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Riccardo Chailly

Franco Zeffirelli – The La Scala Years: an exhibition in Milan

14 January 2023 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Otello 1976 photo by Erio Piccagliani 01

Franco Zeffirelli was born in Florence on 12 January 1923. Teatro alla Scala anticipates the celebration of the great director's centenary with the exhibition “Franco Zeffirelli - The La Scala Years" … [Read more...] about Franco Zeffirelli – The La Scala Years: an exhibition in Milan

Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov on Boris Godunov, his 89th performance at La Scala

6 December 2022 by Gramilano 7 Comments

09 - Scenes from a rehearsal of Boris Godunov at La Scala on 11 November 2022, photo by Brescia e Amisano crop

The Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov will be Boris Godunov for the opening of Milan’s opera season on 7 December 2022. It will be Abdrazakov’s 89th appearance on La Scala’s stage and his seventh time … [Read more...] about Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov on Boris Godunov, his 89th performance at La Scala

Riccardo Chailly stops orchestra and chorus after mobile phone rings

7 June 2022 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Riccardo Chailly Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala - photo by Brescia e Amisano

Yesterday evening, during a concert at La Scala, Riccardo Chailly stopped the entire orchestra and chorus after a phone rang. The Teatro alla Scala Orchestra and Chorus were performing the moving … [Read more...] about Riccardo Chailly stops orchestra and chorus after mobile phone rings

Anna Netrebko cancels Adriana Lecouvreur performances at La Scala

1 March 2022 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Anna Netrebko at La Scala-05

La Scala finds itself scrambling to find a conductor for the remaining performances of The Queen of Spades from 4 March after Valery Gergiev refused to denounce the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and … [Read more...] about Anna Netrebko cancels Adriana Lecouvreur performances at La Scala

La Scala’s Macbeth – comments and photo album

8 December 2021 by Gramilano 3 Comments

5 - Macbeth, 7 December 2021, photo by Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala

Macbeth, which opened the opera season at La Scala on 7 December, was watched by 10.5% of Italians who were watching the television, equivalent to 2,640,000 people. Italy's President, Sergio … [Read more...] about La Scala’s Macbeth – comments and photo album

Riccardo Muti Italian Opera Academy ruffles La Scala’s feathers

5 December 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Fondazione Prada - Riccardo Muti - photo by Niccolo Quaresima

On the same day that La Scala opened its doors for a preview performance of the new production of Macbeth that will open its season on 7 December, the Prada Foundation in Milan welcomed Riccardo Muti … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti Italian Opera Academy ruffles La Scala’s feathers

La Scala 2021-2022 Opera Season and new philosophy

31 May 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Irina Brook

Despite the interruptions imposed by lockdowns and outbreaks of disease during the Season 2020-2021 La Scala managed to put on over 100 performances. The various closures also gave the theatre’s … [Read more...] about La Scala 2021-2022 Opera Season and new philosophy

Sparks fly at La Scala between conductors Muti and Chailly

12 May 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Riccardo Muti and the Vienna Philharmonic, photo by © Silvia Lelli_05

Riccardo vs Riccardo. One is the theatre's former music director Riccardo Muti, who last night concluded the Vienna Philharmonic's mini Italian tour at La Scala on the 75th anniversary of the … [Read more...] about Sparks fly at La Scala between conductors Muti and Chailly

Concert to mark 75th anniversary of La Scala’s reopening [streaming]

11 May 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Reopening concert, photos by Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala

Yesterday, after 199 days, La Scala reopened its doors to the public with a concert by its Orchestra and Chorus. 500 spectators (normal capacity, 2,000) occupied the boxes and galleries with the … [Read more...] about Concert to mark 75th anniversary of La Scala’s reopening [streaming]

Riccardo Chailly confirmed as La Scala’s Musical Director until 2025

15 March 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Chailly and Meyer, 15 marzo 2021, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala

La Scala's Board of Directors met today and accepted the proposal by Intendent and Artistic Director Dominique Meyer to extend Riccardo Chailly's engagement as Music Director until 2025. Chailly, … [Read more...] about Riccardo Chailly confirmed as La Scala’s Musical Director until 2025

