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
Milan
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 and … [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 the … [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
What a week at La Scala! First La Bartoli and now a last minute substitution on the most prestigious night of the year.
The opera and ballet season at La Scala opens today. December 7 is the day that Milan celebrates Saint Ambose (Sant'Ambrogio), its Patron Saint who was a Bishop of the city in the 4th century. Schools … [Read more...] about What a week at La Scala! First La Bartoli and now a last minute substitution on the most prestigious night of the year.
Boris Bilinsky: costume and set designer for ballet, opera and film and legendary graphic artist
Boris Bilinsky was born in Odessa in 1900, but left Russia in 1920, escaping from the aftermath of the Revolution. He settled in Berlin where he was still able to collaborate with Russian theatres, … [Read more...] about Boris Bilinsky: costume and set designer for ballet, opera and film and legendary graphic artist
Cecilia Bartoli triumphs at La Scala amidst catcalls and boos
After nineteen years, Cecilia Bartoli's return to Milan's La Scala tonight was long overdue. Daniel Barenboim was the instigator of the event, the opening of the La Scala Philharmonic's season. An … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli triumphs at La Scala amidst catcalls and boos
Adolphe Appia at La Scala: a new publication by the Amici della Scala
The Amici della Scala (Friends of La Scala) was formed in 1978 to promote music, art and culture in Milan and the Lombardy region, though the La Scala opera house is the focus of their … [Read more...] about Adolphe Appia at La Scala: a new publication by the Amici della Scala
Adelina Patti in a splendid portrait now on show in Milan
Giuseppe Verdi on Adelina Patti, one of the great coloratura singers of the 19th century: When I heard her for the first time (she was eighteen) in London, I was astounded not only by the marvellous … [Read more...] about Adelina Patti in a splendid portrait now on show in Milan
Adelina Patti: Her voice was a technical marvel
Italian voice expert Rodolfo Celletti said of Adelina Patti: Her voice was a technical marvel. The staccatos were marvels of accuracy, even in the trickiest intervals, her legato was impressively … [Read more...] about Adelina Patti: Her voice was a technical marvel
Saturday nights heat up as Tony Manero struts into Milan
Tony Manero is coming to town in a brand new production of Saturday Night Fever, performed in an all-Italian translation as La Febbre del Sabato Sera. After a few months of touring in the … [Read more...] about Saturday nights heat up as Tony Manero struts into Milan
Stéphane Lissner to leave La Scala for the Paris Opera in 2015
After the rumours and denials of recent days, Aurélie Filippetti, the French Minister of Culture, has confirmed that Stéphane Lissner will take over from Nicolas Joel when the latter leaves the helm … [Read more...] about Stéphane Lissner to leave La Scala for the Paris Opera in 2015
Milan’s Teatro Franco Parenti celebrates its birthday with an orgy of Hamlets
One of the most respected Milanese theatres was born from an artistic collaboration between three pillars of Italian theatre: the director Franco Parenti, writer Giovanni Testori and up-and-coming … [Read more...] about Milan’s Teatro Franco Parenti celebrates its birthday with an orgy of Hamlets
A singer on stage using an iPhone? It happened last night at La Scala!
René Pape has a has dour personality. A smile consists of lifting the edges of the mouth by a millimetre, and he rarely looks up to engage with the audience perched up in the gods. But Pape sure knows … [Read more...] about A singer on stage using an iPhone? It happened last night at La Scala!
