(Photo credit: Brescia and Amisano) One of the most common phenomena of the 18th century was the pilgrimage of European composers to Italy, seeking to immerse themselves in the “alla italiana” compositional technique and then return to their homelands to apply this revolutionary formula. Such was the case of Florian Leopold Gassmann (1729–1774), who left his native Bohemia to settle {…}
(Credit: Olivia Kahler) Alasdair Kent made a name for himself performing in opera houses around the world, but his upcoming role as Frederic in West Australian Opera’s “The Pirates of Penzance” marks his principal debut in his home city of Perth, Western Australia. The role is one of many exciting firsts for the singer this year, who following his performance {…}
(Photo: Brescia e Amisano) It was December 7, 2019, when the curtain of Teatro alla Scala rose before the select audience that annually attends the Sant’Ambroeus performance, better known among opera lovers as “La prima della Scala,” the event that inaugurates the new season of the prestigious Italian theater. To open the 2019-20 season—unaware that it would soon be brutally {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has advanced plans for the Teatro alla Scala’s 2025-26 season. The season will open with Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” directed by Vasily Barkhatov and Sara Jakubiak. Riccardo Chailly will conduct. In February 2026, the company will give the entire “Ring Cycle” with Simone Young and Alexander Soddy. In April, the company will revive “Turandot” in {…}
(Credit: Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala) On the recommendation of mezzo-soprano Yelizaveta Lavrovskaya, Tchaikovsky began reading “Eugene Onegin” by Alexander Pushkin, initially more out of obligation than pleasure. However, the novel captivated him, especially the figure of Tatiana, which led him to compose a series of “lyrical scenes.” In a letter addressed to Karl Albrecht, Musical Inspector of the Imperial {…}
(Photo ©Michele Crosera) A new era for the Teatro alla Scala has begun under Fortunato Ortombina. The new superintendent took over this week following Dominque Meyer’s departure and has already announced plans for the legendary theater. According to Italian news outlets, Ortombina has announced a series of events for the company’s 250th anniversary in 2028. The projects include city events {…}
Barbara Berlusconi has been appointed to the board of the Teatro alla Scala in Milano. The appointment was made by the president of the Lombardy Region and is the first time a Berlusconi enters the board of directors of the Teatro alla Scala. In a statement, Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy Region said, “Best wishes for Dr. Berlusconi for {…}
(Photo: Brescia – Amisano © Teatro alla Scala) There is no other title in operatic history that was created with as little expectation as “Falstaff.” Giuseppe Verdi concluded that he had composed everything he was meant to in life and stopped writing for several years. It wasn’t until 1880 that his wife, Giuseppina Strepponi, pointed out that to close his {…}
After publicly criticizing Anna Netrebko due to her past actions in Russia, former chancellor Angela Merkel attended a performance of “La Forza del Destino” at teh Teatro alla Scala. In a now-deleted Tweet, Merkel was spotted sitting in the performance with a purple velvet blazer. Merkel was critical of Netrebko at the beginning of the war in Ukraine stating that {…}
(Credit: Brescia – Amisano © Teatro alla Scala) Legend has it that “La forza del destino” is a cursed opera, associated with tragedies that seem to haunt every new production. From companies falling into bankruptcy after staging it, to severe technical and production errors arising after the famous overture, and even the deaths of artists linked to the work—this reputation {…}
Brian Jagde is set to return to “La Forza del Destino” at the Teatro alla Scala on Dec. 19. After missing performances on Dec. 13 and 16 due to the birth of his first son, the tenor said, “Unfortunately I will not be back in Milano yet for tonight’s performance of ‘Forza’ at the Teatro alla Scala, but I will {…}