• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • HOME
  • DANCE
    • Latest Dance Posts
    • Popular Dance Posts
    • Dancers’ Questionnaires
  • MUSIC & OPERA
    • Latest Music & Opera Posts
    • Popular Music & Opera Posts
    • Singers’ Questionnaires
  • INTERVIEWS
  • NEWS
  • GRAMILANO PHOTOS
  • CONTACT
Gramilano logo 2023

- dance, opera, photography...

Michele Pertusi

Milan celebrates 80th Anniversary of La Scala’s reopening after devastating World War II bombing

11 May 2026 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Teatro alla Scala, 1943

In August 1943, Milan was bombed by Allied planes. On the night between 15 and 16 August the city centre and the Teatro alla Scala were seriously damaged. A photographic exhibition, La Scala Reborn … [Read more...] about Milan celebrates 80th Anniversary of La Scala’s reopening after devastating World War II bombing

Interview: Tenor Dave Monaco, at 30, reflects on his journey to becoming one of the world’s most exciting opera singers.

3 May 2026 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dave Monaco, photo Mattia Di Pasquale crop

Tenor Dave Monaco chats with Graham Spicer about his journey to becoming one of today’s most sought-after Rossini and Mozart singers. Dave Monaco just turned 30, and his career is flourishing. He … [Read more...] about Interview: Tenor Dave Monaco, at 30, reflects on his journey to becoming one of the world’s most exciting opera singers.

La Scala presents its Opera Season 2025-2026

27 May 2025 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Die Walküre, photo by Amisano e Brescia, Teatro alla Scala

The Opera Season 2025-2026 opens with a harsh, stark opera that “assaults the viewer, tightening them in a knot of violence and despair”. Written by Shostakovich in 1934 and inspired by Leskov’s … [Read more...] about La Scala presents its Opera Season 2025-2026

La Scala announces its 2024-2025 Opera Season

29 May 2024 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Teatro alla Scala

La Scala in Milan has announced it's opera programming for the 2024-2025 season. The inaugural title of the 2024-2025 season, La forza del destino – one of Verdi’s most important and complex works – … [Read more...] about La Scala announces its 2024-2025 Opera Season

Premiere of Don Carlo at La Scala – the numbers, the announcements, the protestations, and the photos

8 December 2023 by Gramilano 3 Comments

02 Don Carlo from La Scala, photos by Brescia and Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2023

Last night’s season opening at La Scala in Milan saw the box office return to its pre-pandemic levels, and a healthy number of viewers on the national television’s first channel, Rai1. Before … [Read more...] about Premiere of Don Carlo at La Scala – the numbers, the announcements, the protestations, and the photos

Rossini Opera Festival 2024 presented in New York

28 November 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Equivoco stravagante

The Rossini Opera Festival 2024 (the 45th edition), to be held in Pesaro from 7 to 23 August, was presented at the Italian Consulate in New York with speakers including the Intendant Ernesto Palacio … [Read more...] about Rossini Opera Festival 2024 presented in New York

LaScalaTv ‘live from Milan’ is now available on subscription

21 November 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

2021 Don Giovanni, photo Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala

On sale from today are one-month or one-year subscriptions to access the content of the theatre's streaming platform from 1 January 2024. There are gift subscriptions available, discounts on annual … [Read more...] about LaScalaTv ‘live from Milan’ is now available on subscription

New production of Verdi’s Aida opens 100th edition of Verona Arena Opera Festival

6 June 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Set design, Verona Aida 2023 by Stefano Poda

Transparent pyramids and architectural lighting will feature in the new production of Aida for the 100th edition of the Verona Arena Opera Festival – a production that is technological but intimate … [Read more...] about New production of Verdi’s Aida opens 100th edition of Verona Arena Opera Festival

La Scala Opera Season 2023-2024

29 May 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Don Pasquale, photo Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala

