Celebrating the 221st anniversary of Belliniโs birth, born in 1801 Vincenzo Bellini was a famous Italian composer of the mid-19th century, born in Catania, Sicily, in 1801. His fame continued into the 20th century and he is still popular today. He composed many instrumental and operatic works, including several operas. Some of his most famous compositions include the ‘Cinema Sinfu’ and ‘Symphony No. 1 in … Continue reading Vincenzo Bellini ๐จ๐ถ๐ฌ๐ง
The definition of Romantic music encompasses a rather long period of time in Western music, between the end of the 18th century and the middle of the 19th century. The Romantic period takes place after the Classical period and the Modern music of the 20h century. During its early phase, composers progressively moved away from the schemes of the Classical period and found inspiration in … Continue reading My favourite early Romantic composers ๐น๐๐ถ
The oldest functioning opera house in the world The San Carlo Theatre is an opera house in Naples, Italy. The theatre was opened on 25 December 1737 by Charles VII of Naples and is now the oldest functioning opera house in the world. The building was designed by Nicola Antonio Lazzarini, who also designed many other theatres around Italy at the same time. This style … Continue reading Teatro San Carlo, Naples ๐ถ๐น๐
๐ฌ๐ง Inaugurated in 1778 as the new royal and ducal theater in Milan, financed by the Milanese noble families, it has been one of the most prestigious musical institutions in the world for almost 250 years. Composers, librettists, conductors, singers, directors and many other artists who revolve around the world of opera, ballet and classical music have in the Teatro alla Scala in Milan a … Continue reading Teatro alla Scala, Milano ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น
In celebration of Ludovico’s 65th birthday For almost 30 years I have been following Ludovico Einaudi as one of my favourite musicians, a composer who through his minimalist compositions expresses emotions and moods that resonate so much with my feelings. Whether you listen to his studio albums or attend one of his live concerts, his music is so emotionally evocative that it makes your spirit … Continue reading Ludovico Einaudi ๐น๐ผ๐ถ
Celebrating the 117th anniversary of his birth An iconic figure in British contemporary music, Benjamin Britten was a composer, conductor and pianist of international fame, with a significant number of operas and other vocal work making him a leading composer in this genre and most probably the most popular opera composer of the modern age. He was the first composer ever to be awarded with … Continue reading Benjamin Britten ๐น๐ผ๐ถ
Celebrating the 207th anniversary of his birth ๐ฌ๐ง Composer of some of the most popular operas put on stage around the world – Rigoletto, Aida, Falstaff, Il trovatore, La traviata – Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) was also linked to the political movement which sought the reunification of Italy. Some of his early operas are considered also a contribution to the building of a nationalist feeling. Verdi … Continue reading Giuseppe Verdi ๐ผ๐น๐ฎ๐น
Marking the 157th anniversary of Claude Debussy’s, born in 1862 In 1884 a young Claude Debussy won the prestigious composition prize Prix de Rome, which entailed a residence programme at Villa Medici in Rome, where this portrait was painted and is currently exhibited. The stifling environment at the French Academy of Rome was strengthening his resolution to follow his own ways for artistic expression: “I … Continue reading Claude Debussy ๐ผ๐ถ๐ซ๐ท
Composer of some of the most popular operas put on stage around the world – Tosca, Madame Buttefly, Boheme, Turandot, Manon Lescaut – Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) also had world-wide recognised fame during his life. By the time of Puccini’s death in 1924, he had earned $4 million from his works. Still today, three of his operas (La bohรจme, Tosca, and Madame Butterfly) are amongst the … Continue reading Puccini’s portrait ๐ผ๐น๐ฎ๐น
๐ฌ๐ง Originally inaugurated in 1903 and almost completely destroyed by a devasting fire in 1991, it took an enormous effort to be reconstructed and restored to its former glory. In 2009 the Teatro Petruzzelli, the cultural gem and largest theatre of Apulia, was re-inaugurated. Since then The Petruzzelli Foundation is managing the venue and its productions that span to opera, ballet, prose, classical and more … Continue reading Teatro Petruzzelli, Bari ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น
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