The staging of La traviata is the lavish Liliana Cavani production with sets by Dante Ferretti with which Verdi’s masterpiece returned to La Scala in 1990 conducted by Riccardo Muti. It was performed … [Read more...] about Traviata opens tonight at La Scala… here’s a sneak peek
Riccardo Muti
Riccardo Muti’s triumphant return to La Scala
On Friday and Saturday evening, at La Scala, Riccardo Muti made his return to the theatre he dominated for 19 seasons, after having been away for 12 years. He wasn’t conducting the La Scala … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti’s triumphant return to La Scala
Riccardo Muti, Joyce DiDonato and Eric Owens perform for Chicago’s young offenders
On Sept 25 #MaestroMuti visited the Illinois Youth Center in Chicago to share classical music with the young men. pic.twitter.com/w6qqxZ59Sz — Chicago Symphony (@chicagosymphony) September 29, … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti, Joyce DiDonato and Eric Owens perform for Chicago’s young offenders
Joyce DiDonato reveals her Desert Island Discs
Music runs to the very core of mezzosoprano Joyce DiDonato, guest on yesterday’s BBC Radio 4’s long-running and beautifully judged programme, Desert Island Discs. Even if she is tired before a … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato reveals her Desert Island Discs
Riccardo Muti is caught on video during an impromptu concert in a Napoli museum
While Riccardo Muti was visiting the astonishingly beautiful Capodimonte Museum in Naples yesterday - on the first Sunday of the month which offers free entrance to everyone - he was recognised by a … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti is caught on video during an impromptu concert in a Napoli museum
La Scala celebrates Riccardo Muti’s 75th Birthday
Riccardo Muti didn’t leave La Scala under the best conditions when, after a reign as Musical Director of the theatre for twenty years, he was pushed out by his own orchestra. Now, in the year of his … [Read more...] about La Scala celebrates Riccardo Muti’s 75th Birthday
La Scala Recital and Concert Season 2016-2017 – full dates and interpreters
The concert programme includes some of the greatest living conductors. Riccardo Chailly will be on the podium for two evenings of the Symphony Season, Verdi’s Requiem in October, and the concert to … [Read more...] about La Scala Recital and Concert Season 2016-2017 – full dates and interpreters
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 … [Read more...] about Giovanna d’Arco – the background of La Scala’s latest production
Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? I started singing when I was very young, but seriously in 1996, together with literature and music. I was a 17-year-old full of hopes and … [Read more...] about Nicola Alaimo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Frederica von Stade answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? Maybe at 5. Why did you start singing? I always loved to sing anywhere, anytime. Which singer inspired you most when you were young? Gwen Verdon, … [Read more...] about Frederica von Stade answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Marco Berti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? More or less I’ve always sung. First at my local church, then one day my cousin, who sung Ave Marie for weddings, gave me the chance to try and I … [Read more...] about Marco Berti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Frank Lopardo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
When did you start singing? I have been singing singing since I was small boy. However, my first official voice lesson was in September of 1977. The teacher's name is Dr Robert White Jr. I have … [Read more...] about Frank Lopardo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Eleonora Abbagnato becomes director of the Rome Opera Ballet
Eleonora Abbagnato is to become the new director of the Rome Opera Ballet. The official announcement from the Rome Opera's sovrintendente is expected in the next few days. It is known that Rome's … [Read more...] about Eleonora Abbagnato becomes director of the Rome Opera Ballet
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
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
Nikolaus Harnoncourt celebrates his 85th birthday on the podium
The Austrian maestro and period-instrument pioneer received ECHO Klassik's Lifetime Achievement Award this year. He has led his ground-breaking period-instrument ensemble Concentus Musicus Wien for … [Read more...] about Nikolaus Harnoncourt celebrates his 85th birthday on the podium
