Plácido Domingo will perform the title role of Verdi’s ‘‘,’’ conducted by , La Scala’s musical director. CENTER STAGE

2013-14 RECITALS A SEASON OF THOUGHTFUL DELIGHTS SINGING, PURE AND SIMPLE When the curtain rises at Teatro alla Scala directed by Laurent Pelly with Juan Diego Opera enthusiasts can’t get enough of on Dec. 7, the opening night audience will Flórez in the title role, it will debut in July. their favorite singers. Recitals help meet feel reassured. They will see an elegant An unusual, mixed program is on the the demand for appearances by beloved Parisian salon, what one would expect in a schedule for January and February, with two artists. The singer provides the entire traditional production of one of Verdi’s most ballets — ‘‘Le Spectre de la Rose’’ with cho- show, with aprogram and apiano accom- beloved operas, ‘‘.’’ reography by Michail Fokin and ‘‘La Rose panist chosen by him or her. Thus a recital But there are surprises in store. This Malade’’ by Roland Petit —and a one-act ensures an artistic freedom to the per- brand-new production will be not quite what opera, ‘‘Cavalleria Rusticana,’’ conducted by former that an opera appearance cannot the audience expects, and that is exactly as Daniel Harding. provide.

Stéphane Lissner, general manager of La French opera will take the spotlight in SCALA Recitals by opera stars began in the early Scala, would have it. ‘‘My idea of apublic April with a major production of grand opera 20th century. Before then, recitals con- ALLA

theater is not to see and be seen in nice SCALA and a masterpiece of the French repertory, sisted of a pianist alone (as championed by clothes and sip Champagne between acts, ‘‘,’’ by Berlioz. In the golfo Franz Liszt) or hybrid programs including ALLA TEATRO

but to make people think,’’ he says. ‘‘Our mistico,the pit, will be Anthony Pappano, / both singers and musicians —usually a viol- mission should not be primarily to charm one of the leading conductors of our time inist and a pianist. TEATRO

and delight an audience but to make the / and the music director of the Royal Opera in La Scala has been presenting singing re- public reflect and think. Thinking can also be London. English-born of Italian parents, he citals for half a century, and will offer seven delightful, no?’’ has conducted concerts at La Scala, but of them in the coming season. One assuredly delightful aspect of the never an opera. All seven artists have sung at La Scala production will be the singing. Diana Damrau Expectations are high for another BRESCIA-AMISANO before, so they are no strangers to the op- has the role of Violetta, and Lissner calls the massive show (a co-production with six dif- era house and the tastes of its demanding German soprano the definitive Violetta of BRESCIA-AMISANO ferent opera houses involved): Richard LEADERSHIP audience. On March 3, 2014, Ferruccio Fur- our time. He booked her for the part four The Russian director Dmitri Tcherniakov’s new Strauss’s ‘‘Elektra.’’ It is important in part lanetto will appear. The Italian bass has a years ago, before he had a director or con- production of ‘‘La Traviata’’ opens the season. because 2014 marks the 150th birthday of NEW DIRECTION FOR YEARS AHEAD strong international following and played ductor. Alfredo is played by Polish-born Piotr Strauss. the title role in La Scala’s ‘‘Don Carlo’’ in Beczala, and Zeljko Lucic, aSerbian bari- from Milan. The psychology that drives the There is asecond, more contemporary Change is inevitable, even to as vener- usual. The current managing director of La Pereira, born in Vienna but no stranger to completed. ‘‘My successor will add and ad- ecology, based upon ‘‘An Inconvenient he says. ‘‘That is the maximum, Ithink, that 2008. tone, sings the role of Giorgio. production comes from its Russian director, reason: ‘‘Elektra’’ debuted at Aix-en-Provence able an institution as Teatro alla Scala. Scala, Stéphane Lissner, will leave Milan to Italy: he worked for Olivetti for 12 years. just to it but the basic program is done,’’ Truth,’’ the movie about climate change by someone should be in this position. I will Furlanetto will be followed on April 14 by

