The Italian composer Gian Carlo Menotti is celebrated far more outside Italy than in his homeland, with his works being especially popular in the US. The (in)famous Italian critic Paolo Isotta wrote … [Read more...] about [Review] Gian Carlo Menotti celebrated in Italy with The Medium and The Telephone
Metropolitan Opera
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
From the Vienna Phil to the MET management: the world is watching
In an open letter, Daniel Froschauer, head of the Vienna Philharmonic, wrote, The world is watching. 30% of the members of the MET Orchestra can no longer sustain a living in New York City due to … [Read more...] about From the Vienna Phil to the MET management: the world is watching
Tides of Memory: a film by Luisa Mariani inspired by William Kentridge
As the 2020 edition of the International New York Film Festival comes to a close, an Italian entry stands out called Tides of Memory, inspired by an encounter with William Kentridge and his … [Read more...] about Tides of Memory: a film by Luisa Mariani inspired by William Kentridge
The Bolshoi Theatre’s Director on the current closure and the worrying task of reopening
Автор: Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0, Ссылка In a plain-speaking interview with the Russian newspaper Kommersant, the Bolshoi Theatre’s General Director, Vladimir Urin, talked about the impending … [Read more...] about The Bolshoi Theatre’s Director on the current closure and the worrying task of reopening
Conductor Nello Santi – who conducted 401 performances at The Met – has died at 88
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
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
Tenor Marcello Giordani has died at 56
Tenor Marcello Giordani died this afternoon following a heart attack – he was 56 years old. He was at his home in Augusta in the Province of Syracuse when at about 3 pm, after lunch, he felt unwell, … [Read more...] about Tenor Marcello Giordani has died at 56
Vittorio Grigolo comments on recent accusations after a triumphant performance at La Scala
Vittorio Grigolo received an enthusiastic ovation after his performance as Nemorino in L’Elisir d’amore at La Scala. After having seen contracts suspended with The Royal Opera and The Metropolitan … [Read more...] about Vittorio Grigolo comments on recent accusations after a triumphant performance at La Scala
Vittorio Grigolo: I couldn’t apologise. I was sent home like a killer.
December 2019 UPDATE: Colleagues support Vittorio Grigolo as he replies to being fired by the Royal Opera House and the Met In a video to his fans, Vittorio Grigolo has put forward his version of the … [Read more...] about Vittorio Grigolo: I couldn’t apologise. I was sent home like a killer.
Lawrence Brownlee answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… singers’ edition!
Q&A When and why did you start singing? When I was a kid… I come from a musical family, and so music has always been a part of who I am. But I got serious about singing in high school when people … [Read more...] about Lawrence Brownlee answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… singers’ edition!
Soprano Frances Alda: arguing with Toscanini, a debut at La Scala, Chaliapin’s hairy chest, and Caruso at the Met
Frances Alda (1879 – 1952) was a New Zealand-born, Australian-raised operatic soprano. She was one of the world's most celebrated singers during the first three decades of the 20th century and was a … [Read more...] about Soprano Frances Alda: arguing with Toscanini, a debut at La Scala, Chaliapin’s hairy chest, and Caruso at the Met
The tides of memory – identity, migration and the new diasporas in a film by Luisa Mariani inspired by William Kentridge
William Kentridge’s mural, Triumphs and Laments, in Rome became the city’s biggest contemporary art work and is also Kentridge’s largest public work. The 550m stretch of black and white images was … [Read more...] about The tides of memory – identity, migration and the new diasporas in a film by Luisa Mariani inspired by William Kentridge
Raina Kabaivanska recounts career secrets including La Scala’s fur coat and Pavarotti’s kiss
Latest in a collaboration between Italy’s L’Opera magazine and La Scala to celebrate the careers of singers – both living and deceased – was Saturday’s encounter with the great Bulgarian soprano Raina … [Read more...] about Raina Kabaivanska recounts career secrets including La Scala’s fur coat and Pavarotti’s kiss
Franco Vassallo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
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
The world’s cheapest city (and most expensive) for a cultural break
Prague has come up trumps as the place where those planning a cultural city break can save money this autumn, according to the 2017 British Post Office Travel Money Cost of Culture Report. The … [Read more...] about The world’s cheapest city (and most expensive) for a cultural break
Renata Scotto on her childhood, her musical beginnings and her debut in Traviata at 18
Renata Scotto has been made an honorary citizen of Tovo San Giacomo, a small town near the Ligurian coast, in the Province of Savona — just a few kilometres from where I happen to be writing this … [Read more...] about Renata Scotto on her childhood, her musical beginnings and her debut in Traviata at 18
La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2017 – 2018
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
Toscanini was born 150 years ago today… a quick summing up of a man and his career
Arturo Toscanini is the epitome of what a conductor should be according to the mass imagination. Like Caruso and Callas, his fame went beyond the concert halls, past the record-buyers and radio … [Read more...] about Toscanini was born 150 years ago today… a quick summing up of a man and his career
Interview with Fabio Luisi, the Florence Opera’s new Musical Director
Fabio Luisi is the new music director of Florence’s Opera di Firenze and its spring festival, known as the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Zubin Mehta, who has been chief conductor of the Orchestra del … [Read more...] about Interview with Fabio Luisi, the Florence Opera’s new Musical Director
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 … [Read more...] about The first Berkshire Opera Festival opens its doors with Madama Butterfly
Lawrence Brownlee’s singing down in the crypt
On 9 December, Lawrence Brownlee will will take a break from the Metropolitan Opera stage to give an intimate performance of spirituals in the underground crypt beneath The Church of the Intercession … [Read more...] about Lawrence Brownlee’s singing down in the crypt
Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When 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 … [Read more...] about Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
@teatroallascala – the world’s most famous theatre goes digital
Social media is revolutionising how theatres and their artists communicate with audiences and fans. Teatro alla Scala, which has an august, though often severe, reputation is, surprisingly, emerging … [Read more...] about @teatroallascala – the world’s most famous theatre goes digital
Brava, Jessye! Met Opera Guild’s 80th Luncheon salutes Jessye Norman
On Friday 21 November, the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s 80th Annual Luncheon presents Brava, Jessye! to salute Jessye Norman, who recently wrote about her life in a memoir titled Stand Up Straight and … [Read more...] about Brava, Jessye! Met Opera Guild’s 80th Luncheon salutes Jessye Norman
Great tenor Carlo Bergonzi dies at 90
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
The face of a soprano: Fornasetti’s obsession with Lina Cavalieri
"Variation is not only a noble endeavour or a musical exercise, but also an intellectual tradition and virtuosity of the imagination," said Giò Ponti, Italian architect and designer, and close … [Read more...] about The face of a soprano: Fornasetti’s obsession with Lina Cavalieri
Leonard Slatkin explains the Conducting Business
Leonard Slatkin's gloriously entertaining and informative book, Conducting Business, is subtitled Unveiling the Mystery Behind the Maestro, and that is exactly what his book does, with wit, acute … [Read more...] about Leonard Slatkin explains the Conducting Business
Get on your running shoes to catch up with Fabio Luisi
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
Mark S Doss answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? I was in the 5th grade when the music teacher, Mrs Mapson, asked me to sing the Wells Fargo Wagon song from Music Man. She heard me sing it back to her and then … [Read more...] about Mark S Doss answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
