Tenor Dave Monaco chats with Graham Spicer about his journey to becoming one of today’s most sought-after Rossini and Mozart singers. Dave Monaco just turned 30, and his career is flourishing. He … [Read more...] about Interview: Tenor Dave Monaco, at 30, reflects on his journey to becoming one of the world’s most exciting opera singers.
Rossini
Review: Norwegian National Opera’s Barber of Seville
Graham Watts sees Il barbiere di Siviglia with the Norwegian National Opera and Alasdair Kent (a mesmerising performance), Lilly Jørstad (great beauty and clarity of tone), and Gurgen Baveyen … [Read more...] about Review: Norwegian National Opera’s Barber of Seville
The Rossini Opera Festival 2026 is announced
The 47th edition of the Rossini Opera Festival will be held in Pesaro from 11 to 23 August 2026. The Festival opens with a new production of Le Siège de Corinthe, conducted by Carlo Rizzi and … [Read more...] about The Rossini Opera Festival 2026 is announced
Cecilia Bartoli announces opera and ballet for Salzburg Whitsun Festival 2026
'Travel' is the theme chosen by Artistic Director Cecilia Bartoli for the Salzburg Whitsun Festival 2026, which runs from 22 to 25 May. After the city-themed festivals of recent years, when select … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli announces opera and ballet for Salzburg Whitsun Festival 2026
Review: Astana Opera’s production of Rossini’s La scala di seta
Graham Watts sees La scala di seta (The Silken Ladder) in Kazakhstan – a performance of unbridled joy. TitleLa scala di setaCompanyAstana OperaVenueKulyash Baiseitova Chamber Hall, Astana, … [Read more...] about Review: Astana Opera’s production of Rossini’s La scala di seta
Cecilia Bartoli in Rimini with the tormented love of the great composers
Sunday 28 September sees the return of Cecilia Bartoli to the Teatro Galli in Rimini for the Sagra Musicale Malatestiana. The history of Rimini’s Teatro Galli is inextricably linked to Bartoli, … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli in Rimini with the tormented love of the great composers
Countertenor Franco Fagioli’s new album – The Last Castrato, Arias for Velluti
Franco Fagioli will give a recital at Teatro San Carlo in Naples on 30 January, with a programme dedicated to his new album, which will be released on 28 February. The last castrato, Arias for … [Read more...] about Countertenor Franco Fagioli’s new album – The Last Castrato, Arias for Velluti
Rossini Opera Festival announces 2025 programme after this year’s opening performance
After last night's opening opera at the Rossini Opera Festival with Bianca e Falliero (Starring Jessica Pratt and Aya Wakizono) and before tonight's presentation of the season's second opera, … [Read more...] about Rossini Opera Festival announces 2025 programme after this year’s opening performance
Rossini Opera Festival 2024 presented in New York
The Rossini Opera Festival 2024 (the 45th edition), to be held in Pesaro from 7 to 23 August, was presented at the Italian Consulate in New York with speakers including the Intendant Ernesto Palacio … [Read more...] about Rossini Opera Festival 2024 presented in New York
Rossini Opera Festival 2024
The Petite messe solennelle conducted by Michele Mariotti closed the 44th edition of the Rossini Opera Festival. There were 40 events on the programme, including performances and meetings. This … [Read more...] about Rossini Opera Festival 2024
Juan Diego Flórez interview: my 25 years with Rossini
Twenty-five years ago, Gramilano met a young Peruvian tenor in Milan. He was on his way to sing a small role in 'Ricciardo e Zoraide' at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro and was bright-eyed with … [Read more...] about Juan Diego Flórez interview: my 25 years with Rossini
[Interview] Michael Spyres and Lawrence Brownlee on their new Rossini album
Tenors Michael Spyres and Lawrence Brownlee celebrate the star singers of Rossini’s time in a new album, Amici e Rivali (Friends and Rivals). The disc features arias, duets, and trios from seven of … [Read more...] about [Interview] Michael Spyres and Lawrence Brownlee on their new Rossini album
Salzburg, L’italiana in Algeri – the role Cecilia Bartoli was born to play
Cecilia Bartoli was made to sing Isabella. Rossini wrote L’italiana in Algeri 200 years ago, but he could have been thinking of her. She waited until she was 50 to sing the role, though having pushed … [Read more...] about Salzburg, L’italiana in Algeri – the role Cecilia Bartoli was born to play
Gioachino Rossini at La Scala – a new exhibition, 150 years after the composer’s death
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 event. La … [Read more...] about Gioachino Rossini at La Scala – a new exhibition, 150 years after the composer’s death
Interview with Riccardo Chailly on Andrea Chénier and his 40 years at La Scala
Chénier is not only a masterpiece of verismo, but it mirrors many contrasting aspects that preceded the music of the 20th century: there’s Wagner, with echoes of the prelude of Tristan; there is … [Read more...] about Interview with Riccardo Chailly on Andrea Chénier and his 40 years at La Scala
Rossini’s Otello is back at La Scala after 145 years