The link to Verdi’s Italian heritage is as- Dmitri Tcherniakov. He is young (43), seri- this past summer under the direction of Over its 235-year history, La Scala has re- head the Paris Opera on Sept. 1, 2014. The Pereira began his professional music man- says Lissner. Al Gore, the former U.S. vice president. It have worked here nine years by the time I the German tenor Jonas Kaufmann, one of SCALA sured by the conductor, Daniele Gatti, who is ous, daring and introspective. Having begun Patrice Chéreau, who died in October at the structured its interiors, expanded its prop- musical director, Daniel Barenboim, will agement career in 1984 and worked for 20 The 2014-15 season is exceptional be- will debut in May 2015, with Robert Carsen leave, so the timing is perfect.’’ today’s most dazzling opera stars, in an ap- his career as an orchestral violinist, he has a age of 68. The French theatrical and film di- erty holdings, created a school for the per- resign at the end of 2014, after having years as director of the Zurich Opera House. cause the 2015 World’s Fair will be held in as the director and Emphasizing that he will continue to pearance supported by Rolex. Kaufmann ALLA special understanding of opera music. rector, an Oscar winner in the latter category, forming arts and started a museum. This conducted the opening opera of La Scala’s He will come to Milan from Salzburg, where the city and La Scala will be open in August. conducting. work with La Scala in co-productions, he was the star of La Scala’s ‘‘’’ in TEATRO

According to Lissner, Tcherniakov is ‘‘one of is consistently named among the top direc- year, the ballet school celebrates its 200th 2014-15 season. he was most recently director of the Because the fair’s theme is ‘‘feed the plan- Reflecting on his time in Milan, Lissner re- adds: ‘‘This has been one of the great ad- 2009 and headlined last year’s season / the three greatest directors working in the tors of theater and opera worldwide. Chéreau birthday and the museum marks 100 years Because opera programming happens Salzburg Festival. et, energy for life,’’ Lissner commissioned calls an interview he gave when he first ventures of my life, truly fantastic. You opener, ‘‘Lohengrin.’’ theater today.’’ has often worked to acclaim with Lissner and of operation. years in advance, the new managing direc- Lissner will leave Pereira with 80 percent the composer Giorgio Battistelli to create a came to La Scala in 2005. ‘‘I said that if I must come to work each day with passion May 25 will mark a recital by the Mexican The Russian will have another opportu- Barenboim, notably for the 1992 ‘‘’’ Next year will bring more change than tor has been named. He is Alexander of the following season’s schedule already new opera around the themes of food and were lucky, I would stay at most 10 years,’’ for what you are doing.’’ n tenor Roland Villazón, who has sung infre- nity to stimulate the Scala’s audiences in by at the Staatsoper, Mozart’s quently at La Scala. He will be accompanied the coming season. He worked with Daniel ‘‘Don Giovanni’’ at the Salzburg Festival in by La Scala’s musical director, Daniel Baren- Barenboim, the house’s musical director, 1994 and the ‘‘’’ by Richard boim, at the piano, so the program is prac- BRESCIA-AMISANO on ‘‘The Czar’s Bride,’’ an opera by Rimsky- Wagner that opened at the Scala in 2007. tically a doubleheader. Jonas Kaufmann, who starred ‘‘Lohengrin’’ at La Scala last year, will sing a recital there in April 2014. Korsakov rarely seen outside of Russia. Other offerings are the always-popular Anja Harteros, the German considered The strikingly modern co-production with ‘‘Lucia di Lamermoor,’’ a co-production with one of opera’s top sopranos, follows on including ‘‘,’’ ‘‘Nabucco’’ and earlier this year as a forceful and comedic the Berlin Staatsoper (where Barenboim the of New York, and ‘‘Il June 22. In November 2014, she will sing the ‘‘Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio,’’ the latter Falstaff applauded by the critics. also serves as musical director), with the Trovatore,’’ both opening in February. role of Amelia in ‘‘Simon Boccanegra,’’ a re- at La Scala. The final recital of 2014 will be that of

SCALA secret police in business suits and the use The final opera of the 2013-14 season is prisal of her 2010 performance. Bryn Terfel will take a turn on Sept. 28 in the German baritone Matthias Goerne. of projected graphics, was highly appreci- another Verdian staple, ‘‘Simon Boc- Another soprano, the Italian Maria another appearance supported by Rolex. Goerne specializes in lieder, which was the ALLA ated by the audience at its debut in Berlin. It canegra.’’ For five of its nine performances, Agresta, will be the recital headliner on The Welsh bass baritone debuted at La original repertory of recital singers. His opens at La Scala in March 2014. it will be conducted by Barenboim and star Sept. 8. Her expressive voice has been Scala in ‘‘The Marriage of Figaro’’ in 1997 lieder program in April 2013 at La Scala de-

