On 2 January, Luciano Ganci ends his run of five performances as Don Alvaro in La forza del destino, the opening opera of the season at Teatro alla Scala. His Leonora so far has been Anna Netrebko, … [Read more...] about Interview: Tenor Luciano Ganci on La forza del destino at La Scala
Verdi
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
[Interview] Riccardo Frizza conducts the Verdi Requiem on the 150th anniversary of Manzoni’s death
Alessandro Manzoni died in Milan on 22 May 1873, 150 years ago. The Milanese poet, novelist and philosopher is famous for his novel I promessi sposi (The Betrothed, 1827), which is full of … [Read more...] about [Interview] Riccardo Frizza conducts the Verdi Requiem on the 150th anniversary of Manzoni’s death
[Interview] Conductor Henrik Nánási – immersing himself in the music
The Hungarian conductor Henrik Nánási will be conducting Rusalka at the Bayerische Staatsoper from 14 May, but his international career, and wide-ranging repertoire, will soon see him taking off … [Read more...] about [Interview] Conductor Henrik Nánási – immersing himself in the music
[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
Riccardo Muti interview: life, death, and the lack of seriousness
On the eve of his 80th birthday on 28 July, Riccardo Muti gave an exceptionally long interview to the Corriere della Sera’s Aldo Cazzullo. Here are some highlights. I'm tired of life, because this … [Read more...] about Riccardo Muti interview: life, death, and the lack of seriousness
La Scala would lose €50,000 a day if it reopened
La Scala would lose €50,000 a day if it reopened, complying with the social distancing guidelines imposed by the law passed on 17 May. The opera house’s new intendant, Dominique Meyer, will present … [Read more...] about La Scala would lose €50,000 a day if it reopened
J’Nai Bridges answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? Age 5, in the church choir. Why did you start singing? It was way to best communicate. Which singer inspired you most when you were young? Whitney … [Read more...] about J’Nai Bridges answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Opera singers against the coronavirus – how one singer is lifting spirits in Milan
Gramilano happens to be a neighbour of Armando Ariostini, the baritone who works tirelessly for Casa Verdi, the retirement home for musicians, here in Milan. The coronavirus has kept us all in our … [Read more...] about Opera singers against the coronavirus – how one singer is lifting spirits in Milan
Olga Peretyatko – the generous and gifted artist in recital at La Scala
Olga Peretyatko was in glorious voice for her captivating recital at La Scala. Beautiful on both the eye and the ear she charmed throughout her highly demanding and lengthy programme, bewitching the … [Read more...] about Olga Peretyatko – the generous and gifted artist in recital at La Scala
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
Angela Gheorghiu’s releases first studio recording in six years: Eternamente – The Verismo Album
The studio recording - her first in six years - explores the generation of Italian composers that followed Verdi, including three duets with tenor Joseph Calleja Eternamente - The Verismo … [Read more...] about Angela Gheorghiu’s releases first studio recording in six years: Eternamente – The Verismo Album
Marie Duplessis, at 23, inspired Dumas then Verdi; now 23-year-old Maria Mudryak sings La traviata
La traviata, an opera that has moved audiences to tears since its premiere in Venice in 1853, was based on a true story of prostitution, obsession and love. Marie Duplessis was born in 1824 to a … [Read more...] about Marie Duplessis, at 23, inspired Dumas then Verdi; now 23-year-old Maria Mudryak sings La traviata
Jonas Kaufmann on his return to singing after 4 months, and his love of Italian singability
Jonas Kaufmann has not sung since September when he sang the programme from his glorious new cd, Dolce Vita, at Teatro San Carlo in Naples. He was forced to cancel his imminent appearances due to … [Read more...] about Jonas Kaufmann on his return to singing after 4 months, and his love of Italian singability
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
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
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
Great Russian soprano Galina Vishnevskaya dies at 86
Russian opera legend Galina Vishnevskaya has died today, December 11, at the age of 86. Vishnevskaya was born in St Petersburg (Leningrad) 25 October 1926, and cast out by her parents at six weeks. … [Read more...] about Great Russian soprano Galina Vishnevskaya dies at 86
What a week at La Scala! First La Bartoli and now a last minute substitution on the most prestigious night of the year.
