David McVicar’s new production of I masnadieri (The Robbers) for La Scala features a monumental set by Charles Edwards which is modified during the opera, but largely remains the same, so there is a line of showers (functional) alongside a tomb and a series of tavern tables and benches all within the entrance hall of a castle. It is beautifully lit throughout by Adam … [Read more...] about Verdi’s I masnadieri at La Scala is dark and wonderful in David McVicar’s exciting production
Massimo Cavalletti
La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2019 – 2020
After Riccardo Chailly opens the season with Tosca, continuing the cycle of works by Puccini, he will conduct his first Strauss opera, as well as the complete Beethoven symphonies. Zubin Mehta will conduct two Verdi operas as well as Luigi Nonno’s Intolleranza which will be performed at La Scala for the first time. Handel's Semele will also receive its first staged performance … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2019 – 2020
La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019
OPERA SEASON 2018 - 2019La Scala announced its 2018-2019 Opera season today with 15 titles, nine of which are new productions, and two are La Scala premieres.At the heart of the season remains the Italian repertoire, continuing with the cycle of works of Verdi, Puccini, Verismo (which will return in 2020 with Giordano’s Fedora and Montemezzi’s L’amore dei tre re), and the … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019
La Scala Opera Season 2016-2017 – full dates and casts
Ballet Season 2016-2017Recital and Concert Season 2016-2017The new season opens with another step along the path of Riccardo Chailly’s Puccini Project, Madama Butterfly, which will be directed by Alvis Hermanis (Die Soldaten and I due Foscari at La Scala) with Maria José Siri as Butterfly and Bryan Hymel as Pinkerton. It will use the original version of the opera … [Read more...] about La Scala Opera Season 2016-2017 – full dates and casts
Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italianoWhen 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 dreams that were securely locked away in my heart. Dreams that were not just centred on singing, obviously, and now, at 37, I can say that I’ve fulfilled many of those dreams, even … [Read more...] about Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Massimo Cavalletti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italianoWhen did you start singing? I began singing when I was six years old in the choir at Saint Anne’s church in Lucca, where I was born. I started singing opera when I was twenty-one.Why did you start singing? I began singing because as soon as I discovered my voice it immediately became a need and an overwhelming desire. I knew from the beginning that … [Read more...] about Massimo Cavalletti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
The perfect Bohème at La Scala… magisterial, stunning!
La Scala’s La bohème has been a constant presence in the theatre’s programming after more than half a century and now edges towards its 240th performance. The 1963 production by Franco Zeffirelli is stunning in its cinematic realism and sepia tint, his use of crowds is magisterial, the comedy perfectly nuanced, and the tragedy rips through to the heart. This is everything that … [Read more...] about The perfect Bohème at La Scala… magisterial, stunning!
La Scala complete Opera casts and dates: 2014 – 2015
4 December (Preview for young people), 7, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23 December 2014 Ludwig van Beethoven Fidelio Conductor: Daniel Barenboim Director: Deborah Warner Sets and costumes: Chloe Obolensky Cast Anja Kampe, Mojca Erdmann, Klaus Florian Vogt, Falk Struckmann, PeterMattei, Kwangchul Youn, Florian Hoffmann Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro alla Scala New production … [Read more...] about La Scala complete Opera casts and dates: 2014 – 2015