Last night English National Opera in London had in American baritone Weston Hurt, a new Rigoletto. Born without a right hand, Hurt is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities, … [Read more...] about Interview: Weston Hurt – the baritone with a limb difference – makes his debut with English National Opera as Rigoletto
Rigoletto
Books: Amici della Scala celebrates Italy’s theatre designers – Luciano Damiani, Anna Anni, Gabriella Pescucci, Franca Squarciapino, Luisa Spinatelli
For over twenty years, the association Amici della Scala (Friends of La Scala) has produced books dedicated to the set and costume designers who have worked in Milan’s opera house. Since 2002 there … [Read more...] about Books: Amici della Scala celebrates Italy’s theatre designers – Luciano Damiani, Anna Anni, Gabriella Pescucci, Franca Squarciapino, Luisa Spinatelli
Royal Opera House Stream goes live with 130 titles
The Royal Opera House has launched a streaming service that offers 45 performances from The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera’s archives. Together with these are also 85 behind-the-scenes features, … [Read more...] about Royal Opera House Stream goes live with 130 titles
New Rigoletto brings boos back to La Scala
Mario Martone’s new production of Rigoletto at La Scala divided the public on the opening night. The 62-year-old Neapolitan film director has also directed many theatre productions and over the last … [Read more...] about New Rigoletto brings boos back to La Scala
[Interview] “Me and my voice” American tenor Michael Fabiano on music and other passions
American tenor Michael Fabiano will make an important role debut and house debut on 22 March when he sings Calaf in Turandot at the Rome Opera. “I’ve been preparing it for years,” he told me. “Many … [Read more...] about [Interview] “Me and my voice” American tenor Michael Fabiano on music and other passions
The play Quartet and the Giuseppe Verdi Rest Home, both in Milan
The Casa di Riposo per Musicisti (Rest Home for Musicians) in Milan is known simply as Casa Verdi (The Verdi Home) and, although Giuseppe Verdi never lived there, his body is buried there, together … [Read more...] about The play Quartet and the Giuseppe Verdi Rest Home, both in Milan
Aged 97, Franco Zeffirelli will stage a new production of Rigoletto
At 95, Franco Zeffirelli is returning to the opera house to direct a new production of Rigoletto. The opera will open in September 2020 at the Royal Opera House in Muscat when the Zeffirelli will be … [Read more...] about Aged 97, Franco Zeffirelli will stage a new production of Rigoletto
George Gagnidze answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? When I was 13 or 14 I started singing Georgian and Russian folk songs with my sister who was played the piano. Why did you start singing? My father … [Read more...] about George Gagnidze answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Luciano Pavarotti, 10 years after his death, celebrated in exclusive photos from the La Scala archives
Luciano Pavarotti died ten years ago today, on 6 September 2007. Teatro alla Scala continually welcomed the great tenor to its stage for almost three decades, from 1965 until 1992. At the Milanese … [Read more...] about Luciano Pavarotti, 10 years after his death, celebrated in exclusive photos from the La Scala archives
Renata Scotto on her childhood, her musical beginnings and her debut in Traviata at 18
Renata Scotto has been made an honorary citizen of Tovo San Giacomo, a small town near the Ligurian coast, in the Province of Savona — just a few kilometres from where I happen to be writing this … [Read more...] about Renata Scotto on her childhood, her musical beginnings and her debut in Traviata at 18
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
Barbara Frittoli at La Scala: odd but nice
When the line up for a recital is a soprano, pianist and clarinetist one would assume that at a certain point all three would perform together. Not at La Scala when Barbara Frittoli gave her scheduled … [Read more...] about Barbara Frittoli at La Scala: odd but nice
Beppe Menegatti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Directors’ Edition
Q&A When did you first go to the theatre? To see Rigoletto at the Teatro Comunale in Florence on 10 October 1939 for my tenth birthday, with Gino Bechi, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Lina Aimaro and … [Read more...] about Beppe Menegatti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Directors’ Edition
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’
Tenor Vincenzo La Scola dies at 53
Vincenzo La Scola, an Italian tenor known internationally as both an opera singer and a crossover artist, died on April 15 in Turkey, where he was giving a master class, from a heart attack. He was … [Read more...] about Tenor Vincenzo La Scola dies at 53
Franz Liszt (or rather Liszt Ferenc as we must learn to call him) invented the “recital” in Milan at La Scala
Therefore it was appropriate for Italian pianist Gregorio Nardi to give a Liszt recital in Milan as part of the bicentenary celebrations of the composer's birth. Liszt's original invention of a … [Read more...] about Franz Liszt (or rather Liszt Ferenc as we must learn to call him) invented the “recital” in Milan at La Scala