Italian tenor Francesco Meli has a lot to celebrate. Last weekend he sang his last performance as Riccardo in Un ballo in maschera at La Scala – it is his 20th role at La Scala and this year also … [Read more...] about [Interview] Tenor Francesco Meli – 20 years of “not taking anything for granted”
Riccardo Muti
Riccardo Muti Italian Opera Academy ruffles La Scala’s feathers
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
Prima Verdi – tenor Francesco Meli’s solo recording debut
Prima Verdi is tenor Francesco Meli’s solo recording debut. He is accompanied by the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino conducted by Marco Armiliato. Meli says, This album is a … [Read more...] about Prima Verdi – tenor Francesco Meli’s solo recording debut
Riccardo Muti interview, part two: Pavarotti, communication, politics and music’s meaning
Riccardo Muti interview for his 80th birthday, part two You don't work for success, or the amount of applause and number of newspaper articles; you do it because you understand that our profession … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti interview, part two: Pavarotti, communication, politics and music’s meaning
Riccardo Muti interview: life, death, and the lack of seriousness
On the eve of his 80th birthday on 28 July, Riccardo Muti gave an exceptionally long interview to the Corriere della Sera’s Aldo Cazzullo. Here are some highlights. I'm tired of life, because this … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti interview: life, death, and the lack of seriousness
Italy mourns the death of opera director Graham Vick at 67
Italy mourns the loss of the opera director Graham Vick who died today at 67 of Covid-related complications. Vick worked extensively in Italy and the Teatro Fenice in Venice, the Macerata Opera … [Read more...] about Italy mourns the death of opera director Graham Vick at 67
Luciana Novaro, Italian ballerina who danced with Massine and Lifar, dies at 98
Luciana Novaro, a hugely important figure in Italian ballet, died on 26 May at 98. Her passing was unfortunately overshadowed by the death several hours later of the ballerina Carla Fracci, her friend … [Read more...] about Luciana Novaro, Italian ballerina who danced with Massine and Lifar, dies at 98
Sparks fly at La Scala between conductors Muti and Chailly
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
Arena Opera Festival in Verona confirms the 2021 summer programme
The Arena Opera Festival has confirmed the dates, operas, and stellar casts as originally scheduled, starting with the return of Riccardo Muti, 41 years after his only appearance on the Arena’s … [Read more...] about Arena Opera Festival in Verona confirms the 2021 summer programme
Free streaming of Così fan tutte with Riccardo Muti from Turin
Tonight, Thursday 11 March at 8pm CET the Teatro Regio in Turin streams Riccardo Muti (who is appearing for the first time at the theatre) conducting Così fan tutte. His daughter, Chiara Muti, is … [Read more...] about Free streaming of Così fan tutte with Riccardo Muti from Turin
From the Vienna Phil to the MET management: the world is watching
In an open letter, Daniel Froschauer, head of the Vienna Philharmonic, wrote, The world is watching. 30% of the members of the MET Orchestra can no longer sustain a living in New York City due to … [Read more...] about From the Vienna Phil to the MET management: the world is watching
Dominique Meyer, La Scala’s CEO, on going green and new digitalisation projects
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
Free streaming of a new performance of Così fan tutte from La Scala
On Saturday 23 January, Mozart's Così fan tutte will be streamed from Teatro alla Scala, Milan. Since the 28 December, La Scala has been rehearsing Così fan tutte for a recording in the theatre … [Read more...] about Free streaming of a new performance of Così fan tutte from La Scala
[Interview] Cecilia Bartoli: Baroque music is for the soul
Why is Baroque music so popular? Baroque music is for the soul, connected to a period when there was great freedom of expression, which today we’ve lost. There is an aspect of Baroque music that … [Read more...] about [Interview] Cecilia Bartoli: Baroque music is for the soul
[Interview] Riccardo Muti: a Vienna New Year’s Concert full of meaning
One hundred countries will transmit today's Vienna’s New Year’s Concert, but it will be without an audience for the first time. Riccardo Muti, who has always taken a more solemn approach to conducting … [Read more...] about [Interview] Riccardo Muti: a Vienna New Year’s Concert full of meaning
La Scala records the last artists for tonight’s opening gala
Yesterday Roberto Alagna, Aleksandra Kurzak and Lisette Oropesa recorded their sections of tonight's opening gala at La Scala (5pm CET) and today Camilla Nylund, Andreas Schager, Francesco Meli and … [Read more...] about La Scala records the last artists for tonight’s opening gala
Mirella Freni’s voice will open La Scala’s gala for its new season
There will not be 24, but now 25 voices in La Scala’s gala to open its 2020-2021 season A riveder le stelle (Seeing the Stars Again). On 7 December, the video introducing the evening will feature the … [Read more...] about Mirella Freni’s voice will open La Scala’s gala for its new season
Italian theatre closures: an appeal from Riccardo Muti
Dear President Conte, While I understand your difficult responsibilities in this long and tragic period for our country, and with the paramount necessity to safeguard the health of our fellow … [Read more...] about Italian theatre closures: an appeal from Riccardo Muti
[Interview] Riccardo Muti on life with the coronavirus, music and the future
“If we continue to be unjust, God will take away our music." I want reassurances about what’s being done, not what will be done. I don't want to hear about the future. There are people who don't … [Read more...] about [Interview] Riccardo Muti on life with the coronavirus, music and the future
Federico Longhi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? When I was 6, in the chorus of my hometown in the Valle d’Aosta. A lady in my parish, Rita, invited me to sing and I was so happy... I looked forward to the … [Read more...] about Federico Longhi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
