The Italian star who can’t get a date at La Scala
mainLuca Pisaroni, 41, is a sought-after bass-baritone at the Met, Covent Garden, Zurich, Vienna, Paris, Salzburg – just about everywhere except his native Italy.
His will finally make his Scala debut in February. What took them so long?
Luca talks to Graham Spicer in Milan:
I grew up musically outside Italy. I began my career outside and for some reason I have only performed in Italy very rarely. I can’t invite myself, so there’s nothing I can do.
I don’t think that the theatres really ‘know’ me. I certainly haven’t had hundreds of offers and always said ‘no’, and sometimes when they ask me nowadays it is for next season and I’m all booked up.
Of course, to be honest, I’m not happy about it, not only because it is my home country but also because Italy is the home of opera, so not to be asked is not pleasant…
Full interview here.
Let’s also add that 90% of Italian opera houses pay significantly less and scandalously late (we are talking about 3/4 years at Teatro Bellini in Catania for example). La Scala might be one of the very few exceptions!
La Scala, in my experience, pays very promptly.
Ask for “money up front” if you gig in Italy, otherwise don’t bother.