A Stunning Anna Netrebko in the Russian Edition of Vogue Magazine

The November issue of the Russian edition of Vogue Magazine has an interview and a really stunning collection of photos of Anna Netrebko by Peter Rigaud.

The interview and photo session were conducted at the Hotel Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom in April 2011, while the opera diva was singing the title role of Donizetti's Anna Bolena at the Wiener Staatsoper.

For the awesome photo session Anna wears a trench leather and polyester and a trench of gabardine, all by Jean Paul Gaultier, a Cashmere coat, leather boots, gloves and belt, all by Hermès, glasses by Prada, and a gold watch with diamonds, amethyst and enamel and earrings in white gold with pearls and diamonds, all by Chopard.

Don Giovanni, Teatro alla Scala, Milano 7. Dec 2011

One of the biggest and most eagerly awaited operatic events of the year is the Teatro alla Scala's season opening, which traditionally takes place every year on 7. December.

This year, la Scala opens the 2011/2012 season with a new production of Mozart's masterpiece Don Giovanni, directed by Robert Carsen, conducted by the brand new Musical Director Daniel Barenboim and with a de-luxe stellar cast including Peter Mattei in the title role, Anna Netrebko as Donna Anna, Barbara Frittoli as Donna Elvira, Bryn Terfel as Leporello and Giuseppe Filianoti as Don Ottavio.

Anna Netrebko made her first performance at la Scala in a concert conducted by Valery Gergiev on 7. Mar 1998. She came back to the famous Milano's opera house on 4. and 5. Oct 2000 to sing the role of Natasha Rostova in Prokofiev's masterpiece War and Peace conducted by Valery Gergiev. Now, eleven years later, the Diva Assoluta del Mondo, returns to la Scala to open the 2011/2012 season, making her opera house role debut as Donna Anna in Mozart's Don Giovanni, one of her signature roles that has previously sung at the Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg (2002), Salzburger Festspiele in Salzburg (2002, 2003), Royal Opera House, London (2003), Concertgebouw, Amsterdam (2003), Wiener Staatsoper, Wien (2004), Met Tour to Japan, Kobe and Tokyo (2006), Royal Opera House, London (2007), Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg (2007) and Opernhaus Zürich, Zürich (2011).

DON GIOVANNI
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Teatro alla Scala Milano 7. December 2011

New Teatro alla Scala Production
Running Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Sung in Italian with electronic libretto in Italian, English

DIRECTION
Conductor: Daniel Barenboim
Staging: Robert Carsen
Sets: Michael Levine
Costumes: Brigitte Reiffenstuel
Lights: Robert Carsen and Peter Van Praet
Choreography: Philippe Giraudeau

CAST
Don Giovanni: Peter Mattei
Il Commendatore: Kwangchul Youn
Donna Anna: Anna Netrebko
Don Ottavio: Giuseppe Filianoti
Donna Elvira: Barbara Frittoli
Leporello: Bryn Terfel
Zerlina: Anna Prohaska
Masetto: Štefan Kocán

SYNOPSIS
Synopsis in english

LIBRETTO
Libretto in Italian

BROADCASTS
The Premiere on 7. Dec will be broadcasted live on TV (Rai5) and on the radio (Rai Radio3). Pre-recorded broadcasts will be replayed on Sky Classica (in clear), on Arte-ZDF, and on TV Kultura in Russia (live). The performance will be projected live in Milan on a big screen in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, in 3 theatres (Atir Teatro Ringhiera, Auditorium Cam zona 3 and Teatro della cooperativa), in the prisons of San Vittore and Bollate as well as in more than 500 cinemas in Italy and all over the world.

PRESS REVIEWS

"Depuis ses débuts en 2002 au Mariinsky de Saint-Pétersbourg puis au Festival de Salzbourg, la Donna Anna d'Anna Netrebko est superlative. La jeune Autrichienne possède tout : le physique, le charme et surtout ce métal chaud du timbre, l'aisance dans l'aigu, la puissance de projection, l'innombrable des nuances."
La Scala ouvre avec un "Don Giovanni" patelin | Marie-Aude Roux | Le Monde, 7. Dec 2011

"Some men say women talk too much, so they never listen. But when the hottest soprano in the world opens her mouth, even heads of state turn. Russian diva Anna Netrebko was met with a 10-minute standing ovation as she opened the season at La Scala."
Russian star meets famous seducer | RT, 8. Dec 2011

