Transparent pyramids and architectural lighting will feature in the new production of Aida for the 100th edition of the Verona Arena Opera Festival – a production that is technological but intimate … [Read more...] about New production of Verdi’s Aida opens 100th edition of Verona Arena Opera Festival
Verona
Giulietta – a new ballet with Eleonora Abbagnato, her daughter, and an imaginary friend
A modern-day Juliet, still a child, imagines herself as an adult. She imagines having a Romeo of her own, as in Shakespeare’s story. The young Juliet is played by ten-year-old Julia Balzaretti, and … [Read more...] about Giulietta – a new ballet with Eleonora Abbagnato, her daughter, and an imaginary friend
Soprano Angel Blue pulls out of production at “racist” Verona Arena
“The use of blackface is offensive, humiliating, and outright racist,” said Californian soprano Angel Blue, as she announced that she was pulling out of La Traviata at the Verona Arena. She does … [Read more...] about Soprano Angel Blue pulls out of production at “racist” Verona Arena
Jonas Kaufmann on his Verona debut, new album, and love of Italy
This season, Jonas Kaufmann makes his debut at Verona’s Arena. I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment. To sing in the Arena, one of the most magical places in the world, has been a dream … [Read more...] about Jonas Kaufmann on his Verona debut, new album, and love of Italy
Hui He answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
When did you start singing? I always loved to sing since I was a child. I sang on every occasion, also during public events at school, where my maths teacher heard me and advised me to take singing … [Read more...] about Hui He answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti is Mercutio in the Kobborg-Polunin-Cojocaru Romeo and Juliet
On the 26 August, there will be a single performance only of Johan Kobborg’s new production of Romeo and Juliet with Sergei Polunin and Alina Cojocaru in the title roles. But when the theatre in … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti is Mercutio in the Kobborg-Polunin-Cojocaru Romeo and Juliet
Maria Callas was a tenor
In a bizarre muddle-up by someone at the Verona Sera online news service, a headline stated that 2 August was the 70th Anniversary of ‘tenor’ Maria Callas’s debut at the Verona Arena. Part of a … [Read more...] about Maria Callas was a tenor
Rome’s Colosseum to get its floor back
Ecco nelle foto Alinari come i visitatori vedevano e vivevano il Colosseo sino a poco più di un secolo fa. pic.twitter.com/i4w74IYUlB — Dario Franceschini (@dariofrance) November 2, 2014 Last … [Read more...] about Rome’s Colosseum to get its floor back
Rosalind Plowright’s first recital disc reviewed: La belle Dame sans merci
During a career spanning almost forty years, Rosalind Plowright has never recorded a recital disc. She has sung in all the world's greatest opera houses, with the most lauded of colleagues - singers, … [Read more...] about Rosalind Plowright’s first recital disc reviewed: La belle Dame sans merci
Roberto Bolle and Friends return to Verona’s 15,000 seat Arena
Roberto Bolle returns to Verona's 15,000 seat arena with his Friends roadshow next year. It will be two years, almost to the day, after his last sell-out show. On 22 July 2014, starting at 22.00, … [Read more...] about Roberto Bolle and Friends return to Verona’s 15,000 seat Arena
Mara Galeazzi’s farewell gala with her Royal Ballet friends
Summer months in Italy boast many ballet galas: Bolle & Friends, Abbagnato & Friends... who doesn't want to tour the glorious piazze of Italy: fantastic dance in fantastic settings. But this … [Read more...] about Mara Galeazzi’s farewell gala with her Royal Ballet friends
Mara Galeazzi’s addio: it’s time to think about my family
Mara Galeazzi, principal dancer with London's Royal Ballet, though trained at the La Scala school in Milan, will say goodbye to her performing career on 23 July at a starry gala with colleagues from … [Read more...] about Mara Galeazzi’s addio: it’s time to think about my family
Pavarotti gets his own mineral water and exhibition
The makers of San Pellegrino mineral water have teamed up with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation to produce bottles of still and sparkling with the Pavarotti label. The international launch of the … [Read more...] about Pavarotti gets his own mineral water and exhibition
The Royal Ballet’s Mara Galeazzi says arrivederci to the ballet stage
Just over a month ago the Royal Ballet announced that principal dancer Mara Galeazzi will be leaving the company: Mara Galeazzi will retire from The Royal Ballet in July 2013, at the end of the … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet’s Mara Galeazzi says arrivederci to the ballet stage
Rosalind Plowright answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? Age 12. I had always sung before but only found my true voice at this age. My father was a bass player and had been playing in the orchestra for a performance … [Read more...] about Rosalind Plowright answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Tonight Roberto Bolle and Friends alight at the 15,000-seater Roman Arena in Verona
Tonight Verona's famous Arena is sold out. All 15,000 seats will be full to watch Roberto Bolle and his 'friends' dance in the open air. It is a magical place. Italy's Il Sole 24 Ore (the … [Read more...] about Tonight Roberto Bolle and Friends alight at the 15,000-seater Roman Arena in Verona
The dance drain: who will save ballet in Italy?
Italians are great dancers, but they don't get much opportunity to demonstrate that in their homeland. The history of ballet is adorned with Italian talent: Giuseppina Bozzacchi was the … [Read more...] about The dance drain: who will save ballet in Italy?
A true Latin man: Vittorio Grigolo’s roving eye!
Vittorio Grigolo sang the song Caruso at Verona's Arena as a tribute to its composer Lucio Dalla who died last March at 68. It was part of an evening which marks the start of the build-up to the … [Read more...] about A true Latin man: Vittorio Grigolo’s roving eye!
The opera world’s Angelina Jolie, Nino Machaidze: It’s useless to be nervous
Nino Machaidze, the 28-year-old soprano from Georgia, graduate of Milan's Teatro alla Scala Academia, is in Los Angeles with Romeo and Juliet which is boomeranging her around the world's opera houses … [Read more...] about The opera world’s Angelina Jolie, Nino Machaidze: It’s useless to be nervous
Madonna considers becoming Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s new neighbour in Verona
Madonna is eyeing a house in the northern Italian city of Verona, local sources said Tuesday. "I confirm the American pop star's interest but I cannot add anything else," said Milan realtor … [Read more...] about Madonna considers becoming Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s new neighbour in Verona
