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 lesson with her neighbour who was a voice teacher. He listened me, and he told me that I was ready to attend the conservatoire in Xi’an, my city. I went there, in few years I became … [Read more...] about Hui He answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Verona
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 Verona’s vast Arena with 30,000 seats it is the equivalent of a 15-performance run in an opera house. Joining them on stage will be The Royal Ballet’s First Soloist, Valentino … [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 large group of online local news sites, the Verona Sera headline read: Verona remembers Maria Callas, a bronze statue will be placed in the Arena 2 August marks the anniversary of … [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 November Italy's Minister for Culture, Dario Franceschini, tweeted about a plan to create a floor for the Colosseum in Rome. The arena had a floor until the 1800s when the lower … [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, conductors, directors, designers - and made some important opera recordings and videos, yet the recital disc has never quite happened, even though recitals are a part of her career … [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, Roberto Bolle and Friends will dance on one of the most awe-inspiring stages in the world, surrounded by a 2,000 year-old construction, and under the night sky. The Arena di Verona, … [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 year, one gala stands out, for Mara Galeazzi gave her farewell on 23 July at the enchanting Teatro Romano in Verona. Not Galeazzi & Friends but Mara Galeazzi Gala with … [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 the Royal Ballet in Verona. She talked to the Italian Vanity Fair's Paola Saltari: I will carry on with dance, but offstage. I have various projects in mind, especially for … [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 Special Edition bottle took place in New York with an installation about the Maestro’s life and career. The exclusive bottles will be available in fine dining restaurants throughout … [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 current season. Mara, who had her first child last April, will move to Oman to be with her husband. She will focus on new projects, teaching dance and her work for her charity … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet’s Mara Galeazzi says arrivederci to the ballet stage