"Anna Netrebko, in the role of Donna Anna, was the star of the evening"
Mario Monti, Italian Premier, Attends La Scala Season Opener 'Don Giovanni' | The Huffington Post, 8. Dec 2011

"Anna Netrebko’s richly resonant voice is heard to seething effect in the accompanied recitative when Donna Anna recognizes Don Giovanni as her father’s killer, a powerful moment in a compelling portrayal."
At La Scala, a Buoyant Opening Amid Austerity | George Loomis | The New York Times, 9. Dec 2011

"Netrebko's Donna Anna was thrilling in her nobility and ease of execution. She is on grand form."
A tale of two Italian opera cities | Fionna Maddocks | The Guardian, 11. Dec 11 2011

"Anna Netrebko ha di Donna Anna la tinta lunare, il bellissimo legato"
Mozart giocoso e vero | Carla Moreni | Il Sole 24 Ore, 11. Dec 2011

"Anna Netrebko’s Donna Anna was a sumptuous, house-filling performance that points her in the direction of Butterfly and Tosca."
Don Giovanni, La Scala, Milan | Andrew Clark | Financial Times, 11. Dec 2011

VIDEOCLIPS

Don Giovanni, Preview for Young People, Teatro alla Scala, Milano 4. Dec 2011

Photo: Giulia Bonelli

The Preview for Young People of the new Robert Carsen's production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, conducted by Daniel Barenboim and featuring a cast of stars, has been performed on 4. Decemebr 2011 at the Teatro alla Scala in Milano. The stellar cast, the same one that will open the Scala's 2011-2012 Season on 7. Dec 2011, included Peter Mattei (Don Giovanni), Anna Netrebko (Donna Anna), Giuseppe Filianoti (Don Ottavio), Barbara Frittoli (Donna Elvira) and Bryn Terfel (Leporello).

Anna Netrebko makes her role debut at la Scala as Donna Anna, one of her signature roles which has previously sung at the Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg (2002), Salzburger Festspiele in Salzburg (2002, 2003), Royal Opera House, London (2003), Concertgebouw, Amsterdam (2003), Wiener Staatsoper, Wien (2004), Met Tour to Japan, Kobe and Tokyo (2006), Royal Opera House, London (2007), Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg (2007) and Opernhaus Zürich, Zürich (2011).

DON GIOVANNI
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Teatro alla Scala Milano 4. December 2011

New Teatro alla Scala Production
Running Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Sung in Italian with electronic libretto in Italian, English

DIRECTION
Conductor: Daniel Barenboim
Staging: Robert Carsen
Sets: Michael Levine
Costumes: Brigitte Reiffenstuel
Lights: Robert Carsen and Peter Van Praet
Choreography: Philippe Giraudeau

CAST
Don Giovanni: Peter Mattei
Il Commendatore: Kwangchul Youn
Donna Anna: Anna Netrebko
Don Ottavio: Giuseppe Filianoti
Donna Elvira: Barbara Frittoli
Leporello: Bryn Terfel
Zerlina: Anna Prohaska
Masetto: Štefan Kocán

SYNOPSIS
Synopsis in english

BROADCASTS
The Premiere on 7. Dec will be broadcasted live on TV (Rai5) and on the radio (Rai Radio3). Pre-recorded broadcasts will be replayed on Sky Classica (in clear), on Arte-ZDF, and on TV Kultura in Russia (live). The performance will be projected live in Milan on a big screen in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, in 3 theatres (Atir Teatro Ringhiera, Auditorium Cam zona 3 and Teatro della cooperativa), in the prisons of San Vittore and Bollate as well as in more than 500 cinemas in Italy and all over the world.

REVIEWS
The following review has been kindly written for the Blog by the freelance journalist Giulia Bonelli.

Don Giovanni Preview at Teatro alla Scala
By Giulia Bonelli 

Watching for ten euros a cast of stars in one of the most famous theatres in the world: once a year, this is possible at La Scala of Milan. Yesterday, three days before the 2011/2012 season opening night, a preview was dedicated to young people under 30. 

Robert Carsen directed a new production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, conducted by Daniel Barenboim and featuring some of the best opera celebrities. All the tickets were sold out one month ago in a few hours, with people queuing in front of the box office since the night before. A long-awaited event for young opera lovers, who could occupy the same seats costing up to 2000 euros in the occasion of the 7th December premiere 

The stalls invaded by young smiley faces were an unusual scenario: someone was smartly dressed up, someone was wearing jeans and t-shirts. But everybody was there for the same reason, enjoying a great opera with a great conductor and great singers. 

