The Nobel Prize winning writer, actor, painter, composer and director died this morning in Milan at the age of 90. He was born on 24 March 1926 in San Giano, a small town on Lago Maggiore in Lombardy in the north of Italy. Performing and writing until a few weeks ago, even with a new television programme in Italy, he lived an extraordinarily full and creative life. He said … [Read more...] about Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo dies in Milan at 90
Milan
La Scala gets a Google Doodle
Though no special anniversary, Google users in Italy today are seeing a Google Doodle to commemorate the "238th Anniversary of the inauguration of Teatro Alla Scala". Inside the second 'O' is a view of La Scala's famous auditorium with the curtains open and a single ballerina dancing onstage with a backcloth, seeming to depict the Alps, behind her. Well, on a clear day you can … [Read more...] about La Scala gets a Google Doodle
Announcing “Coin du Roi”, Italy’s first Baroque opera company
As John Wayne said, "Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway". Who in their right mind, you may ask, would form a new opera company when Italy is juggling to balance its books and many theatres are playing to less than full houses? Well, the founding members of the association Coin du Roi – all under-30 - must have been more than a little apprehensive when … [Read more...] about Announcing “Coin du Roi”, Italy’s first Baroque opera company
Three Leonardo da Vinci paintings on loan from the Louvre for the Milan Expo 2015
The Louvre in Paris has given the ok for three of its Leonardo da Vinci paintings to travel to Milan for the ambitious exhibition of the painter's works to coincide with the Milan Expo in 2015. Leonardo lived in Milan for 17 years and, of course, his The Last Supper is painted on the walls of the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie in the city. The Expo runs from the … [Read more...] about Three Leonardo da Vinci paintings on loan from the Louvre for the Milan Expo 2015
The special woman in Roberto Bolle’s life comes forward
Mariuccia is a very special person in Roberto Bolle’s life, but is seldom seen or talked about. The paparazzi don't photograph her, and she doesn't give interviews about her relationship with Italy’s most famous male dancer, yet for Bolle she is central to his life… she's his mother. On Boxing Day, Mariuccia will have her media profile raised when she appears on the Italian … [Read more...] about The special woman in Roberto Bolle’s life comes forward
Lissner, Pereira, Barenboim, Chailly and sponsors: complications at La Scala
La Scala sovrintendente Stephane Lissner, on announcing that Daniel Barenboim will leave his post as musical director from 1 January 2015 - two years before the end of his contract - said that it will mark the "end of an era". It will allow Barenboim to conduct Fidelio which will open the 2014-2015 season on 7 December 2014, and accompany for a few months Alexander Pereira, … [Read more...] about Lissner, Pereira, Barenboim, Chailly and sponsors: complications at La Scala
Riccardo Chailly is La Scala’s next musical director
Good news for the La Scala public: Riccardo Chailly will be the next musical director after Daniel Barenboim. He is a conductor whom singers love, and he loves singers, not afraid to 'accompany' when necessary, and let them shine. He's always been popular with the La Scala crowd, including the famous loggionisti. The announcement isn't yet official, but today's Corriere … [Read more...] about Riccardo Chailly is La Scala’s next musical director
André Previn, at 84, makes his La Scala début
The cliché "better late than never" is the same in Italian - "meglio tardi che mai" - and is certainly adapt for the renowned octogenarian conductor, pianist and composer André Previn, who will make his début at Milan's legendary theatre on 24 October. A surprise début too, because 89-years-old Georges Prêtre, who was down to conduct three concerts with the La Scala … [Read more...] about André Previn, at 84, makes his La Scala début
Roberto Bolle: dancers need a perfect body, a great face, and passion
For the autumn/fall issue of Fashionisto, Roberto Bolle has been photographed by Brent Chua for a fashion shoot wearing Prada, Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana. Bolle is a Principal with the American Ballet Theatre and an Étoile at La Scala. While slipping out of his Prada jacket and pulling on his Armani trousers, he talked about the differences: In America, it's different … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle: dancers need a perfect body, a great face, and passion
Great emotion at ballet doctor’s funeral
At 10am hundreds of friends, colleagues, and neighbours, including many dancers and doctors, gathered in the sweltering heat to say their goodbyes to Walter Albisetti, a much loved figure who died tragically three days ago. Albisetti, who was only 56 years old, was for twenty years the medical advisor for the La Scala Ballet Company in Milan, a university professor, surgeon … [Read more...] about Great emotion at ballet doctor’s funeral