The whiff of celebrity: Carla Fracci launches her new perfume, Aurora
David Beckham has his underwear collection, singer Jessica Simpson has a wildly popular fashion label, and Italian ballerina Carla Fracci has her perfume collection. Yesterday, in Milan's chic 10 … [Read more...] about The whiff of celebrity: Carla Fracci launches her new perfume, Aurora
Unseen photos: one month after the death of Richard Cragun we publish photos of his Swan Lake at La Scala with Carla Fracci
In 1974 at Milan's Teatro alla Scala the 37-year-old Carla Fracci danced a series of 20 performances of John Field's Swan Lake with three different partners: Rudolf Nureyev, Roberto Fascilla and … [Read more...] about Unseen photos: one month after the death of Richard Cragun we publish photos of his Swan Lake at La Scala with Carla Fracci
Rite of Spring at the Bolshoi: Béjart, Bausch, and Wayne McGregor’s new version for the Bolshoi Ballet
The Bolshoi Theatre has announced its 2012-2013 season and touring schedule. Milan's Teatro alla Scala will kick off the season on September 6 with Robert Carsen's acclaimed production of Don … [Read more...] about Rite of Spring at the Bolshoi: Béjart, Bausch, and Wayne McGregor’s new version for the Bolshoi Ballet
Amleto² engulfed by the outsize personality of Filippo Timi
Filippo Timi is a strange theatre beast indeed. An actor of power and fascination who attacks his projects fearlessly, careering from comedy to tragedy, from extreme campness to rugged masculinity, … [Read more...] about Amleto² engulfed by the outsize personality of Filippo Timi
The dance drain: who will save ballet in Italy?
Italians are great dancers, but they don't get much opportunity to demonstrate that in their homeland. The history of ballet is adorned with Italian talent: Giuseppina Bozzacchi was the … [Read more...] about The dance drain: who will save ballet in Italy?
La Famiglia: opera Italian-style with the Muti family
Riccardo Muti’s daughter is about to make her directing début: Chiara Muti will direct Hindemith’s Sancta Susanna, which her father will conduct, for the Ravenna Festival. Oh yes, her mother, Cristina … [Read more...] about La Famiglia: opera Italian-style with the Muti family
Sylvie Guillem on why she’s still ‘Mademoiselle Non’
Sylive Guillem will be in Venice tomorrow to receive from the Biennale the Leone d'oro (Golden Lion) for "having redesigned the form of the dancer, defying the laws of physics". Valeria Crippa … [Read more...] about Sylvie Guillem on why she’s still ‘Mademoiselle Non’
Sorpresa! Cecilia Bartoli returns to La Scala after a 20 year gap
It was announced yesterday that Cecilia Bartoli will return to Milan’s La Scala after an absence of twenty years. The singer, feted abroad but largely ignored in her homeland, was working on a project … [Read more...] about Sorpresa! Cecilia Bartoli returns to La Scala after a 20 year gap
Roberto Bolle: I conquered America… ABT, Black Swan and solitude
After Roberto Bolle's Romeo and Juliet with the American Ballet Theatre in New York, Italy's gossip magazine Chi sent their editor Alsonso Signorini to interview him, and photographer Fabrizio Cestari … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle: I conquered America… ABT, Black Swan and solitude
Premier danseur Alessio Carbone puts on a tutu and wonders about having the body of Gisele and the voice of Bartoli
Alessio Carbone is a Premier Danseur at the Paris Opera. He comes from a family of dancers. His father, Giuseppe Carbone, was the director of the company at Milan's La Scala and his mother, Iride … [Read more...] about Premier danseur Alessio Carbone puts on a tutu and wonders about having the body of Gisele and the voice of Bartoli
Milan and Turin’s MITO Festival is ideal for music lovers on a budget: programme 2012
More than 4000 artists will gather in Milan and Torino during September for the annual MITO Festival. It is one of the largest music festivals in the world and half of the programming is admission … [Read more...] about Milan and Turin’s MITO Festival is ideal for music lovers on a budget: programme 2012
Natalie Dessay pulls out of next month’s Manon performances at La Scala “for health reasons” – Netrebko takes over
Natalie Dessay was forced to cancel, even mid-performance, performances of La Traviata at the Metropolitan Opera last month, where she was replaced by soprano Hei-Kyung Hong. The conductor was Fabio … [Read more...] about Natalie Dessay pulls out of next month’s Manon performances at La Scala “for health reasons” – Netrebko takes over