A few minutes before the beginning of the show the excitement was high. Then, a breathtaking scene: over the first thundering notes of the Overture, Don Giovanni (Peter Mattei) went up to the stage running from the public side and drew the curtain down with a sharp movement. A glittering mirror reflecting the theatre was thus revealed, with a kind of “show into the show” that continued for the whole performance. Don Giovanni was the only real director of this show. He magnetized all the other characters with his seductive power, which in Carsen’s intention was constantly addressed to the public. 

His first victim is, of course, Donna Anna, magnificently played by Anna Netrebko. Her hidden passion for Don Giovanni is made explicit since the beginning, and the Non sprear se non m’uccidi duet is actually an erotic exchange. 

If Donna Anna lives a suffered interior conflict, Donna Elvira (Barbara Frittoli) is consumed by an angry passion, talking both about revenge and desperation. 

All these feelings are made stronger by a scenography full of symbols, where the audience turns out to be part of the show orchestrated by Don Giovanni,“il dissoluto punito”, the punished dissolute that in the end may not be punished at all. 

Mozart expert Peter Mattei gave Don Giovanni strength and energy, while his beleaguered servant Leporello became comic in the excellent interpretation of bass-baritone Bryn Terfel. 

But the most touching performance was Anna Netrebko’s: she was able to show all the nuances of Donna Anna’s complex character, unifying a great singing with an elegant and moving acting. Her II act aria Non mi dir bell’idol mio got a very long ovation, which exploded in the final curtain calls.

PHOTOS
Check out also the Scala's website to see a collection of backstage photos from the rehearsals.

Don Giovanni - Preview for Young People, Teatro alla Scala, Milano 4. Dec 2011. Photo: Giulia Bonelli

Don Giovanni - Preview for Young People, Teatro alla Scala, Milano 4. Dec 2011. Photo: Giulia Bonelli

Don Giovanni - Preview for Young People, Teatro alla Scala, Milano 4. Dec 2011. Photo: Giulia Bonelli

VIDEOCLIPS

Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott withdraw from the New Year's Eve concerts in Dresden

Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott have withdrawn from the two New Year's Eve Concerts at the Semperoper Dresden on 30. and 31. December 2011.

Anna Netrebko, Piotr Beczala and Erwin Schrott, with Christian Thielemann conducting the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, were scheduled on two New Year's Eve concerts at the Semperoper Dresden on 30. and 31. December to perform Highlights from Franz Lehár's Operettas.

A press release, announcing the withdrawal of Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott, was published on the official website of the Semperoper Dresden on 30. November 2011. The sopranos Angela Denoke and Ana Maria Labin have been chosen to replace them.

The two concerts were sold out.

Anna Netrebko in a new production of Mozart's Don Giovanni opens the Scala's 2011/2012 Season

A new production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, directed by Robert Carsen, conducted by Daniel Barenboim and featuring a cast of stars, opens the 2011/2012 Season at the Teatro alla Scala in Milano on 7. December 2011.

Anna Netrebko makes her role debut at la Scala as Donna Anna, one of her signature roles that has previously sung at the Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg (2002), Salzburger Festspiele in Salzburg (2002, 2003), Royal Opera House, London (2003), Concertgebouw, Amsterdam (2003), Wiener Staatsoper, Wien (2004), Met Tour to Japan, Kobe and Tokyo (2006), Royal Opera House, London (2007), Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg (2007) and Opernhaus Zürich, Zürich (2011).

A Preview dedicated to young people will be performed on 4. December.

Don Giovanni's pre-dress rehearsal has been performed tonight at 6 pm. Daniel Barenboim has conducted new Robert Carsen's staging, with Peter Mattei, Kwangchul Youn, Anna Netrebko, Giuseppe Filianoti, Barbara Frittoli, Bryn Terfel, Anna Prohaska and Štefan Kocán.

BROADCASTS
The Premiere will be broadcasted live on TV (Rai5) and on the radio (Rai Radio3). Pre-recorded broadcasts will be replayed on Sky Classica (in clear), on Arte-ZDF, and on TV Kultura in Russia (live). The performance will be projected live in Milan on a big screen in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, in 3 theatres (Atir Teatro Ringhiera, Auditorium Cam zona 3 and Teatro della cooperativa), in the prisons of San Vittore and Bollate as well as in more than 500 cinemas in Italy and all over the world.