Riccardo Chailly and Irina Brook bring Brecht and Weill back to La Scala

15 March 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Lindsey Kate, photo by Rosetta Greek

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

Zubin Mehta leaves hospital – Riccardo Chailly will replace him at La Scala

15 February 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Riccardo Chailly and Zubin Mehta © Brescia Amisano, Teatro alla Scala - 01

La Scala has announced that Zubin Mehta was discharged from the hospital this afternoon in good health. However, the fatigue of the past few days means that he needs a few days' rest as a … [Read more...] about Zubin Mehta leaves hospital – Riccardo Chailly will replace him at La Scala

Dominique Meyer, La Scala’s CEO, on going green and new digitalisation projects

23 January 2021 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Così fan tutte, photo by Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala 2021

Dominique Meyer became La Scala’s CEO on 1 March 2020, just a couple of days before the first closure of Italian theatres. While the theatre has been closed, he’s been preparing not only for the … [Read more...] about Dominique Meyer, La Scala’s CEO, on going green and new digitalisation projects

La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December

25 November 2020 by Gramilano 7 Comments

La Scala 7 December 2020

Despite coronavirus restrictions, La Scala will celebrate the opening of its season 2020-2021 – however long or short it may be – on 7 December, the feast of Saint Ambrose, Milan’s saint’s day. The … [Read more...] about La Scala welcomes back its stars – season opening 7 December

With Milan under curfew, Jonas Kaufmann sings La Scala programme without pause

23 October 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Jonas Kaufmann and Helmut Deutsch, photo by Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala 2020 -01

The curfew which was introduced in parts of Italy yesterday to combat the rising rate of coronavirus infections started at 11pm. While it is possible to return from a theatre after this time, it is … [Read more...] about With Milan under curfew, Jonas Kaufmann sings La Scala programme without pause

Aida suspended as entire La Scala company sent home in quarantine

19 October 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Jonas Kaufmann

After tenor Francesco Meli tested positive for Covid-19 and was substituted yesterday by Jonas Kaufmann, La  Scala arranged for the whole Aida cast to be tested. The first of the swab tests was … [Read more...] about Aida suspended as entire La Scala company sent home in quarantine

Jonas Kaufmann steps in at La Scala as tenor Francesco Meli tests positive for coronavirus

19 October 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Francesco Meli with Giulio Zappa © Marco Brescia, Teatro alla Scala 2020

Tenor Francesco Meli has tested positive for coronavirus, though he is asymptomatic. Tonight's last concert performance of Aida at La Scala should have seen Meli as Radamès, instead the role will … [Read more...] about Jonas Kaufmann steps in at La Scala as tenor Francesco Meli tests positive for coronavirus

[VIDEO] La Scala’s latest interviews with Roberto Bolle and Juan Diego Flórez

27 May 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dominique Meyer talks to Roberto Bolle

Milan’s La Scala may be closed, but the theatre’s Digital Department is still working hard. Five weeks ago, Dominique Meyer, the theatre’s new intendant, started a series of interviews with artists … [Read more...] about [VIDEO] La Scala’s latest interviews with Roberto Bolle and Juan Diego Flórez

Riccardo Chailly on life in the time of the coronavirus

7 April 2020 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Riccardo Chailly, photo by Brescia e Amisano © Teatro alla Scala

My wife and I have spent our lives travelling and usually we've returned home exhausted by the weight of our bags full of books and music we'd bought. I could only glance at part of this vast library … [Read more...] about Riccardo Chailly on life in the time of the coronavirus

La Scala and all Italian theatres closed until 3 April – a tenor tests positive for the coronavirus

4 March 2020 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Teatro alla Scala

The hoped-for reopening of La Scala after the closure of all theatres and cinemas in northern Italy has been setback after a tenor working in the theatre tested positive for the coronavirus. He was … [Read more...] about La Scala and all Italian theatres closed until 3 April – a tenor tests positive for the coronavirus

Interview with Anna Netrebko on Tosca at La Scala: kissing, killing, and Kabaivanska