The opera and ballet season at La Scala opens today. December 7 is the day that Milan celebrates Saint Ambose (Sant'Ambrogio), its Patron Saint who was a Bishop of the city in the 4th century. Schools … [Read more...] about What a week at La Scala! First La Bartoli and now a last minute substitution on the most prestigious night of the year.
Adelina Patti in a splendid portrait now on show in Milan
Giuseppe Verdi on Adelina Patti, one of the great coloratura singers of the 19th century: When I heard her for the first time (she was eighteen) in London, I was astounded not only by the marvellous … [Read more...] about Adelina Patti in a splendid portrait now on show in Milan
Cecilia Bartoli on discovering a new composer, vocal styles, and bella Italia
Cecilia Bartoli's new album will be on the shelves in a couple of weeks' time. If Mission is successful it should put early Baroque composer Agostino Steffani (1655-1728) back on the musical map. He … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli on discovering a new composer, vocal styles, and bella Italia
1907: Madame Tetrazzini conquerors London and her ‘rival’ Adelina Patti is there to cheer her on
In 1907 Madame Tetrazzini made a sensational début as Violetta in La Traviata at Covent Garden in London, where she was completely unknown, and from that point on she was an international operatic … [Read more...] about 1907: Madame Tetrazzini conquerors London and her ‘rival’ Adelina Patti is there to cheer her on
Magda Olivero at 102: The problem is that there are many singing teachers, but few of any worth
Just after Magda Olivero's 102nd birthday, (on March 25), the Corriere della Sera went to visit her. This remarkable woman still has a lot to say. While many of her opinions are maybe inevitable for … [Read more...] about Magda Olivero at 102: The problem is that there are many singing teachers, but few of any worth
Armani luxury hotel opens in Milan – close to La Scala and via Montenapoleone
Giorgio Armani opened a luxury hotel in the centre of Milan today. It is in via Manzoni, near to La Scala, the Montenapoleone shopping district, and that other great Milanese hotel Grand Hotel et de … [Read more...] about Armani luxury hotel opens in Milan – close to La Scala and via Montenapoleone
Pippo Delbono, Marie-Agnès Gillot and Bobò – the étoile in the asylum
In just under two hours Pippo Delbono takes his audience on a rollercoaster ride from Dante to Pasolini, from a solo violin to a Verdi chorus, from contemporary dance to pointe shoes, from the … [Read more...] about Pippo Delbono, Marie-Agnès Gillot and Bobò – the étoile in the asylum
Christopher Wheeldon explains why his Alice ballet isn’t a slow-motion car crash
Luke Jennings, summing up the critics' verdicts on the 'McCartney Ballet' in the Guardian's theatre blog, reflected on unsuccessful narrative ballets: Ballet's gatekeepers tend to almost infinite … [Read more...] about Christopher Wheeldon explains why his Alice ballet isn’t a slow-motion car crash
Marie-Agnès Gillot in Milan for Pippo Delbono’s “After The Battle”
This is how The New York Times introduced Delbono to its readership in an interview last year: Part theater, part dance, part carnival, part music, the works of Pippo Delbono are hard to … [Read more...] about Marie-Agnès Gillot in Milan for Pippo Delbono’s “After The Battle”
Swedish baritone Ingvar Wixell dies at 80
Swedish baritone Ingvar Wixell who for 30 years was a member of the Deutsche Oper Berlin company has died at age 80, the Dagens Nyheter daily said Monday. Wixell was born in Lulea, northern Sweden … [Read more...] about Swedish baritone Ingvar Wixell dies at 80
Kiri Te Kanawa on divas, puppies & Luther Vandross – but avoids commenting on Katherine Jenkins
Ahead of her much-anticipated Belfast Festival appearance, Matthew McCreary of the Belfast Telegraph talks to Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. In what is a rather mundane interview (the fault of the Dame, not … [Read more...] about Kiri Te Kanawa on divas, puppies & Luther Vandross – but avoids commenting on Katherine Jenkins
Ildebrando D’Arcangelo talks to the LA Times about hunkdom, acting, comedy and future roles
Ildebrando D'Arcangelo is in the City of Angels appearing in "Così fan Tutte" at the Los Angeles Opera. The bass-baritone "projects a swaggering confidence and dangerous sex appeal" says the Los … [Read more...] about Ildebrando D’Arcangelo talks to the LA Times about hunkdom, acting, comedy and future roles