'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
Salzburg Festival
Review: Cecilia Bartoli’s sweet, tormented Love Songs in Rimini
Graham Spicer sees Cecilia Bartoli in concert with 'Si dolce è ‘l tormento – Canzoni d’amore', still weaving the Bartoli magic. TitleSi dolce è ‘l tormento – Canzoni d’amoreCompanyCecilia Bartoli … [Read more...] about Review: Cecilia Bartoli’s sweet, tormented Love Songs in Rimini
Interview: Annalisa Stroppa on her God-given voice – the joy, responsibility, emotion… and gratitude.
I talked with Annalisa Stroppa, one of the world's most sought-after mezzosopranos, as she was finishing a run as Carmen at Genoa's Teatro Carlo Felice. She's an attractive woman with a sunny … [Read more...] about Interview: Annalisa Stroppa on her God-given voice – the joy, responsibility, emotion… and gratitude.
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
Juan Diego Flórez releases first album on Florez Records: “Zarzuela”
Juan Diego Flórez releases the first album on his new record label, Florez Records. Zarzuela sees the Peruvian tenor returning to the lyrical genre through which he first approached opera. The project … [Read more...] about Juan Diego Flórez releases first album on Florez Records: “Zarzuela”
[Interview] Rolando Villazón: My enemy was anxiety.
Rolando Villazón works now as a writer, an artistic director, and director, with singing talking a secondary role. “My enemy was anxiety, fragility, and a lack of confidence. It's not a question of … [Read more...] about [Interview] Rolando Villazón: My enemy was anxiety.
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
Tides of Memory: a film by Luisa Mariani inspired by William Kentridge
As the 2020 edition of the International New York Film Festival comes to a close, an Italian entry stands out called Tides of Memory, inspired by an encounter with William Kentridge and his … [Read more...] about Tides of Memory: a film by Luisa Mariani inspired by William Kentridge
Hui He answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
When did you start singing? I always loved to sing since I was a child. I sang on every occasion, also during public events at school, where my maths teacher heard me and advised me to take singing … [Read more...] about Hui He answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Bartoli steps in as Villazón withdraws from closing gala at Salzburg Festival
The closing gala concert at Salzburg’s Whitsun Festival was to have featured the Festival’s director, Cecilia Bartoli, together with tenors Jonas Kaufmann and Rolando Villazón, and the Staatskapelle … [Read more...] about Bartoli steps in as Villazón withdraws from closing gala at Salzburg Festival
Sneak preview: Hänsel and Gretel at La Scala, Milan
Tonight, a new productions of Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hänsel and Gretel opens in Milan at Teatro alla Scala. The cast features opera students from La Scala’s prestigious Academy. This, however, is no … [Read more...] about Sneak preview: Hänsel and Gretel at La Scala, Milan
La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2017 – 2018
A pleasing new season at La Scala seems to tick all the right boxes, with half the programming dedicated to the Italian repertoire, some rarities, important international operas and a world premiere. … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2017 – 2018
14 minutes of applause for Anna Netrebko at La Scala in La traviata [interview and photos]
Anna Netrebko has returned to La Scala to sing Violetta as she sings ‘addio’ to the role. She will sing in a Traviata once more in Paris next February, and then that’s it for the curvy Russian and the … [Read more...] about 14 minutes of applause for Anna Netrebko at La Scala in La traviata [interview and photos]
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
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
Franco Fagioli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? I don't remember exactly when… Why did you start singing? Because it felt good. Which singers inspired you most when you were young? ABBA. Which singer do you … [Read more...] about Franco Fagioli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Damiano Michieletto directs three Salzburg operas in consecutive seasons
On 21 August, Italian director Damiano Michieletto will become the first Italian to stage operas on three consecutive years at the Salzburg Festival. After the success of his La Cenerentola at the … [Read more...] about Damiano Michieletto directs three Salzburg operas in consecutive seasons
Medici.tv gives free access to their entire catalogue on World Music Day
World Music Day is a connected set of free public events which takes place each year on the 21st June, midsummer's day; it's also my birthday, but I don't think that's why it was chosen. Last year … [Read more...] about Medici.tv gives free access to their entire catalogue on World Music Day
Pereira can stay for one season at La Scala: Salburg/Scala letters are published
Milan Mayor, Giuliano Pisapia, who is head of the Board of Directors at La Scala, announced today that they were offering Alexander Pereira only a year's contract as sovrintendente of Milan's Opera … [Read more...] about Pereira can stay for one season at La Scala: Salburg/Scala letters are published
Pereira’s future at La Scala in doubt, but the budget is in order
After a meeting this morning of La Scala's board of directors, the future of Alexander Pereira at Milan's Opera House remains uncertain. Within a week we will make our decision, said Giuliano … [Read more...] about Pereira’s future at La Scala in doubt, but the budget is in order
La Scala’s new boss, Alexander Pereira, clears his name
Italian opera buffs, Milan's Mayor and La Repubblica newspaper were angry and amazed when news from Austria revealed that the Salzburg Festival's current director, Alexander Pereira, was selling seven … [Read more...] about La Scala’s new boss, Alexander Pereira, clears his name
Storm as La Scala’s new boss buys seven of his own Salzburg productions for Milan
The new sovrintendente at La Scala, Alexander Pereira, has bought for his first season with the Milanese theatre, seven productions from the Salzburg Festival, where he is currently playing out his … [Read more...] about Storm as La Scala’s new boss buys seven of his own Salzburg productions for Milan
Alexander Pereira brings Al Gore and an 88-year-old Hungarian to La Scala
The next season at La Scala will see not only new faces in the offices and in the pit - Sovrintendente Alexander Pereira and Musical Director Riccardo Chailly - but also a new direction in the … [Read more...] about Alexander Pereira brings Al Gore and an 88-year-old Hungarian to La Scala
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
Great conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch dies at 89
The conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch died yesterday, 23 February 2013, at the age of 89. He was born in Munich on 26 August 1923. Success came immediately, and he become the youngest conductor to … [Read more...] about Great conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch dies at 89
Soprano Sena Jurinac dies at 90
Sena Jurinac has died in southern Germany at age 90. The Vienna State Opera confirmed the death today, saying it is mourning the loss of a “legendary artist who shaped not only the Vienna State … [Read more...] about Soprano Sena Jurinac dies at 90
The opera world’s Angelina Jolie, Nino Machaidze: It’s useless to be nervous
Nino Machaidze, the 28-year-old soprano from Georgia, graduate of Milan's Teatro alla Scala Academia, is in Los Angeles with Romeo and Juliet which is boomeranging her around the world's opera houses … [Read more...] about The opera world’s Angelina Jolie, Nino Machaidze: It’s useless to be nervous
After 40 years Riccardo Muti says goodbye to Salzburg
Riccardo Muti has decided to stop conducting opera at the Salzburg Festival, he told an Austrian magazine ahead of his 70th birthday on Thursday. Muti has regularly appeared at the prestigious … [Read more...] about After 40 years Riccardo Muti says goodbye to Salzburg
Robin Ticciati is next Glyndebourne music director
British conductor Robin Ticciati is to become Glyndebourne Festival music director from January 2014. The 28-year-old will take over from Vladimir Jurowski, who in 2001, aged 29, became the festival's … [Read more...] about Robin Ticciati is next Glyndebourne music director