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 Houston. Which singer do you most admire? Ella Fitzgerald, Leontyne Price, Beyoncé (it’s impossible to choose!) What’s your favourite role? Carmen right now. What role have you never played … [Read more...] about J’Nai Bridges answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Verdi
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 homes, and Armando away from his beloved Casa Verdi, which is only a stone's throw away, but at this time it could just as well be in Sicily. To keep spirits up, Italians have been … [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 audience for more than two hours – people headed toward the exits at 10.40pm after an 8pm start. A mixed programme offered three settings of Gretchen’s (or Margarete’s) soliloquy … [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 Mahler, in the striking modernity of the orchestration; there is Puccini, who was certainly influenced when writing his Tosca four years later... Riccardo Chailly has said that he … [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 Album, Angela Gheorghiu's first studio recording in six years, will be released on 20 October 2017, and will feature performances of opera and song by Italian composers of the generation that … [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 humble family in Nonant-le-Pin, in north-western France. Hers is the classic rags-to-riches story, complete with a mother who died when she was young and an alcoholic father. When … [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 voice problems… then a few more dates… then a few more, even cancelling his appearance at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony. Well, the good news is that his annus horribilis is over and … [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 singer do you most admire? The good ones. What’s your favourite role? More than one... all the masterpieces. What role have you never played but would have … [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 recital. Her luxury accompanist was to have been Daniel Barenboim, but he was forced to withdraw due to an injury. La Scala's excellent Fabrizio Meloni was there with his … [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 perform at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus with Tristan und Isolde in 1957. For a decade he was the Principal Conductor of the Vienna Symphony until 1970. Then from 1971 to 1992 Sawallisch … [Read more...] about Great conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch dies at 89