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

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

8 March 2023 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Turandot

Two new opera recordings are to be released by Warner Classics/Erato later this month. Turandot The recording of Turandot, which is released on 10 March 2023, marks a number of important firsts. … [Read more...] about Two new opera recordings to be released by Warner Classics/Erato

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

15 February 2023 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Madina - Roberto Bolle, Antonella Albano and the corps de ballet, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala

Yesterday was the first live stream from LaScalaTv (of I Vespri siciliani with a superb cast) and other operas, ballets, concerts and recitals will follow. La Scala has been building up a catalogue … [Read more...] about LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live

[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

The Met: Live at Home – new streaming platform makes opera simulcasts available at home

13 October 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Lawrence Brownlee as Tamino and Erin Morley as Pamina in Mozarts Die Zauberflote Photo by Zenith Richards Met Opera

The Metropolitan Opera has announced the launch of The Met: Live at Home, a streaming platform that allows audiences to watch the Met’s series of live streams from any device in the comfort of their … [Read more...] about The Met: Live at Home – new streaming platform makes opera simulcasts available at home

[Photo Album] I Capuleti e i Montecchi at La Scala with Oropesa and Crebassa

17 January 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

19 - I Capuleti and i Montecchi - Crebassa and Oropesa, photo by Brescia and Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

It seems that no production arrives before the public these days without a slight Covid hitch. I Capuleti e i Montecchi at La Scala saw the conductor Evelino Pidò withdraw during rehearsals "for … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] I Capuleti e i Montecchi at La Scala with Oropesa and Crebassa

La Scala 2021-2022 Opera Season and new philosophy

31 May 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Irina Brook

Despite the interruptions imposed by lockdowns and outbreaks of disease during the Season 2020-2021 La Scala managed to put on over 100 performances. The various closures also gave the theatre’s … [Read more...] about La Scala 2021-2022 Opera Season and new philosophy

Rome Opera summer season: opera and ballet programme 2021

19 May 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Circo Massimo 2020, photo by Kimberley Ross

Trovatore inaugurates the Rome Opera summer season followed by Madama Butterfly and La bohème Programme of dance features Swan Lake and Roberto Bolle Twenty-six evenings of opera, ballet and … [Read more...] about Rome Opera summer season: opera and ballet programme 2021

Arena Opera Festival in Verona confirms the 2021 summer programme

16 March 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Roberto Bolle, Arena di Verona, photo by Andrej Uspenski

The Arena Opera Festival has confirmed the dates, operas, and stellar casts as originally scheduled, starting with the return of Riccardo Muti, 41 years after his only appearance on the Arena’s … [Read more...] about Arena Opera Festival in Verona confirms the 2021 summer programme

Operas and concerts streaming from Italy

28 December 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Cenerentola, Modena 2020

Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavarotti, Modena Rossini’s Cenerentola is presented in a new staging by Nicola Berloffa on 30 December 2020 at 20.00 CET. Due to anti Covid restrictions, the work will be … [Read more...] about Operas and concerts streaming from Italy

[VIDEO] La Scala’s latest interviews with Roberto Bolle and Juan Diego Flórez

27 May 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dominique Meyer talks to Roberto Bolle

Milan’s La Scala may be closed, but the theatre’s Digital Department is still working hard. Five weeks ago, Dominique Meyer, the theatre’s new intendant, started a series of interviews with artists … [Read more...] about [VIDEO] La Scala’s latest interviews with Roberto Bolle and Juan Diego Flórez

Bartoli, Grigolo, Damrau et al will sing live from their homes tonight

1 May 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced an at-home concert featuring some of the world’s greatest opera stars. A concert on 1 May at 9 pm (21.00 CEST - 15.00 EDT - 20.00 BST), organised by … [Read more...] about Bartoli, Grigolo, Damrau et al will sing live from their homes tonight

Verdi’s I masnadieri at La Scala is dark and wonderful in David McVicar’s exciting production