2 December 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Anna Netrebko, photo by Ruven Afanador

Anna Netrebko opens the new season at La Scala – as each year, on 7 December – as Tosca. It will be her fourth time in what is always a prestigious occasion (Italy’s President and other dignitaries … [Read more...] about Interview with Anna Netrebko on Tosca at La Scala: kissing, killing, and Kabaivanska

Verdi’s I masnadieri at La Scala is dark and wonderful in David McVicar’s exciting production

20 July 2019 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

07 I masnadieri, Fabio Sartori, photo Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2019

David McVicar’s new production of I masnadieri (The Robbers) for La Scala features a monumental set by Charles Edwards which is modified during the opera, but largely remains the same, so there is a … [Read more...] about Verdi’s I masnadieri at La Scala is dark and wonderful in David McVicar’s exciting production

“Don’t abandon me” – Cecilia Bartoli cancels three operas at La Scala

22 June 2019 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Cecilia Bartoli and Alexander Pereira announce the Handel opera project © Marco Brescia, Teatro alla Scala 2018

A series of emails between Cecilia Bartoli’s husband, Oliver Widmer, and the Intendant of La Scala, Alexander Pereira, confirm that the singer has withdrawn from all three Handel operas that were … [Read more...] about “Don’t abandon me” – Cecilia Bartoli cancels three operas at La Scala

La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2019 – 2020

27 May 2019 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Teatro alla Scala 01

After Riccardo Chailly opens the season with Tosca, continuing the cycle of works by Puccini, he will conduct his first Strauss opera, as well as the complete Beethoven symphonies. Zubin Mehta will … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2019 – 2020

Photo Album: first look at La Scala’s new Attila with Ildar Abdrazakov

30 November 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Attila, Teatro alla Scala with Ildar Abdrazakov photo Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 2018 01

Attila opens La Scala’s 2018-2019 Season and runs from 11 December 2018 to 8 January 2019. CREATIVE TEAM Conductor - Riccardo Chailly Staging - Davide Livermore Sets - Giò Forma Costumes - Gianluca … [Read more...] about Photo Album: first look at La Scala’s new Attila with Ildar Abdrazakov

La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019

30 May 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Teatro alla Scala

OPERA SEASON 2018 - 2019 La Scala announced its 2018-2019 Opera season today with 15 titles, nine of which are new productions, and two are La Scala premieres. At the heart of the season remains the … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019

Cecilia Bartoli Baroque Project announced at La Scala – Giulio Cesare, Semele, Ariodante

24 May 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Cecilia Bartoli with Alexander Pereira © Marco Brescia,  Teatro alla Scala 2018

Today, La Scala announced a project to widen the knowledge and appreciation of Baroque music, in a country that has produced so much, yet now often overlooks a genre that is booming in other parts of … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli Baroque Project announced at La Scala – Giulio Cesare, Semele, Ariodante

Photo Album: First look at La Scala’s new Don Pasquale

2 April 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Don Pasquale with Rosa Feola © Brescia e Armisano, Teatro alla Scala 2018 06

Davide Livermore's new production of Don Pasquale for Teatro alla Scala opens tomorrow night, 3 April, and the premiere will be live broadcast on RAI-Radio 3. The performance on 19 April will be … [Read more...] about Photo Album: First look at La Scala’s new Don Pasquale

Gioachino Rossini at La Scala – a new exhibition, 150 years after the composer’s death

27 February 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

PONNELLE ITALIANA IN ALGERI photo

Gioachino Rossini died in France on 13 November 1868. For the 150th Anniversary of the composer’s death director and designer Pier Luigi Pizzi will curate an exhibition to commemorate the … [Read more...] about Gioachino Rossini at La Scala – a new exhibition, 150 years after the composer’s death

More than 10% tune in to see Andrea Chénier live from La Scala

8 December 2017 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Andrea Chénier © Brescia e Amisano,Teatro alla Scala 2017 03

11,1% of Italy's viewing public tuned in to watch Andrea Chénier transmitted yesterday evening, live from La Scala. 2,077,000 viewers followed the production, with over 11 million people watching … [Read more...] about More than 10% tune in to see Andrea Chénier live from La Scala

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Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

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GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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