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Verdi

[Interview] Riccardo Frizza conducts the Verdi Requiem on the 150th anniversary of Manzoni’s death

19 May 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Riccardo Frizza, photo by Simone Falcetta, crop

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

12 May 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Henrik Nánási by Gunnar Geller, crop

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

7 March 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Michael Fabiano, photo by Jiyang Chen crop

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

14 August 2021 by Gramilano 7 Comments

Riccardo Muti © Todd Rosenberg Photography, by courtesy of riccardomutimusic.com

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

26 May 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Teatro alla Scala

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

20 March 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

J'Nai Bridges

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

19 March 2020 by Gramilano 5 Comments

Armando Ariostini on his balcony crop

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

5 July 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Olga Peretyatko with her pianist Giulio Zappa during an autograph session after her recital

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

4 December 2017 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Riccardo Chailly, photo by Brescia e Amisano, Teatro alla Scala 01

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

31 August 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Eternamente   Angela Gheorghiu 4

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

10 July 2017 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Duplessis Mudryak

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

3 January 2017 by Gramilano 6 Comments

Dolve Vita, Jonas Kaufmann

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

1 August 2014 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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

8 May 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

24 February 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

11 December 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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.

7 December 2012 by Gramilano 4 Comments

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

24 November 2012 by Gramilano 7 Comments

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 … [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

19 September 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

29 August 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

9 April 2012 by Gramilano 7 Comments

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

10 November 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

22 October 2011 by Gramilano 3 Comments

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

15 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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”

14 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

10 October 2011 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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

5 October 2011 by Gramilano 3 Comments

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

1 October 2011 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

Kaufmann, Netrebko and Schrott at the Royal Albert Hall

26 September 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Opera singers Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott are to perform together for a special concert performance at the Royal Albert Hall in June 2012. The trio ("Opera's Greatest Stars") … [Read more...] about Kaufmann, Netrebko and Schrott at the Royal Albert Hall

Andrea Bocelli in Central Park: “The World’s Most Beliked Tenor”?

17 September 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Mr. Bocelli’s fans seemed thrilled, rain or no rain. There remains a considerable divide between the passions of the audience he has reached (his recordings have sold more than 65 million, according … [Read more...] about Andrea Bocelli in Central Park: “The World’s Most Beliked Tenor”?

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NEWS

Royal Academy of Dance acquires Dancing Times photographic archive

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GRAMILANO

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan, aka ‘Gramilano’. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. He wrote the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

Since 2022, Gramilano is pleased to welcome guest authors: Alisa Alekseeva, Paul Arrowsmith, Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel, Jonathan Gray, Marina Harss, Matthew Paluch, Jann Parry, Graham Watts, and Deborah Weiss.

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