La Scala’s on-stage productions are the tip of the iceberg of the enormous ‘behind the scenes’ forces in the laboratories where sets, costumes and props are created. The company’s laboratories have … [Read more...] about Milan’s €120 million project to bring all La Scala’s laboratories to one site
Milan
Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo dies in Milan at 90
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 … [Read more...] about Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo dies in Milan at 90
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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...] about Great emotion at ballet doctor’s funeral
La Scala’s orthopaedist, Walter Albisetti, is killed by an electric saw at 56
Walter Albisetti, Milan's most well-known and respected orthopaedist, has died at 56. He was a specialist in treating dancers and most of the ballet company at La Scala had passed through his … [Read more...] about La Scala’s orthopaedist, Walter Albisetti, is killed by an electric saw at 56
Joyce DiDonato’s recital interrupted by a call from Rossini
Joyce DiDonato well and truly conquered La Scala's audience during her recital last night. She was greeted by an ovation that took her aback - the sort of applause reserved for a Marilyn Horne or … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato’s recital interrupted by a call from Rossini
Pereira to head La Scala: career and love come together in Milan
October 2015 marks the start of Alexander Pereira's reign as sovrintendente of one of the world's greatest theatres, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Yesterday the city's mayor, Giuliano Pisapia, … [Read more...] about Pereira to head La Scala: career and love come together in Milan
Kaufmann’s cancellation: curse or conspiracy?
The Curse of La Scala strikes again? As already noted in this blog, the recital series at Milan's Teatro alla Scala has suffered from a great number of cancellations and postponements during the … [Read more...] about Kaufmann’s cancellation: curse or conspiracy?
World premiere of a piece by Giuseppe Verdi
Tomorrow evening there will be a world premiere of a piece by Giuseppe Verdi, in his 200th Anniversary year. Flautist Claudio Ferrarini was rummaging through the library in Verdi's home Villa di … [Read more...] about World premiere of a piece by Giuseppe Verdi
Franca Rame, actress, playwright and wife of Dario Fo, dies at 84
Franca Rame has died in Milan at 84. She was an Italian theatre actress with a talent for comedy, playwright and an outspoken political activist. She was married to Nobel laureate playwright Dario … [Read more...] about Franca Rame, actress, playwright and wife of Dario Fo, dies at 84
Claudio Coviello is promoted to primo ballerino at La Scala
21-year-old Claudio Coviello, who famously stepped in at the last minute to replace Ivan Vasiliev, has been named primo ballerino (principal) after yesterday's performance as Albrecht in … [Read more...] about Claudio Coviello is promoted to primo ballerino at La Scala
Carla Fracci at the La Scala Theatre Ballet School celebrations
The La Scala Theatre Ballet School was formed 200 years ago, and its students are celebrating with a week of shows at Milan's Teatro Strehler. At last night's opening performance Carla Fracci, maybe … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci at the La Scala Theatre Ballet School celebrations
The curse of the La Scala recital series? Barenboim bows out
Ok, the headline is a bit over the top, but the vocal recitals at La Scala have been having a spot of bad luck recently, especially seeing that there are only seven recitals each season. Just over … [Read more...] about The curse of the La Scala recital series? Barenboim bows out
Walter Venditti: the 84-year-old ballet teacher who keeps Milan on its toes
Milan is the sort of city which empties as soon as holidays arrive, and in Italy there are lots of holidays. The schools are shut and so are private dancing schools... except for that of Walter … [Read more...] about Walter Venditti: the 84-year-old ballet teacher who keeps Milan on its toes
Police helicopters circle overhead as Cecilia Bartoli returns to Rome
Bartoli fans battled their way to Renzo Piano's glorious Auditorium Parco della Musica through security cordons, with police helicopters circling overhead. These precautions were not for the Roman … [Read more...] about Police helicopters circle overhead as Cecilia Bartoli returns to Rome
Ivan Vasiliev drives Milan wild in his La Scala début
Ivan Vasiliev's scheduled début with the ballet company at Milan's La Scala, and also in the role of Quasimodo in Roland Petit's ballet Notre-Dame de Paris, was delayed from Saturday due to a last … [Read more...] about Ivan Vasiliev drives Milan wild in his La Scala début
Triumph in Milan for Natalia Osipova and Roberto Bolle in Notre-Dame de Paris
The main curiosity surrounding the return to La Scala of Roland Petit's ballet Notre-Dame de Paris was how cover-boy-ballerino Roberto Bolle could handle the role of the hunchback Quasimodo; as he … [Read more...] about Triumph in Milan for Natalia Osipova and Roberto Bolle in Notre-Dame de Paris
A new Mama Rose gets her turn in Italy’s first ever ‘Gypsy’
On 15 January, Milan will welcome a new Rose to the stage as Gyspy opens in Italy. Loretta Goggi has been a household name in Italy for half a century. She made her début in television as a girl … [Read more...] about A new Mama Rose gets her turn in Italy’s first ever ‘Gypsy’
With boos among the light applause, Sasha Waltz’s Roméo et Juliette finally opens in Milan
After changes of cast, threatened strikes, exorbitant economic demands from chorus and dancers, and a cancelled first night, Sasha Waltz's ballet Roméo et Juliette finally opened yesterday in … [Read more...] about With boos among the light applause, Sasha Waltz’s Roméo et Juliette finally opens in Milan
Sylvano Bussotti: flamboyant composer, poet, set and costume designer, theatre director, and… and… and…
Silvano Bussotti, known as Sylvano, is an Italian eccentric, some say genius, and the word 'flamboyant' appears in many articles about this modern Renaissance man. He is a composer, poet, set and … [Read more...] about Sylvano Bussotti: flamboyant composer, poet, set and costume designer, theatre director, and… and… and…
Roberto Bolle lays himself bare in Vanity Fair: it’s difficult to say “I love you”
In a revealing interview with the Italian Vanity Fair, Roberto Bolle opens up, and reveals parts of his psyche that he usually prefers to keep hidden in interviews. Luca Dini was asking … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle lays himself bare in Vanity Fair: it’s difficult to say “I love you”
Maria Callas’ costume for Macbeth at La Scala in 1952 in photos
Maria Callas' costumes evoke a special frisson of excitement: knowing that she was wearing it when she sang a role so loved from a recording, and, for a few, having actually seen her 60 years ago in … [Read more...] about Maria Callas’ costume for Macbeth at La Scala in 1952 in photos
Opera singer Rosalind Plowright comments on booing Bartoli at La Scala
Renée Fleming described it as the worst night of her operatic life, after Celeste Aida Roberto Alagna gave a military salute and walked off stage, Katia Ricciarelli quit the opera house refusing to … [Read more...] about Opera singer Rosalind Plowright comments on booing Bartoli at La Scala
