Refreshing the classics: Barbiere at La Scala

By Courtney Smith, 29 July 2015

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“Nucci’s ageless, spritely Figaro tossed-off elegant high notes like a cork in a storm”

Reviewed at Teatro alla Scala, Milan on 27 July 2015

Rossini, Il barbiere di Siviglia

Teatro alla Scala

Massimo Zanetti, Conductor

Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, Director, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Leo Nucci, Figaro

Massimo Cavalletti, Figaro

Ruggero Raimondi, Don Basilio

Lilly Jørstad, Rosina

Edoardo Miletti, Count Almaviva

Giovanni Romeo, Dr Bartolo

Fatma Said, Berta

Petro Ostapenko, Officer

Michele Nani, Ambrogio

Kwanghyun Kim, Fiorello

Orchestra dell'Accademia Teatro alla Scala

Lorenza Cantini, Revival Director

The Ring returns to the Rhine: Götterdämmerung at La Scala

Laura Servidei, 1st February

Under Alexander Soddy’s powerful conducting and Sir David McVicar’s dark, evocative staging, the Ring finds a searing conclusion, anchored by a powerful Brünnhilde from Camilla Nylund, as the world burns.

*****

Shostakovitch’s Lady Macbeth conquers La Scala on opening night

Laura Servidei, 7th December

Shostakovich's brutal tale of sex, murder and madness storms La Scala's opening night, with Riccardo Chailly leading his final season premiere as Music Director.

****1

The game of love: Robert Carsen’s new Così fan tutte at La Scala

Laura Servidei, 8th November

Alexander Soddy leads a great cast in a clever, supremely entertaining new production in Milan.

****1

Pelly’s iconic Fille du régiment retains its charm at La Scala

Laura Servidei, 17th October

Julie Fuchs and Juan Diego Flórez give life to the refreshing and funny take of Laurent Pelly’s classic production, under the baton of Evelino Pidò.

****1

Martone's modern Rigoletto returns with power and flaws to La Scala

Laura Servidei, 10th October

A Rigoletto revival in Milan is elevated by a stellar vocal performance from Amartuvshin Enkhbat, despite a finale that divides opinion and some uneven orchestral pacing.

***11

Rossini Renaissance renewed: Ponnelle’s Cenerentola at La Scala

Laura Servidei, 6th September

Conductor Gianluca Capuano leads the Accademia Teatro alla Scala orchestra and a solid cast in a fun, bubbling performance of a classic staging.

****1

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Courtney Smith

Courtney Smith is an American freelance journalist living in Milan, Italy. On classical music and opera, she's written for the BBC Music Magazine, Opera Now, Opera News, Corriere della Sera Style Magazine, Auditorium, Limelight and Classical Singer. She's written in-house for classical music organizations such as The New York Philharmonic and the Royal Opera House's blog. On luxury, fashion and beauty, she's written for The Wall Street Journal, Women's Wear Daily, Grazia.it and W Magazine's Editors' Blog. She's written in-house for brands such as Calvin Klein.

Refreshing the classics: Ponnelle's Barbiere resurrection with the Teatro alla Scala Academy