the Giuseppe Verdi Rest Home, both in Milan

Franco Zeffirelli, at 96, on Anna Magnani and Maria Callas, his career, and old age

9 April 2019 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Maria Callas at La Scala, Il turco in Italia with Franco Zeffirelli 1955

On 21 June Franco Zeffirelli’s new production of La traviata opens at Verona’s gigantic arena. He’s 96. On Anna Magnani and Maria Callas Anna Magnani and Maria Callas were two goddesses but with … [Read more...] about Franco Zeffirelli, at 96, on Anna Magnani and Maria Callas, his career, and old age

Interview: Angel Blue at La Scala “It will never happen… not a black Violetta.”

18 March 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

La traviata, Teatro alla Scala, 2019 4

When she was twenty, Angel Blue’s singing teacher told her, “I’m sorry, but it will never happen. There will never be a black Violetta.” Now she’s at La Scala singing that very role. It’s not the … [Read more...] about Interview: Angel Blue at La Scala “It will never happen… not a black Violetta.”

Remembering the conductor Tullio Serafin, fifty years after his death

3 October 2018 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Callas with Serafin in 1960

Fifty years ago today, on 3 October 1968, Tullio Serafin died in Rome. In a long career he conducted singers from Caruso to Pavarotti. He was born near Venice in 1878, but when he was 11 the family … [Read more...] about Remembering the conductor Tullio Serafin, fifty years after his death

Two beautiful volumes from Amici della Scala: 80 years of costumes at La Scala and the designer Coltellacci

1 October 2018 by Gramilano 2 Comments

La sonnambula, Tosi e Callas, 1957 Foto Piccagliani

Vittoria Crespi Morbio, the writer of an exceptional collection of books produced by the Amici della Scala, has written monographs on important artists who have collaborated with Teatro alla Scala – … [Read more...] about Two beautiful volumes from Amici della Scala: 80 years of costumes at La Scala and the designer Coltellacci

Luisa Mandelli, Maria Callas’ Annina at La Scala, has died at 95

30 August 2018 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Luisa-Mandelli-in-La-figlia-di-Jorio,-1955

Luisa Mandelli, Maria Callas' Annina at La Scala, died last night, just short of her 96th birthday. Daniel Barenboim called her the 'eternal Annina' having sung alongside Callas in Luchino Visconti's … [Read more...] about Luisa Mandelli, Maria Callas’ Annina at La Scala, has died at 95

“Maria Callas on stage-the La Scala Years” at La Scala’s Museum extended until 31 March

30 January 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Maria Callas on Stage – the La Scala Years 06

The exhibition "Maria Callas on stage-the La Scala Years" at La Scala’s Museum has been extended until 31 March. Since 15 September over 90,000 visitors have seen the exhibition, curated by theatre … [Read more...] about “Maria Callas on stage-the La Scala Years” at La Scala’s Museum extended until 31 March

Newly restored photos from the La Scala Archive of Victor de Sabata with Callas, Tebaldi, Toscanini, Olivier

11 November 2017 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Victor de Sabata with Maria Callas after La vestale, 1954   conducted by Antonino Votto

La Scala remembers the great conductor Victor de Sabata with an exhibition in the theatre foyer (which opens tomorrow, Sunday 12 November) and Riccardo Chailly has chosen to dedicate Andrea Chénier to … [Read more...] about Newly restored photos from the La Scala Archive of Victor de Sabata with Callas, Tebaldi, Toscanini, Olivier

80 years of opera and ballet costumes from La Scala go on display

11 October 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

La traviata, design by Gabriella Pescucci for Violetta, 1990

The theatrical costume is a paradox: it hides, yet at the same time, communicates revealing aspects of a character; it is made to be seen from afar, yet the designers and costume makers care for the … [Read more...] about 80 years of opera and ballet costumes from La Scala go on display

Raina Kabaivanska on the importance of Maria Callas: She’s up there and we’re down here

16 September 2017 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Raina Kabaivanska

I was born in Bulgaria. I’m a daughter of communism. I lived with communism behind the iron curtain. We had no idea of the voices in the West because it was forbidden to listen to radio from those … [Read more...] about Raina Kabaivanska on the importance of Maria Callas: She’s up there and we’re down here

Maria Callas on Stage – a new exhibition at La Scala

14 September 2017 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Maria Callas on Stage – the La Scala Years 07

Maria Callas in scena - Gli anni alla Scala (Maria Callas on Stage – the La Scala Years) runs from 15 September to 31 January at La Scala’s museum, which is housed in the same building as the … [Read more...] about Maria Callas on Stage – a new exhibition at La Scala

A first listen to the new Maria Callas Live: Remastered Live Recordings 1949-1964

10 September 2017 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Maria Callas Live

More than a gift to their own coffers, Warner Classics in releasing Maria Callas Live is giving fans of La Divina and lovers of opera a meticulously restored collection of some of her finest … [Read more...] about A first listen to the new Maria Callas Live: Remastered Live Recordings 1949-1964

Maria Callas as told by her ‘little sister’, Giovanna Lomazzi [interview]

8 September 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Maria Callas, La Scala's Intendant Antonio Ghiringhelli, and Giovanna Lomazzi leaving the premiere of La Dolce Vita in Milan, 1960 x

On 16 September 2017, it will be 40 years since Maria Callas died in her home in Paris at the age of 53. Callas’s friend Giovanna Lomazzi was just 20 when the two of them met in Milan in 1952 after … [Read more...] about Maria Callas as told by her ‘little sister’, Giovanna Lomazzi [interview]

Maria Callas was a tenor

4 August 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Verona Sera   Maria Callas

In a bizarre muddle-up by someone at the Verona Sera online news service, a headline stated that 2 August was the 70th Anniversary of ‘tenor’ Maria Callas’s debut at the Verona Arena. Part of a … [Read more...] about Maria Callas was a tenor

Marie Duplessis, at 23, inspired Dumas then Verdi; now 23-year-old Maria Mudryak sings La traviata

10 July 2017 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Duplessis Mudryak

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 … [Read more...] about Marie Duplessis, at 23, inspired Dumas then Verdi; now 23-year-old Maria Mudryak sings La traviata

Gina Lollobrigida at 90 on Loren, Castro, singing and sculpture: “I was the number one!”

4 July 2017 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Gina Lollobrigida, photo by Chiara Samugheo (Radiocorriere) 1965

When I can to Rome the first time with my family we were six in one room: father, mother and four children. Gina Lollobrigida, who today celebrates her 90th birthday, has for many years lived in her … [Read more...] about Gina Lollobrigida at 90 on Loren, Castro, singing and sculpture: “I was the number one!”

Maria Mudryak answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

28 June 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Portrait by Victor Santiago

Q&A   in italiano When did you start singing? My first performance was when I was three years old, then when I was five I started my musical training, and at six I recorded my first CD … [Read more...] about Maria Mudryak answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2017 – 2018

31 May 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Riccardo Chailly, photo by Brescia e Amisano, 2017

A pleasing new season at La Scala seems to tick all the right boxes, with half the programming dedicated to the Italian repertoire, some rarities, important international operas and a world premiere. … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2017 – 2018

Maria Callas to Daniela Dessì: study to be good, not famous

30 October 2016 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Daniela Dessi in Chi magazine

The popular Italian gossip magazine Chi has published a series of articles about soprano Daniela Dessì. Her death at 59, just over two months ago, shocked the opera world, and beyond: Chi is not a … [Read more...] about Maria Callas to Daniela Dessì: study to be good, not famous

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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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