DON GIOVANNI
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

New Teatro alla Scala Production
From 7 December 2011 to 14 January 2012
Running Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Sung in Italian with electronic libretto in Italian, English

DIRECTION
Conductor: Daniel Barenboim/Karl Heinz Steffens (January 2012)
Staging: Robert Carsen
Sets: Michael Levine
Costumes: Brigitte Reiffenstuel
Lights: Robert Carsen and Peter Van Praet
Choreography: Philippe Giraudeau

CAST
Don Giovanni: Peter Mattei (7, 10, 13, 23, 28 December; 4, 8, 12, 14 January), Ildebrando D’Arcangelo (16, 20 December)
Il Commendatore: Kwangchul Youn (7, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23, 28 December),  Alexander Tsymbalyuk (4, 8, 12, 14 January)
Donna Anna: Anna Netrebko (7, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23 December), Tamar Iveri (28 December; 4, 8, 12, 14 January)
Don Ottavio: Giuseppe Filianoti (7, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23, 28 December), John Osborn (4, 8, 12, 14 January)
Donna Elvira: Barbara Frittoli (7, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23, 28 December),  Maria Agresta (4, 8, 12, 14 January)
Leporello: Bryn Terfel (7, 10, 13, 16, 20 December), Ildebrando D’Arcangelo (23, 28 December; 4, 8, 12, 14 January)
Zerlina: Anna Prohaska (7, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23, 28 December), Ekaterina Sadovnikova (4, 8, 12, 14 January)
Masetto: Štefan Kocán (7, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23, 28 December), Kostas Smoriginas (4, 8, 12, 14 January)

SYNOPSIS
Synopsis in english

PHOTOS
Backstage photos from la Scala

Claus Guth's production of Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Berliner Staatsoper in Jun/Jul 2012

Berliner Staatsoper has decided to stage Claus Guth's famous Salzburg production of Mozart's masterpiece Don Giovanni in June/July 2012, instead of the initially announced Teatro alla Scala's co-production directed by Robert Carsen.

Erwin Schrott (Leporello), Christopher Malman (Don Giovanni), Don Giovanni, Salzburger Festspiele 2011, Haus für Mozart, Salzburg 20. Aug 2011. Photo: Herbert

DON GIOVANNI
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Berliner Staatsoper im Schiller Theater
24., 27., 30. Jun, 3., 6. Jul 2012

Musikalische Leitung: Daniel Barenboim
Inszenierung: Claus Guth
Bühnenbild | Kostüme: Christian Schmidt
Licht: Olaf Winter
Chor: Eberhard Friedrich

Don Giovanni: Christopher Maltman
Donna Anna: Anna Netrebko
Don Ottavio: Giuseppe Filianoti
Komtur: Alexander Tsymbalyuk
Donna Elvira: Dorothea Röschmann
Leporello: Erwin Schrott
Masetto: Stefan Kocan
Zerlina: Anna Prohaska

Staatskapelle Berlin Staatsopernchor

Anna Netrebko at the Salzburger Festspiele 2012

Today the program of the Salzburger Festspiele 2012 has been unveiled.

As expected, the programme includes a new production of Puccini's La Bohème directed by Damiano Michieletto, starring Anna Netrebko as Mimí and Piotr Beczala as Rodolfo. The rest of the cast was unveiled today and includes Nino Machaidze as Musetta and Carlo Colombara as Colline. Daniele Gatti conducts the Wiener Philharmoniker.

The premiere of La Bohème will be held at the Grosses Festspielhaus on 1. Aug 2012. The full run includes seven performances.

La Bohème, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburger Festspiele, Salzburg 1., 4., 7., 10., 13., 15., 18. Aug 2012

PROGRAM DETAIL

Giacomo Puccini • La bohème

Opera in four acts
Text by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica based on the novel Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger (1822–1861)

New production In Italian with German and English surtitles
Co-production with Shanghai Grand Theatre

LEADING TEAM
Daniele Gatti, Conductor
Damiano Michieletto, Stage Director
Paolo Fantin, Set Design
Carla Teti, Costume Design
Martin Gebhardt, Lighting
Kathrin Brunner, Dramaturgy
Ernst Raffelsberger, Chorus Master

CAST
Piotr Beczala, Rodolfo, a poet
Anna Netrebko, Mimì
Massimo Cavalletti, Marcello, a painter
Nino Machaidze, Musetta
Alessio Arduini, Schaunard, a musician
Carlo Colombara, Colline, a philosopher
Davide Fersini, Benoît, their landlord
N.N., Alcindoro, a state councillor
Member of the Young Singers Project, Parpignol

Vienna Philharmonic
Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera
Chorus Salzburg Festival Children's Choir