Page 29 - ARUBA TODAY

A29
PEOPLE & ARTS Thursday 31 May 2018
La Scala's 2018-19 season features Verdi, Woody Allen

By COLLEEN BARRY new productions and two Schicchi," alongside
Associated Press productions making their Kathleen Smith Belcher,
MILAN (AP) — The storied La Scala debut. who restaged the 2008
La Scala opera house "Attila" will be the second production in Los Angeles in
announced Wednesday gala premiere dedicated 2015-2016. Allen's "Schicchi"
that it will open the 2018- to Verdi's more youthful will play alongside a new
19 season with a new compositions, written La Scala production of
production of Verdi's when he was just 33 years Antonio Salieri's "Prima la
"Attila," continuing the old, following "Giovanna Musica Poi le Parole."
tradition of Italian opera, d'Arco" in 2015, said music "Everyone loves (Allen's)
while introducing some director Riccardo Chailly, films, maybe we can do
novelty, including Woody who will complete the a small festival," with a
Allen directing Puccini's trilogy in the future with cinematic institute, Pereira
"Gianni Schicchi." Verdi's "Macbeth." The said.
General manager three were composed The two short operas are Milan's mayor Giuseppe Sala, left, Italian conductor Riccardo
Alexander Pereira said between 1845 and 1847. part of La Scala's focus on Chailly, center, and La Scala's general director Alexander
he himself will appear in Russian bass Ildar bringing back Italian bel Pereira pose for photographers prior to the start of the press
Richard Strauss' "Ariadne Abdrazakov will sing the canto tradition, which next conference to present 2018/2019 season, in Milan, Italy.
auf Naxos," in a speaking title role opposite soprano season also will include Associated Press
role that he has reprised Saioa Hernandez as Rossini's "La Cenerentola,"
elsewhere and that he Odabella, singers that or Cinderella, Donizetti's will sing in Handel's "Giulio Chailly conducting two
quipped would be non- Chailly described as ideal "L'elisir d'amore," Cesare," part of a new Mahler symphonies, the 5th
paying at La Scala. for the parts. conducted by Michele three-year Baroque music and the 10th, while Zubin
Next year's season will Allen is expected to Gamba making his La program. The symphonic Mehta will conduct Anton
feature 15 operas, mostly personally follow the Scala debut. As previously season is comprised of Bruckner's Symphony No. 5
Italian, including nine direction of "Gianni announced, Cecilia Bartoli eight concerts, including next May.q

In this 1932 file photo, boxer Jack Johnson, the first black world
heavyweight champion, poses in New York City.
Associated Press

Sylvester Stallone making biopic
about boxer Jack Johnson

NEW YORK (AP) — Days months in prison in what
after the presidential Trump called "a racially-
pardon of Jack Johnson, motivated injustice."
Sylvester Stallone has Trump has said Stallone
announced plans for a was instrumental in
biopic on the first African- bringing Johnson's story to
American heavyweight his attention.
champion. Stallone's production
Stallone said Wednesday company said the film will
that his newly launched be fast-tracked with Metro
Balboa Productions will start Goldwyn Mayer Pictures.
with a film about Johnson. Stallone has said Johnson
On Thursday, Stallone was the basis for the
stood next to President character Apollo Creed
Donald Trump in the Oval in the "Rocky" films. The
Office as he signed a rare 71-year-old actor is
posthumous pardon to currently in production on
Johnson, who served 10 "Creed II" with MGM.q