On 2 January, Luciano Ganci ends his run of five performances as Don Alvaro in La forza del destino, the opening opera of the season at Teatro alla Scala. His Leonora so far has been Anna Netrebko, … [Read more...] about Interview: Tenor Luciano Ganci on La forza del destino at La Scala
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Interview: Jakub Józef Orliński – freedom of movement
Five years ago, in 2019, I interviewed the countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński ahead of his Glyndebourne debut. The interview was not about his singing for an opera magazine, but about his dancing for … [Read more...] about Interview: Jakub Józef Orliński – freedom of movement
Review: Les Étoiles gala in Milan – 21 dancers, 17 pieces, 3 hours of starry dance
Writing about ballet galas is always a challenge and a review can easily turn into a shopping list... he did this, then they did that. The latest Les Étoiles gala from Daniele Cipriani was certainly … [Read more...] about Review: Les Étoiles gala in Milan – 21 dancers, 17 pieces, 3 hours of starry dance
Opera singers against the coronavirus – how one singer is lifting spirits in Milan
Gramilano happens to be a neighbour of Armando Ariostini, the baritone who works tirelessly for Casa Verdi, the retirement home for musicians, here in Milan. The coronavirus has kept us all in our … [Read more...] about Opera singers against the coronavirus – how one singer is lifting spirits in Milan
Milan Expo 2015 – The Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at the Palazzo Reale
The Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at the Palazzo Reale in Milan – opening last week to coincide with the beginning of the Milan Expo on 1 May – is not to be missed, even if the show misses some … [Read more...] about Milan Expo 2015 – The Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at the Palazzo Reale
Carla Fracci for Expo 2015: Milan, Capital of the World
The Milanese ballerina, Carla Fracci, has become an Ambassador for the Milan Expo 2015. The theme of the World Expo is Feed the planet, Energy for Life and in the clip below she talks about her … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci for Expo 2015: Milan, Capital of the World
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
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
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
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!
Debutto a Milano di “Priscilla, la regina del deserto”
by Stefania Clerici “True colors are beautiful, like a rainbow” cantava Cyndi Lauper negli anni ’80…E veri, spettacolari e coloratissimi sono le scene, le luci, i costumi e la colonna sonora del … [Read more...] about Debutto a Milano di “Priscilla, la regina del deserto”
Priscilla struts into Milan in her high-heels… and will survive!
in italiano by Stefania Clerici “True colors are beautiful, like a rainbow” sang Cyndi Lauper in the 80s…and true, spectacular and multi-coloured are the sets, lights, costumes and music of the … [Read more...] about Priscilla struts into Milan in her high-heels… and will survive!
A ballerina speaks out: Mariafrancesca Garritano, La Scala soloist, talks frankly about the eating-disorders which plague the company
Sant'Ambrogio (Saint Ambrose) is Milan's patron saint, and on his Saint's Day, 7th December, Milan's opera house La Scala opens its new season. However, one of the ballet soloists has chosen the eve … [Read more...] about A ballerina speaks out: Mariafrancesca Garritano, La Scala soloist, talks frankly about the eating-disorders which plague the company
‘Restored’ video of Rudolf Nureyev’s version of Romeo and Juliet with Carla Fracci and Margot Fonteyn, now on YouTube
In 1983, Rudolf Nureyev's version of Romeo and Juliet was filmed in Milan, and broadcast in Italy and in Britain on Boxing day of the same year. It stars Carla Fracci as his Juliet and the … [Read more...] about ‘Restored’ video of Rudolf Nureyev’s version of Romeo and Juliet with Carla Fracci and Margot Fonteyn, now on YouTube
The MITO international festival of music – between Milan and Turin 155 concerts with 3,500 artists in 3 weeks
Developing and expanding upon 30 years of experience racked up by Torino’s original and prestigious SettembreMusica, beginning in 2007 the festival became MITO SettembreMusica as Milano (MI) and … [Read more...] about The MITO international festival of music – between Milan and Turin 155 concerts with 3,500 artists in 3 weeks