After 145 years, Rossini’s Otello is back at La Scala. Incredibly, it hasn’t been performed at the theatre since 1870. A welcome return then for Rossini’s take on Shakespeare’s story, which he and his … [Read more...] about Rossini’s Otello is back at La Scala after 145 years
The Stella of Kansas goes to Naples: Joyce DiDonato’s latest album
Joyce DiDonato's new album, Stella di Napoli, is out in September and "ventures far off the beaten bel canto track", says her Erato label. Graciously, Cecilia Bartoli is nominated because, as … [Read more...] about The Stella of Kansas goes to Naples: Joyce DiDonato’s latest album
Cecilia Bartoli’s début in L’italiana in Algeri is cancelled
Cecilia Bartoli's much anticipated début as Isabella in L'italiana in Algeri this weekend has been cancelled. The Italian girl in Dortmund, where the concert performance of Rossini's opera was … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli’s début in L’italiana in Algeri is cancelled
Fiorenza Cossotto receives the Marietta Alboni award
Mezzo soprano Fiorenza Cossotto has been awarded the first Contr’alto di donna prize, given in honour of the great contralto Marietta Alboni. The ceremony and conversation with Fiorenza Cossotto came … [Read more...] about Fiorenza Cossotto receives the Marietta Alboni award
Teresa Berganza’s 80th birthday bash
Tomorrow evening, 21 June 2013, the Teatro Real in Madrid celebrates the 80th birthday of local girl Teresa Berganza. Certainly, the encyclopedias say that she was born in 1935, but she can hardly … [Read more...] about Teresa Berganza’s 80th birthday bash
Joyce DiDonato’s recital interrupted by a call from Rossini
Joyce DiDonato well and truly conquered La Scala's audience during her recital last night. She was greeted by an ovation that took her aback - the sort of applause reserved for a Marilyn Horne or … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato’s recital interrupted by a call from Rossini
New records set at Cecilia Bartoli’s Whitsun Festival in Salzburg
A new record for visitors and revenue has been set at Salzburg's Whitsun Festival. The Festival, which ran from 17-20 May, boasted 13,450 visitors from 43 countries, who spent 1.3 million Euros in … [Read more...] about New records set at Cecilia Bartoli’s Whitsun Festival in Salzburg
Cecilia Bartoli triumphs at La Scala amidst catcalls and boos
After nineteen years, Cecilia Bartoli's return to Milan's La Scala tonight was long overdue. Daniel Barenboim was the instigator of the event, the opening of the La Scala Philharmonic's season. An … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli triumphs at La Scala amidst catcalls and boos
Cecilia Bartoli rehearses with Daniel Barenboim at La Scala for her comeback concert tomorrow
As I write, Cecilia Bartoli is rehearsing with Daniel Barenboim and the La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra in the Milanese theatre. Tomorrow marks her comeback to the theatre after an absence of nearly … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli rehearses with Daniel Barenboim at La Scala for her comeback concert tomorrow
Cecilia Bartoli on her voice, her repertoire, on turning down Carmen and facing up to Norma
Cecilia Bartoli's been busy: not only getting ready for her new tour featuring the extraordinarily difficult arias by Agostino Steffani that are featured on her new CD Mission, but also doing the … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli on her voice, her repertoire, on turning down Carmen and facing up to Norma
Restaurants of Ghent, Brussels and Mechelen during Flanders is a Festival
This is not a food blog, but as food has, in some way, influenced every dancer, musician, actor, and for that matter everyone else on the planet, I though I could squeeze it in. Food had a profound … [Read more...] about Restaurants of Ghent, Brussels and Mechelen during Flanders is a Festival
Juan Diego Flórez on his future, his family, his colleagues, and the economic crisis
To coincide with his Pesaro appearances this year, Juan Diego Flórez talked with Italy's Il Corriere della Sera. It was at Pesaro's Rossini Opera Festival in 1996 that the young Peruvian suddenly … [Read more...] about Juan Diego Flórez on his future, his family, his colleagues, and the economic crisis
Juan Diego Florez talks about his fairy-tale wedding, his fans, and being lazy
On the eve of Juan Diego Florez's Albert Hall concert, The Sunday Times sent a journalist to his home in Pesaro. This beautiful town on Italy's east coast - home to the Rossini Opera Festival, and … [Read more...] about Juan Diego Florez talks about his fairy-tale wedding, his fans, and being lazy
Daniela Barcellona at La Scala: big girls can be sexy too!
To those who have witnessed Daniela Barcellona only on the operatic stage, it may come as a surprise to learn that she is a convincing and elegant artist on the recital platform. All images of … [Read more...] about Daniela Barcellona at La Scala: big girls can be sexy too!
Cecilia Bartoli takes a ship to join Valery Gergiev in St Petersburg
Yesterday, before Cecilia Bartoli's highly anticipated concert at the Mariinsky Theater Concert Hall in St Peterburg tomorrow evening, she gave a press conference alongside Valery Gergiev who will … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli takes a ship to join Valery Gergiev in St Petersburg