Young soprano Benedetta Torre will be Susanna in the revival of Giorgio Strehler’s renowned production of Le nozze di Figaro at La Scala in Milan, which opens tonight, 30 September 2024. Torre, who … [Read more...] about [Interview] Soprano Benedetta Torre – La Scala’s newest Susanna
Maria Callas
A 131-CD collection to celebrate Maria Callas’ 100th birthday
To celebrate the 100th birthday of Maria Callas, Warner Classics will release La Divina: Maria Callas in all her roles on 22 September 2023. The massive 131-CD collection is the most comprehensive … [Read more...] about A 131-CD collection to celebrate Maria Callas’ 100th birthday
The Florence opera house to sell its vast archive to avoid closure
The Maggio Musicale in Florence may sell off its large archive in a desperate attempt to find €8.5m by July, part of a huge debt left behind after Alexander Pereira resigned last February. Without … [Read more...] about The Florence opera house to sell its vast archive to avoid closure
La Scala Opera Season 2023-2024
The 2023-2024 Opera Season of the Teatro alla Scala will present 14 productions, 10 of which are new: 2 operas by Giuseppe Verdi and 2 by Giacomo Puccini, and one opera each by Antonio Cesti, Luigi … [Read more...] about La Scala Opera Season 2023-2024
The second edition of the Carla Fracci gala arrives at La Scala
After the resounding success of the first edition of Gala Fracci – a tribute by La Scala to Carla Fracci – now, two years after her death (she died on 27 May 2021) comes the second edition of what … [Read more...] about The second edition of the Carla Fracci gala arrives at La Scala
[Interview] Riccardo Frizza conducts the Verdi Requiem on the 150th anniversary of Manzoni’s death
Alessandro Manzoni died in Milan on 22 May 1873, 150 years ago. The Milanese poet, novelist and philosopher is famous for his novel I promessi sposi (The Betrothed, 1827), which is full of … [Read more...] about [Interview] Riccardo Frizza conducts the Verdi Requiem on the 150th anniversary of Manzoni’s death
[Interview] Conductor Henrik Nánási – immersing himself in the music
The Hungarian conductor Henrik Nánási will be conducting Rusalka at the Bayerische Staatsoper from 14 May, but his international career, and wide-ranging repertoire, will soon see him taking off … [Read more...] about [Interview] Conductor Henrik Nánási – immersing himself in the music
[Interview] Talking with soprano Eleonora Buratto about Hoffmann, perfume and spumante
The current run of Les contes d’Hoffmann at La Scala sees soprano Eleonora Buratto making her debut as Antonia. After the opening night, I asked her how she was settling into her new role. It's a … [Read more...] about [Interview] Talking with soprano Eleonora Buratto about Hoffmann, perfume and spumante
Angelina Jolie to play Maria Callas in biopic
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.”
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
