Daniela Dessì and Fabio Armiliato, opera's double-deuce coperaulate, were featured in this month's "Chi" magazine. Posing in front of Puccini's birth house in Lucca (and the famous statue from 1994 by Vito Tongiani), the two artists honor the Italian composer's 150th birth year anniversary.
Both singers have links to the great maestro of Italian opera. Fabio's mother was born in Lucca with her house in proximity to the Puccini museum. And you can't mention modern interpretations of Puccini without mentioning Daniela Dessì -- especially her Floria Tosca, which she recently sang to open the opera season in Trieste (with Armiliato as Cavaradossi).
Fans in NYC can catch them on December 22, 2008 for a special concert in homage to Puccini's anniversary. Hosted by Renata Scotto, the concert lists appearances by Francisco Casanova, Aprile Millo, Francesca Patané (and others T.B.A.), singing with the Opera Orchestra of New York.
Here in Milan, we're looking forward to Dessì's Scala January 19, 2009 recital, where she breaks the news that she'll be singing works by Puccini -- but not his opera arias! Whut whut?! We are holding onto our Stephen Jones hats in anticipation...
Below, Fabio plays Puccini's old piano for Daniela.