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
Verdi
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
Kaufmann, Netrebko and Schrott at the Royal Albert Hall
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”?
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”?
Anna Caterina Antonacci ‘simply stunning’ at the MITO Festival in Milan
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
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”?
