Ezio Frigerio has died at the age of 91. He made theatre history alongside Giorgio Strehler, Rudolf Nureyev, Eduardo De Filippo, and Vittorio De Sica. He leaves his wife and frequent collaborator, the … [Read more...] about Ezio Frigerio, the great theatre designer, dies at 91
Piccolo Teatro
Italian singer Milva has died at 81 – a career from pop to Berio
Yesterday, Italy lost one of its greatest singers of popular music, Milva, a singer who interpreted Brecht (working with Giorgio Strehler at Milan’s Piccolo Teatro), collaborated many times with Astor … [Read more...] about Italian singer Milva has died at 81 – a career from pop to Berio
Riccardo Chailly and Irina Brook bring Brecht and Weill back to La Scala
On March 18 at 8 pm CET, Riccardo Chailly conducts Die sieben Tosdsünden ("The Seven Deadly Sins") and Mahagonny Songspiel in a live-streamed performance from La Scala. The Kurt Weill double bill … [Read more...] about Riccardo Chailly and Irina Brook bring Brecht and Weill back to La Scala
Two beautiful volumes from Amici della Scala: 80 years of costumes at La Scala and the designer Coltellacci
Vittoria Crespi Morbio, the writer of an exceptional collection of books produced by the Amici della Scala, has written monographs on important artists who have collaborated with Teatro alla Scala – … [Read more...] about Two beautiful volumes from Amici della Scala: 80 years of costumes at La Scala and the designer Coltellacci
Ferruccio Soleri – After 60 years and 2,283 performances, Italy’s Arlecchino bows out
On 13 May, a very important actor took his final bow. Goldoni’s Harlequin, servant to two masters, known in Italy as simply Arlecchino, has seen Ferruccio Soleri in the leading role since 1959. Now, … [Read more...] about Ferruccio Soleri – After 60 years and 2,283 performances, Italy’s Arlecchino bows out
Love Hurts – creating a new opera. Nicola Moro and Lisa Hilton’s take on De Sade and Gilles de Rais
On Saturday 25 June in Milan a new opera will get its world premiere at Milan’s prestigious Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato. Love Hurts is written by Italian composer Nicola Moro with a libretto by Lisa … [Read more...] about Love Hurts – creating a new opera. Nicola Moro and Lisa Hilton’s take on De Sade and Gilles de Rais
Luca Ronconi, Italian director of theatre and opera, dies at 81
Italian director Luca Ronconi died yesterday evening in the Policlinico in Milan after a short illness. His health had been poor over the last years, he was on dialysis, and was complicated by … [Read more...] about Luca Ronconi, Italian director of theatre and opera, dies at 81
Rothko in Rome: an interview with Carolyn Carlson
"It’s very difficult to tour now in Italy with its money problems," Carolyn Carlson tells me, which makes producer Daniele Cipriani a brave man indeed: he is bringing her new piece Dialogue with … [Read more...] about Rothko in Rome: an interview with Carolyn Carlson
Milan celebrates one of its most-loved actresses as she turns 80
Giulia Lazzarini, one of Giorgio Strehler's favourite actress, and for decades a constant presence on the stage of Milan's famed Piccolo Teatro, is 80 and, rightly, it was at the Piccolo Teatro that … [Read more...] about Milan celebrates one of its most-loved actresses as she turns 80
Valentina Cortese becomes a Commandeur dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Italian actress Valentina Cortese was awarded France's highest honour in recognition of her contribution to the arts, the Commandeur dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres, during a ceremony on … [Read more...] about Valentina Cortese becomes a Commandeur dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Actress Valentina Cortese radiant in haute couture at 90
Great Italian actress Valentina Cortese turned 90 this year. Style has always been part of her life (she is the sort of actress who is theatrical offstage as well as on) and the diva quality in her … [Read more...] about Actress Valentina Cortese radiant in haute couture at 90
Aterballetto’s Romeo and Juliet in Milan: contemporary dance at its highest level
Romeo and Juliet by Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti was created for his company Aterballetto in 2006, and has received international acclaim ever since. But what a strange bird it is. Exotic … [Read more...] about Aterballetto’s Romeo and Juliet in Milan: contemporary dance at its highest level
Aterballetto embarks on a mini dance festival at Milan’s Piccolo Teatro
Aterballetto and its choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti come to Milan's Piccolo Teatro for more than 2 weeks with a mini Festival of their repertory. Kicking off will be the Romeo and Juliet on May 17. It … [Read more...] about Aterballetto embarks on a mini dance festival at Milan’s Piccolo Teatro
Marie-Agnès Gillot in Milan for Pippo Delbono’s “After The Battle”
This is how The New York Times introduced Delbono to its readership in an interview last year: Part theater, part dance, part carnival, part music, the works of Pippo Delbono are hard to … [Read more...] about Marie-Agnès Gillot in Milan for Pippo Delbono’s “After The Battle”
Ornella Vanoni wows the Milanese audience at the MITO Festival
"Le canzoni della Mala" are songs about the Milanese underworld, most of which originated in the 50s when the great Italian theatre director Giorgio Strehler realised that Milan lacked a tradition of … [Read more...] about Ornella Vanoni wows the Milanese audience at the MITO Festival