TEATRO n

/ Barenboim will conduct two other operas Plácido Domingo in the title role. shown to advantage in many Verdi works, and has returned often, most recently lighted the audience. in the coming season, his last at La Scala. The first opera of the 2014-15 season One is a new production of Mozart’s ‘‘Così will be Barenboim’s swan song at La Scala. fan Tutte,’’ considered a classic of Italian op- ‘‘Fidelio,’’ Beethoven’s only opera, will be di- TRAINING era. Rolando Villazón will play Ferrando in rected by Deborah Warner, an English- the production. woman who has already enjoyed great suc-

BRESCIA-AMISANO YOUNG ARTISTS LEARN THEIR CRAFT Rossini’s ‘‘Le Comte Ory’’ is another cess with Milanese audiences with a Rolando Villazón made his Scala debut opera that is not often seen. A new co- sensitive 2011 production of Britten’s The air in the practice room is bright with The ballet school, in a19th-century Mil- of 24. They are selected —after audition — as Nemorino in ‘‘L’Elisir d’Amore’’ in 2010. production with the Opéra National de Lyon, ‘‘Death in Venice.’’ n the gleaming smiles of the students, and anese building, is the oldest; it is celebrating from all over the world, with non-Italians their faces glisten with perspiration. It is No- its 200th birthday. In 1813, there were 12 sponsored by the Italian Foreign Ministry. The vember, and rehearsals for the December students; this year there are 436. They in- choral program has 60 students, 13 years old MUSEUM opening of ‘‘’’ are in full swing clude 228 children between 6 and 10 years and up, who study for six or seven years. It, too, at Accademia Teatro alla Scala. of age, and 208 students between 11 and is a professional launchpad for its alumni. REPOSITORY OF A STORIED HISTORY La Scala is more than an opera house; it is 18 in an eight-year preparatory program. The orchestra school is also a two-year a school with more than 1,000 students from Dancers from the latter group will appear in program. Eighty students between the ages For music lovers in general —and opera city. ‘‘They were not just one or two wealthy grand piano and 200 personal letters written 16 countries taking classes in music, dance, ‘‘The Nutcracker.’’ of 22 and 25 study under masters and have fans in particular —avisit to La Scala is not patrons or La Scala itself, but the general by him. set design, costuming, audiovisual tech- A two-year program for aspiring opera the opportunity to perform in concerts in Italy complete without stopping at the Museo citizenry. So we can say that this museum The museum is in the process of digitizing niques, photography and arts management. singers has 12 students with an average age and abroad, working with world-class con- Teatrale alla Scala, the museum housed in a really belongs to the people of Milan,’’ em- everything. ‘‘Computers have changed ductors. The academy’s orchestra performs, building adjacent to the theater. The mu- phasizes Sartorio. things dramatically for us,’’ notes Sartorio. conducted by Daniele Rustioni, in Chicago seum is celebrating its 100th birthday at the The items arrived in 1911 but it took two ‘‘We don’t display original letters, but rather Dec. 2 and in Bethesda, Maryland, on Dec. 4, same address, though there have been years to catalog them, and the museum of- digital copies. Letters, manuscripts, paint- closing the celebrations of the Year of Italian many changes since it first opened on ficially opened in 1913. At the time, it had ings, puppets and many other items are not Culture in the United States. March 8, 1913. 10,000 volumes of music criticism, bio- physically here in the museum. They are Ten years ago, La Scala began a14- ‘‘The original idea was to create a graphy and musical scores. The Livia Simoni stored safety elsewhere, and we make digit- month arts management program with Boc- pinacoteca, a gallery where La Scala pat- Library became its own entity in 1952, when al versions available.’’ coni University in Milan. Five months of rons could go to browse interesting objects the Italian music critic Renato Simoni Digitization came in very handy in 2013, classes are followed by an internship —not during the intermissions of the opera,’’ ex- donated 54,000 books to La Scala in honor the year of the Verdi bicentennial. The mu- necessarily at La Scala and not exclusively plains Matteo Sartorio, curator for the mu- of his mother. seum had a huge outpouring of requests for for opera management —and a thesis. seum and its affiliated Livia Simoni Library. Both museum and library have grown images of the composer, given his close af- Éléonore Létang from France is one of The idea had been discussed for a de- substantially. Today they house more than filiation with La Scala. this year’s interns, currently working at La cade at the beginning of the 20th century 350 paintings and sculptures, 50 mini- The introduction of new technology in the Scala’s academy. She says she chose the SCALA when an auction in Paris became acatalyst atures, over 150 porcelain figures, a collec- museum was facilitated by the restructuring program because she wants to go into the-

