The 2013 Opening of Opera Season at La Scala Ignites National Controversy
What’s the opera without a bit of drama? The opening of the La Scala opera season started off with some scandal when general music director of La Scala, Daniel Barenboim, decided to open the season with music by German conductor Richard Wagner. The Italian community has become pretty inflamed that a German composer would be chosen over the work of Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi considering 2013 marks the bicentennial anniversary of Verdi’s birth and that state of the Italian economy has been poor (treachery!) In addition, Verdi and Wagner were not the chummiest of colleagues and considered each other rivals. The choice by Director Barenboim was rumored to be the reason why Italian President Giorgio Napolitano didn’t show up at the season premiere of this year’s La Scala; however President Napolitano reassured Barenboim it was due to political business and that he felt the controversy to be “futile.”
On January 15th La Scala will perform a series of Verdi’s operas conducted by Daniel Harding, leading into a season that will also include works by Russian composer Alexander Raskatov and Italian composer Gioachino Rossini.
Lady Gaga Looks To Buy Gianni Versace's Former Milan Apartment
Lady Gaga has a love for all things Italian, from becoming buddies with Italian designer Donatella Versace to rumors of hunting for Italian sperm donors. The latest rumor is that the headline-making performer is looking for a bit of Italian real estate to call home. To be exact, Gaga is reportedly looking to purchase a place near 12 Via Gesu, an apartment inside which Gianni Versace lived and worked out of. Italian magazine Di Tutto is speculating that Gaga will take advantage of her neighborly proximity to Donatella and continue collaboration on an Italian take on “Haus of Gaga” – the performance art focused creative group responsible for Gaga’s attention-grabbing and often, controversial styles. Let’s hope she stays away from meat dresses… though, with the Italian love for food, who’s to say what type of edible wear she’ll be sporting next (Marinara war-paint anyone?)
While she no longer goes by surname, “Germanotta,” Lady Gaga seems to be proudly seeking out her Italian heritage. An Italian wedding to model boyfriend Taylor Kinney, possible spermination, as well as semi-permanent residency for the pop star may be in her near future.
