Intermezzo

Edita Gruberova, the last diva

A fascinating hour-long German documentary (with English subtitles).

Italians have no idea about opera says Gruberova

Feisty pensioner Edita Gruberova  has let rip at Italian opera audiences. In Munich to launch her summer concert series of Bellini's La Straniera, she said the Italians have no idea about opera any more. They don't know when to clap! They haven't even heard of Bellini!

Earlier in the week she took a pop at the Bavarian State Opera, her staunch employer for many years. Complaining that the house hasn't booked her for any new roles recently, the 65 year old diva announced she's terminating their relationship from 2014.

Edita Gruberova, Gran Coloratura

Lucrezia Borgia - Nationaltheater Munich, 25 July 2011

Created two years ago as a star vehicle for the eternal Edita Gruberova, Christof Loy's production is well-known to those interested in such things via the DVD which appeared soon afterwards. Loy's latterday predilection for monochrome, minimalist sets is manifested in a stage that remains resolutely bare except for the occasional chair. But then who goes to the opera to admire the furniture (apart from Amazon reviewers)?