When did you start singing? I always loved to sing since I was a child. I sang on every occasion, also during public events at school, where my maths teacher heard me and advised me to take singing lesson with her neighbour who was a voice teacher. He listened me, and he told me that I was ready to attend the conservatoire in Xi’an, my city. I went there, in few years I became … [Read more...] about Hui He answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Montserrat Caballé
A first look at La Scala’s new Andrea Chénier with Yusif Eyvazov, Anna Netrebko and Luca Salsi
Andrea Chénier is the opera to open the new season at Teatro alla Scala on 7 December 2017. Here we present the first images of the opera which stars Yusif Eyvazov in the title role, Anna Netrebko is Maddalena di Coigny, and Luca Salsi plays Gérard. The production is directed by Mario Martone with sets by Margherita Palli and costumes by Ursula Patzak, and the first night … [Read more...] about A first look at La Scala’s new Andrea Chénier with Yusif Eyvazov, Anna Netrebko and Luca Salsi
Luciano Pavarotti, 10 years after his death, celebrated in exclusive photos from the La Scala archives
Luciano Pavarotti died ten years ago today, on 6 September 2007. Teatro alla Scala continually welcomed the great tenor to its stage for almost three decades, from 1965 until 1992. At the Milanese opera house he sang under the baton of Abbado, Prêtre, Kleiber, Patané, Gavazzeni, Karajan, Maazel and Muti. Pavarotti worked extensively with La Scala's current Musical … [Read more...] about Luciano Pavarotti, 10 years after his death, celebrated in exclusive photos from the La Scala archives
Diana Damrau in glamorous (faux) fur for her new album, Grand Opera
Diana Damrau’s new album, Grand Opera, shows off the genre at its most grandiose and opulent, with eleven arias and duets by Meyerbeer. On the cover, which comes out in May, she wears suitably grandiose and opulent furs. No, no, calm down... this is not the chinchilla of Caballé back in the '70s, but haute couture fake fur. Fifty years ago they all were photographed in … [Read more...] about Diana Damrau in glamorous (faux) fur for her new album, Grand Opera
Giovanna d’Arco – the background of La Scala’s latest production
On 7 December 2015, La Scala’s 2015-2016 Season opens with Giuseppe Verdi’s Giovanna d’Arco, which had its premiere at La Scala on 15 February 1845, but hasn’t been staged at the Milanese theatre since 1865. Bringing back this opera after 150 years is part of the artistic and cultural line that will link the following seasons at La Scala. The new directors wish to revive … [Read more...] about Giovanna d’Arco – the background of La Scala’s latest production
Fiorenza Cossotto answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? When I was a girl. Why did you start singing? For my own personal enjoyment. Which singer inspired you most when you were young? No one. Which singer do you most admire? The good ones. What’s your favourite role? More than one... all the masterpieces. What role have you never played but would have … [Read more...] about Fiorenza Cossotto answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
80-year-old Montserrat Caballé cancels concerts after breaking an arm
A resilient Montserrat Caballé, still singing into her 80s, has been forced to cancel upcoming concerts in April and May after breaking an arm. She had dates in Austria, Switzerland and Germany, including Vienna's Konzerthaus, which announced that she would need to continue physiotherapy until the end of May. Last October Caballé, then a sprightly 79, suffered a stroke while … [Read more...] about 80-year-old Montserrat Caballé cancels concerts after breaking an arm
79-year-old Montserrat Caballé in hospital after a stroke and breaking her arm
Montserrat Caballé, now 79, suffered a stroke while in Russia and, while briefly losing consciousness, fell and broke an arm. She was flown last Saturday to the Sant Pau hospital in Barcelona where she is "showing favourable progress, fully conscious and able to speak with her doctors and family members" says the Voice of Russia. Consequently she has had to cancel … [Read more...] about 79-year-old Montserrat Caballé in hospital after a stroke and breaking her arm
Carla Fracci and Josè Carreras present two new DVD releases from Milan’s La Scala
Hardy Classics, together with Italy's RAI television, announced the release of two DVDs, both filmed at Teatro alla Scala in 1978, and both representing Milan's theatre at its best: La Forza del Destino and the ballet Excelsior. Its enough to read down the cast lists to get an idea of the quality of these productions. La Forza del Destino with Montserrat Caballé, Josè … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci and Josè Carreras present two new DVD releases from Milan’s La Scala