for action. The estate of Giulio Sambon, a tion of puppets, musical instruments and ar- of the opera house between 2001 and ALLA atrical management. ‘‘My parents are in the Neapolitan antiquarian, was to be sold in tisanal objects, and 150,000 books and 2004. ‘‘Fifteen years ago, we had major talent side of this business, but I want to be a

1911. It consisted of many items related to related items. The latter include 10,300 let- structural problems,’’ admits Sartorio. So TEATRO producer,’’ she explains. ‘‘Our teachers are theater, not just opera, and attracted the at- ters from composers, directors and singers, when La Scala closed for a three-year renov- / from all over, and we get to work in major in- tention of the Milanese and also of J.P. Mor- 2,255 sketches of theater scenes, 3,000 ation, that also became an opportunity to stitutions when we graduate. That is the gan, acting for the Metropolitan Museum of posters, 6,000 libretti, 30 complete opera modernize the museum. While the theater beauty of this program.’’ New York. manuscripts and 7,000 photographs. moved to Teatro Ansaldo, the museum and The students practicing for ‘‘The Intrigue worthy of an Italian opera en- The curiosities include Puccini’s watch, library were transferred to a separate site Nutcracker’’ would agree. Former members

sued and, many maneuvers later, the collec- Rossini’s glasses, locks of Mozart’s hair, a near the Church of the Last Supper. BRESCIA-AMISANO of their ranks include Roberto Bolle and tion was en route to Milan, paid for in part by cast of Chopin’s hand and —among many The design of the restructured museum A group of dancers from the ballet school of the Accademia Teatro alla Scala. Carla Fracci. n contributions from private citizens of the items of Verdiana —his first spinet, his wasthe subject of vigorous discussion. Should it retain the ambience of the past or break with tradition and move into the fu- ture? Pier Luigi Pizzi, a noted set designer and director at La Scala, opted for a re-creation ROLEX CULTURE PARTNERS: of the atmosphere of the museum as it was SPOTLIGHT ON LA SCALA when it first opened. Today themuseum and library are under the direction of Renato Garavaglia, who has worked at La Scala since 1984. He oversees the permanent, temporary and traveling ex- hibits, a staff of 10 and an influx of 230,000

SCALA visitors a year. Many more are expected for the 2015 The Euronews ‘‘Musica’’ series Medici.tv offers live Webcasts and a Opera Online covers works of operas, ALLA World’s Fair in Milan. For that occasion,’’ goes behind the scenes at some large catalog of classical music opera houses, composers and says Sartorio, ‘‘we will be showing more cos- of the most outstanding opera videos. La Scala is one of the musicians, and productions. For its

TEATRO tumes and mounting new exhibits.’’ n and classical musical experiences preeminent opera houses featured Scala overview, go to www.opera- / in the world. To watch ‘‘Musica’’ on the site. To see the site’s online.com/items?q=scala. A new videos with Jonas Kaufmann, collection of videos from La Scala, article on Verdi, whose first opera Gustavo Dudamel and Daniel which includes operas as well as was produced at La Scala in 1839, Center stage: La Scala was produced by Barenboim at La Scala, go to the concerts by the house’s orchestra, is at www.opera-online.com/en/ the Creative Solutions department and did not involve the newspaper’s reporting or Web site at www.euronews.com/ go to www.medici.tv/#/teatro-alla- articles/in-the-footsteps-of-verdi-in- BRESCIA-AMISANO editorial departments. Text by CLAUDIA tag/la-scala. scala. santagata. n La Scala’s museum, housed in a building adjacent to the theater, is celebrating its 100th birthday. FLISI.