20 July 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

07 I masnadieri, Fabio Sartori, photo Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2019

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 … [Read more...] about Verdi’s I masnadieri at La Scala is dark and wonderful in David McVicar’s exciting production

La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019

30 May 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Teatro alla Scala

OPERA SEASON 2018 - 2019 La 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 … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019

Top opera singers discuss how they choose and prepare new roles

20 October 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Gregory Kunde as Otello, photo by Matthias Baus, Teatro alla Scala 2015

Opera singing is a high-wire profession. Only the most tone-deaf will not wince when a note is off. It is all too obvious when part of a role lies too high, or too low or, indeed, hovers too much … [Read more...] about Top opera singers discuss how they choose and prepare new roles

La Scala Concert Season 2017 – 2018

1 June 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Maurizio Pollini, photo by Brescia e Amisano

Opera and Recital Season 2017 - 2018 Ballet Season 2017 - 2018 Symphonic 14, 16, 19 October 2017 Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala Daniele Gatti Miah Persson, soprano; Christianne Stotijn, … [Read more...] about La Scala Concert Season 2017 – 2018

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

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 directed … [Read more...] about La Scala Opera Season 2016-2017 – full dates and casts

A deep vein of sincere sentiment in ‘L’elisir d’amore’ at La Scala

12 October 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Tullio Pericoli’s designs for L’Elisir d’amore, currently at La Scala in Milan, recall the Osbert Lancaster sets for The Royal Ballet’s La fille mal gardée. Both men worked as illustrators for … [Read more...] about A deep vein of sincere sentiment in ‘L’elisir d’amore’ at La Scala

“Cecilia Bartoli’s” Giulio Cesare in Egitto: boos for the production, cheers for the cast

3 June 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Cecilia Bartoli's well thought out programming for her first year as director of Salzburg's Whitsun Festival was thematic, inspired by the lady of the asp, Cleopatra. The climax of the festival was a … [Read more...] about “Cecilia Bartoli’s” Giulio Cesare in Egitto: boos for the production, cheers for the cast

Primary Sidebar

  • 19.8K
    19.8K
  • 226.3K
    226.3K
  • 3.6K
    3.6K
  • 22.4K
    22.4K
  • 21.2K
    21.2K
  • 3.9K
    3.9K
Gramilano newsletter 2019

INTERVIEWS

Jacopo Bellussi and Alessandro Frola in Peter and Igor, Nijinsky Gala, Hamburg 2021 38 © Kiran West

A new John Neumeier work brings two Italian dancers back home

Katia Ricciarelli, Rai TV, 2019

Katia Ricciarelli at 74 returns to the opera stage and talks about being a diva

Juan Diego Flórez, phoyo by Manfred Baumann

Interview with Juan Diego Flórez who debuts in Ricciardo e Zoraide at Pesaro tonight

In front of the Cathedral

Two ballet dancers on returning to the stage and dancers’ mental health

Jakub Józef Orliński

In conversation with Jakub Józef Orliński

Sergei Polunin in Paradiso, photo by Silvia Lelli

Sergei Polunin: 700 years of inferno, purgatory and paradise

Martha Graham Dance Company Costumes by Martha Graham for Night Journey © Ken Browar and Deborah Ory

The Style of Movement: Fashion and Dance – dance photography from NYC Dance Project

Anna Rose O'Sullivan after her début as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, photo by Marcelino Sambé

Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star

G-100x100

GRAMILANO

Graham Spicer, aka 'Gramilano', is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.

Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.

He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.

Since 2022, Gramilano has been pleased to welcome guest authors: Paul Arrowsmith, Donatella Bertozzi, Georgina Butler, Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel, Jonathan Gray, Marina Harss, Ann Haskins, Lily Hyde, Marta Mele, Matthew Paluch, Jann Parry, Lucía Piquero, Graham Watts, Deborah Weiss, and Lydia Wharf.

Copyright © 2026 · Gramilano · All rights reserved

about me · contact me · privacy and cookies