Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? From what I remember I've always sung: when I was seven I had emergency surgery for peritonitis and I sang throughout the operation. Why … [Read more...] about Barbara Frittoli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Placido Domingo
Happy 80th Birthday Mirella Freni… from La Scala – in photos and video
Mirella Freni is eighty, and to celebrate her birthday La Scala threw open its doors to her fans and opera lovers to see the great soprano once again on the stage that was hers for so many years. A … [Read more...] about Happy 80th Birthday Mirella Freni… from La Scala – in photos and video
Bridgett Zehr answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? When I was 7 years old. Why did you start dancing? I was part of the free lunch program at school and my sister and I got a flyer about a ballet school … [Read more...] about Bridgett Zehr answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Brava, Jessye! Met Opera Guild’s 80th Luncheon salutes Jessye Norman
On Friday 21 November, the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s 80th Annual Luncheon presents Brava, Jessye! to salute Jessye Norman, who recently wrote about her life in a memoir titled Stand Up Straight and … [Read more...] about Brava, Jessye! Met Opera Guild’s 80th Luncheon salutes Jessye Norman
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 … [Read more...] about Fiorenza Cossotto answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Joyce DiDonato answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? I can't ever remember I time when I didn't sing. Why did you start singing? I can't remember the first “why” but there exists now a definite need to do it. Which … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Rosalind Plowright answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? Age 12. I had always sung before but only found my true voice at this age. My father was a bass player and had been playing in the orchestra for a performance … [Read more...] about Rosalind Plowright answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
A true Latin man: Vittorio Grigolo’s roving eye!
Vittorio Grigolo sang the song Caruso at Verona's Arena as a tribute to its composer Lucio Dalla who died last March at 68. It was part of an evening which marks the start of the build-up to the … [Read more...] about A true Latin man: Vittorio Grigolo’s roving eye!
Placido Domingo makes Christchurch sparkle again after the earthquake
Placido Domingo's performance in Christchurch was part of the ''road back to normality'' for the city, according to Prime Minister John Key. Speaking at the after-party following the sell out … [Read more...] about Placido Domingo makes Christchurch sparkle again after the earthquake
Gloves off in Washington: Placido Domingo strikes back
Washington Post music critic Anne Midgette was often critical of Placido Domingo during his years with the capital's opera company. However when she criticized his conducting of Tosca a month ago, … [Read more...] about Gloves off in Washington: Placido Domingo strikes back
Andrea Bocelli in Central Park: “The World’s Most Beliked Tenor”?
Mr. Bocelli’s fans seemed thrilled, rain or no rain. There remains a considerable divide between the passions of the audience he has reached (his recordings have sold more than 65 million, according … [Read more...] about Andrea Bocelli in Central Park: “The World’s Most Beliked Tenor”?
The opulent Royal Opera House in Muscat opens in October with Zeffirelli, Domingo, Fleming, Mariinsky, La Scala and the ABT in the opening season
The Royal Opera House Muscat will open its doors on October 14. The Royal initiative to build a magnificent opera house at Al Sarooj in Al Qurum area is one of innumerable pages of His Majesty’s … [Read more...] about The opulent Royal Opera House in Muscat opens in October with Zeffirelli, Domingo, Fleming, Mariinsky, La Scala and the ABT in the opening season
“Jackie – Celebrating Marilyn Horne” – Metropolitan Opera Luncheon 2011
The Metropolitan Opera Guild pays tribute to Marilyn Horne, on Monday, October 31. Stars and fans of opera will come together in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria for the Guild's 77th Annual … [Read more...] about “Jackie – Celebrating Marilyn Horne” – Metropolitan Opera Luncheon 2011
Placido Domingo on signing autographs and driving in London
Just before giving his O2 concert in London, Placido Domingo talked to The Sunday Times' "A Life in the Day" column: on signing autographs, I live as simply as possible, but sometimes it’s a … [Read more...] about Placido Domingo on signing autographs and driving in London
Christa Ludwig talks about Mahler and Brahms, Schwarzkopf and Hampson, Bernstein and Klemperer
Italy's most respected classical music magazine "Musica" sent Stefano Pagliantini to talk with Christa Ludwig. Here is a selection from a long interview which can be found in the July/August … [Read more...] about Christa Ludwig talks about Mahler and Brahms, Schwarzkopf and Hampson, Bernstein and Klemperer
Plácido Domingo with Angela Gheorghiu “gesturing as if on a Heathrow runway bringing in a plane”
No prize for guessing who wore the best dresses. No prize, either, for picking the singer who came out on top and won our hearts. Gheorghiu’s soprano might be a fascinating mix of rich cream and … [Read more...] about Plácido Domingo with Angela Gheorghiu “gesturing as if on a Heathrow runway bringing in a plane”
Placido Domingo announces Operalia winners in Moscow
The annual Operalia competition, held this year in Moscow, concluded Sunday with a ceremony led by the organization's founder, Plácido Domingo. The first-prize winners were American tenor René Barbera … [Read more...] about Placido Domingo announces Operalia winners in Moscow
American baritone Cornell MacNeil dies at 88
The American baritone Cornell MacNeil died on July 15, he was 88. He was best known for his many Verdi roles. From 1959 to 1987, he sang 26 roles in more than 600 appearances at the Metropolitan … [Read more...] about American baritone Cornell MacNeil dies at 88
Interview with Plácido Domingo: ‘as long as the public come, and the theatre is sold out, I will be singing’
The Times went to Paris to talk to Plácido Domingo who is rehearsing at the Théâtre du Châtelet for the European premiere of an operatic version of Il Postino. Here are some excerpts: On his … [Read more...] about Interview with Plácido Domingo: ‘as long as the public come, and the theatre is sold out, I will be singing’
Composer of the opera “Il Postino”, Daniel Catan, dies unexpectedly at 62
Daniel Catán, the composer of the opera "Il Postino," which opened the current season at Los Angeles Opera, died unexpectedly Sunday in Austin, Texas. He was 62. Catán lived in South Pasadena with his … [Read more...] about Composer of the opera “Il Postino”, Daniel Catan, dies unexpectedly at 62
Federica von Stade says goodbye to the opera stage: You can’t compete with kids who are 25 years younger. There comes a time when you feel like you’re dressed up in your daughter’s prom gown
On 6 February in Houston Federica von Stade gave her last operatic performance. She sang the role of Mrs. De Rocher, the murderer's mother, in Jake Heggie's 'Dead Man Walking', a role was written for … [Read more...] about Federica von Stade says goodbye to the opera stage: You can’t compete with kids who are 25 years younger. There comes a time when you feel like you’re dressed up in your daughter’s prom gown
Domingo at 70 – Iphigénie en Tauride at the Met, and a serenade in the Crush Bar
Singing is not easy. Even here in Milan, forget that myth that Italians are born singers. Just ask a friend to remind you how that tune goes and you'll be stopping them after a few notes. That's … [Read more...] about Domingo at 70 – Iphigénie en Tauride at the Met, and a serenade in the Crush Bar
Anna Anni, costume designer for Orson Welles and Franco Zeffirelli, has died at 84
After designing costumes for two Orson Welles projects in 1953, Anna Anni worked for more than 50 years at the top. Maria Callas, Monserrat Caballè, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Carla … [Read more...] about Anna Anni, costume designer for Orson Welles and Franco Zeffirelli, has died at 84
