It may be a cliché, but Anna Caterina Antonacci has, like a fine Italian wine, got better with time. Twenty years ago she was floundering with vocal problems, and it was probably this that gave her … [Read more...] about Anna Caterina Antonacci ‘simply stunning’ at the MITO Festival in Milan
Verdi
Dustin Hoffman to make directorial début with film about retired opera singers
Dustin Hoffman will make his directorial debut with a film about retired opera singers. The Hollywood Reporter said yesterday that Hoffman is scheduled to begin shooting "Quartet" in London later this … [Read more...] about Dustin Hoffman to make directorial début with film about retired opera singers
Vienna Opera and La Scala exchange goes ahead tomorrow
A much-anticipated exchange between the Vienna Opera and Milan's Teatro alla Scala will go ahead despite earlier fears it might be cancelled because of a strike. Two unions at the Milan opera house … [Read more...] about Vienna Opera and La Scala exchange goes ahead tomorrow
Italian tenor Salvatore Licitra has died. He was 43.
Italian tenor Salvatore Licitra died today from head injuries he suffered nine days ago in an accident while riding his scooter in Sicily. Following the accident on 27 August near Ragusa, Licitra was … [Read more...] about Italian tenor Salvatore Licitra has died. He was 43.
Carlos Acosta “a genuine product of the Revolution” receives Cuba’s 2011 National Performing Arts Award
Cuban danseur and choreographer Carlos Acosta was bestowed with the 2011 National Performing Arts Award, which he devoted to Fernando, Alberto and Alicia Alonso, founders of the National Ballet of … [Read more...] about Carlos Acosta “a genuine product of the Revolution” receives Cuba’s 2011 National Performing Arts Award
Gramophone Magazine’s Classical Music Awards 2011 – shortlists
Gramophone's shortlists are out for this year's awards. No real surprises, but then those Gramophone people have great taste! Here's a sample: Opera: Die Zauberflöte - René Jacobs; Akademie für … [Read more...] about Gramophone Magazine’s Classical Music Awards 2011 – shortlists
Naxos record the complete Verdi ballet scores
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra of the UK, under the baton of maestro José Serebrier, recently recorded for Naxos Giuseppe Verdi’s complete ballet music from the Italian … [Read more...] about Naxos record the complete Verdi ballet scores
Plácido Domingo with Angela Gheorghiu “gesturing as if on a Heathrow runway bringing in a plane”
No prize for guessing who wore the best dresses. No prize, either, for picking the singer who came out on top and won our hearts. Gheorghiu’s soprano might be a fascinating mix of rich cream and … [Read more...] about Plácido Domingo with Angela Gheorghiu “gesturing as if on a Heathrow runway bringing in a plane”
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
American baritone Cornell MacNeil dies at 88
The American baritone Cornell MacNeil died on July 15, he was 88. He was best known for his many Verdi roles. From 1959 to 1987, he sang 26 roles in more than 600 appearances at the Metropolitan … [Read more...] about American baritone Cornell MacNeil dies at 88
Rufus Wainwright’s Velvet, Glamour and Guilt at the Opera House
From the July 18 until July 23 Rufus Wainwright is taking over the Royal Opera House. Although Elton John and Björk have given concerts there already, this 'residency' is something different; a … [Read more...] about Rufus Wainwright’s Velvet, Glamour and Guilt at the Opera House
Simon Keenlyside is “singing on the top of his form” or has a “tendency to shout tonelessly”?
Simon Keenlyside's British début as Macbeth at The Royal Opera House has both bemused and wowed the critics. After the live relay we can all have our say, but here is a smattering of divided opinion … [Read more...] about Simon Keenlyside is “singing on the top of his form” or has a “tendency to shout tonelessly”?
Critics round-up: Ballo della regina (Balanchine) – Live Fire Exercise (Wayne McGregor) – Danse à grande vitesse (Christopher Wheeldon)
The Royal Ballet's new triple bill brings two new pieces: Balanchine's Ballo della Regina, and a new creation by Wayne McGregor called Live Fire Exercise. The critics were almost all in agreement … [Read more...] about Critics round-up: Ballo della regina (Balanchine) – Live Fire Exercise (Wayne McGregor) – Danse à grande vitesse (Christopher Wheeldon)
Ildebrando d’Arcangelo – “Mozart is my god”
Tomorrow the new CD by Ildebrando d'Arcangelo is in the shops, or in a couple of weeks' time is you're in the US. Called simply Mozart, it gives the Italian baritone scope to present the repertoire … [Read more...] about Ildebrando d’Arcangelo – “Mozart is my god”
Fabio Luisi’s moving house – but will Jimmy Levine be moving out?
Fabio Luisi is moving to New York. He and his wife, Barbara Luisi, a former violinist and now a photographer, and their 13-year-old son are moving to New York in May, to an apartment on West 96th … [Read more...] about Fabio Luisi’s moving house – but will Jimmy Levine be moving out?
