The 2023-2024 Opera Season of the Teatro alla Scala will present 14 productions, 10 of which are new: 2 operas by Giuseppe Verdi and 2 by Giacomo Puccini, and one opera each by Antonio Cesti, Luigi … [Read more...] about La Scala Opera Season 2023-2024
Tullio Serafin
Remembering the conductor Tullio Serafin, fifty years after his death
Fifty years ago today, on 3 October 1968, Tullio Serafin died in Rome. In a long career he conducted singers from Caruso to Pavarotti. He was born near Venice in 1878, but when he was 11 the family … [Read more...] about Remembering the conductor Tullio Serafin, fifty years after his death
A first listen to the new Maria Callas Live: Remastered Live Recordings 1949-1964
More than a gift to their own coffers, Warner Classics in releasing Maria Callas Live is giving fans of La Divina and lovers of opera a meticulously restored collection of some of her finest … [Read more...] about A first listen to the new Maria Callas Live: Remastered Live Recordings 1949-1964
Maria Callas was a tenor
In a bizarre muddle-up by someone at the Verona Sera online news service, a headline stated that 2 August was the 70th Anniversary of ‘tenor’ Maria Callas’s debut at the Verona Arena. Part of a … [Read more...] about Maria Callas was a tenor
Interview with Virginia Zeani at 90 “My brain believes that I’m eternally young”
Inside I feel 50, outside I feel 70, and my brain believes that I’m eternally young. But on 21 October the great soprano Virginia Zeani will be 90. Naturally, many of my friends are dead. It’s … [Read more...] about Interview with Virginia Zeani at 90 “My brain believes that I’m eternally young”
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
Newly discovered letters by Maria Callas on the eve of her Norma début
On 13 May a group of letters written by Maria Callas to her teacher Elvira de Hidalgo will go under the hammer. Callas auditioned for de Hidalgo - herself a famous coloratura soprano - in Greece in … [Read more...] about Newly discovered letters by Maria Callas on the eve of her Norma début
Will the real Maria Callas please stand up
Anthony Tommasini, critic for the New York Times, has some very interesting points to make about the real Maria Callas, and Terrence McNally's fictional one, currently to be see on Broadway … [Read more...] about Will the real Maria Callas please stand up