Daniel Barenboim on ‘his’ Fidelio at La Scala
The opening of La Scala's season on 7 December each year is the most anticipated and often contested event in the international opera calendar. Daniel Barenboim opens the 2014-2015 Opera and Ballet … [Read more...] about Daniel Barenboim on ‘his’ Fidelio at La Scala
Riccardo Muti snubs the Rome Opera Orchestra at Salzburg
So Riccardo Muti will be off to Salzburg next year to conduct Ernani but, unsurprisingly, he will not be in front of the Rome Opera Orchestra, as previously announced, but his Cherubini Youth … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti snubs the Rome Opera Orchestra at Salzburg
Cecilia Bartoli weighs in on the Rome Opera scandal
Cecilia Bartoli has waded into the murky waters of the Rome Opera crisis. Although she hasn't sung in the theatre for years, it is her hometown, and where she started her career. We must find a … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli weighs in on the Rome Opera scandal
Interview with Elīna Garanča: I will sing Amneris
Elīna Garanča has sung in Verdi's Requiem at La Scala and in recital, but never performed in an opera. There was a planned Don Giovanni which she pulled out of when she became pregnant, and an opera … [Read more...] about Interview with Elīna Garanča: I will sing Amneris
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
Anna Caterina Antonacci on collaborations: Abbado, Muti, Pappano… and a disastrous Carmen
Last night, at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Anna Caterina Antonacci finished a long and successful run as Cassandra in Les Troyens. Two years ago she was in a very different situation playing Carmen at … [Read more...] about Anna Caterina Antonacci on collaborations: Abbado, Muti, Pappano… and a disastrous Carmen
Rome Opera to close? Muti to leave? Netrebko & Manon cancelled?
More chaos at Rome Opera which is struggling to overcome its grave economic woes, yet Riccardo Muti, his daughter Chiara Muti who is directing a new production of Manon Lescaut for the theatre, and … [Read more...] about Rome Opera to close? Muti to leave? Netrebko & Manon cancelled?
Ambrogio Maestri answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
versione in italiano Q&A When did you start singing? When I was 9. Why did you start singing? I was studying piano, and the transition was natural. Which singer inspired you most when you … [Read more...] about Ambrogio Maestri answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Ambrogio Maestri risponde al Gramilano Questionario… Italian Edition
English version Q&A Quando hai iniziato a cantare? A 9 anni. Perché hai iniziato a cantare? Studiando pianoforte, il passaggio è stato naturale. Quale cantante ti ha più … [Read more...] about Ambrogio Maestri risponde al Gramilano Questionario… Italian Edition
Muti shocked, Zakharova cancels: strikes and budget disaster at Rome Opera
Carlo Fuortes, the new director of Rome Opera, has a difficult path ahead of him. During the first few months of his leadership he must guide the company out of its present disastrous economic … [Read more...] about Muti shocked, Zakharova cancels: strikes and budget disaster at Rome Opera
Riccardo Muti’s Ernani cancelled amid chaos at Rome Opera
After yesterday's meeting between unions and Rome City Council at Campidoglio, a union representative said that there was "zero chance that Ernani would go ahead, either for 27 November [the opening … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti’s Ernani cancelled amid chaos at Rome Opera
Riccardo Chailly is La Scala’s next musical director
Good news for the La Scala public: Riccardo Chailly will be the next musical director after Daniel Barenboim. He is a conductor whom singers love, and he loves singers, not afraid to 'accompany' when … [Read more...] about Riccardo Chailly is La Scala’s next musical director
Desirée Rancatore answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
versione in italiano Q&A When did you start singing? When I was 16, with my mother! I had been learning the violin, but without much enthusiasm. Why did you start singing? I was … [Read more...] about Desirée Rancatore answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Desirée Rancatore risponde al Gramilano Questionario… Italian Edition
English version Q&A Quando hai iniziato a cantare? Quando avevo 16 anni con mia mamma!! Studiavo il violino, ma senza passione... Perché hai iniziato a cantare? Ero in … [Read more...] about Desirée Rancatore risponde al Gramilano Questionario… Italian Edition