Tenor Vincenzo La Scola dies at 53
Vincenzo La Scola, an Italian tenor known internationally as both an opera singer and a crossover artist, died on April 15 in Turkey, where he was giving a master class, from a heart attack. He was … [Read more...] about Tenor Vincenzo La Scola dies at 53
“Vincerò” or “I shall win!”? The opera translation dilemma
Soprano Jane Eaglen once told me that she would never sing Norma in English, how could "Casta Diva" be replaced by "Chaste Goddess"? In fact for Italian speakers, translations are often excruciating … [Read more...] about “Vincerò” or “I shall win!”? The opera translation dilemma
Scholar Philip Gossett disagrees with the Met’s musical decisions
As I write the audience at the Metropolitan Opera's first production of Rossini's Le Comte Ory are leaving their seats during the first interval. So far it has been warmly received, but a … [Read more...] about Scholar Philip Gossett disagrees with the Met’s musical decisions
The new Michael Jackson statue gets the critics’ verdict: “a spectacular piece of kitsch”
As I predicted yesterday the art critics have started weighing in on Mohamed Al Fayed's Michael Jackson statue. Louisa Buck, contemporary art correspondent for The Art Newspaper A work of art is … [Read more...] about The new Michael Jackson statue gets the critics’ verdict: “a spectacular piece of kitsch”
Fabio Luisi chasing James Levine’s job leaves an opening for the young Daniele Rustioni
Last night Daniele Rustioni conducted Aida at Covent Garden. At 28 he is certainly young, but as assistant to the house musical director Antonio Pappano he was an obvious and pleasing choise to … [Read more...] about Fabio Luisi chasing James Levine’s job leaves an opening for the young Daniele Rustioni
Welsh tenor, Robert Tear, dies aged 72
Welsh tenor Robert Tear has died today aged 72. He made his final singing performance at the Royal Opera House, as the emperor in Turandot, in 2009. Tear, who was born in Barry in the Vale of … [Read more...] about Welsh tenor, Robert Tear, dies aged 72
So it’s not The Most Incredible Thing after all
British pop duo the Pet Shop Boys have unveiled their first ballet score, a dance work based on the Hans Christian Andersen story The Most Incredible Thing. It is a fairytale about a ruler who offers … [Read more...] about So it’s not The Most Incredible Thing after all
Muti goes against doctors orders and conducts Nabucco in Rome
Last night, only a month after being fitted with a pacemaker and having facial sugery after a fall, Riccardo Muti went against the wishes of his Chicago doctors and conducted Nabucco at the Rome … [Read more...] about Muti goes against doctors orders and conducts Nabucco in Rome
Franz Liszt (or rather Liszt Ferenc as we must learn to call him) invented the “recital” in Milan at La Scala
Therefore it was appropriate for Italian pianist Gregorio Nardi to give a Liszt recital in Milan as part of the bicentenary celebrations of the composer's birth. Liszt's original invention of a … [Read more...] about Franz Liszt (or rather Liszt Ferenc as we must learn to call him) invented the “recital” in Milan at La Scala
Anna Nicole’s breasts loom largely on the Royal Opera House stage – “I’ll eat my six-gallon hat if it’s not a stonking great hit.”
"The sad but true story of Anna Nicole Smith, a two-bit, surgically enhanced American stripper, nude model and C-list celebrity who married an 89-year-old billionaire and ended up, at the age of 39, … [Read more...] about Anna Nicole’s breasts loom largely on the Royal Opera House stage – “I’ll eat my six-gallon hat if it’s not a stonking great hit.”
Cecilia Bartoli ignored by Italy… again.
Rome-born Cecilia Bartoli famously sings in all the world except her for her home nation. Last year in Italy she sand just one performance of her "Sacrificium" programme in Turin as the closing … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli ignored by Italy… again.
Bartoli’s Sacrificium and Muti’s Verdi Requiem recordings win Grammy Awards
Right down there at the bottom of the barrel are the classical nominations - after rap, blues, latin, heavy metal, R&B, country, jazz, pop and every other form of popular music imaginable there … [Read more...] about Bartoli’s Sacrificium and Muti’s Verdi Requiem recordings win Grammy Awards
Welsh soprano Dame Margaret Price has died aged 69
Dame Margaret Price, possessor of one of the world's most beautiful soprano voices, has died from heart failure at the age of 69. She passed away yesterday morning at her home near Cardigan, … [Read more...] about Welsh soprano Dame Margaret Price has died aged 69
Turandot coming home to China
After years spent building spectacular, state-of-the art opera houses in major metropolises and unheralded backwaters, China is experiencing a boom in Western-style grand opera production, opera … [Read more...] about Turandot coming home to China
Daniel Harding conducts the New Year’s Concert from Venice
The increasingly popular New Year's Concert from the La Fenice theatre in Venice will be shown live on Italian television and relayed to many other countries around the globe. It goes in direct … [Read more...] about Daniel Harding conducts the New Year’s Concert from Venice
