Opera Chic

Milan's Mayor Says Yes To 150 Trees For Downtown (Abbado & Piano Wanted 3,500); Coca-Cola Ready To Pitch In

Letizia Moratti, Milan's Mayor already said on the record (see video above) that she thinks Renzo Piano's and Claudio Abbado's project to plant more trees in downtown Milan is too expensive. Despite city hall's opposition to the project, though, Corriere della Sera reports today that some corporate sponsors -- Coca Cola is ready to pitch in, for example -- are trying to find the necessary 10 million euros.

The mayor would approve a much smaller plan for Milan's downtown (from the cathedral square, Piazza Duomo, to the Castello Sforzesco): 150 trees instead of the 3,500 in Piano's detailed plan (see drawing below).

Lame?

Lame.

Renzo Piano To Design New Opera House In Athens, Parthenon To Become Redundant Bunch Of Old Rocks

As of now, the Parthenon is the most impressive building in Athens.

That's bound to change soon since Renzo Piano, has been commissioned to build Athens' new opera house and national library.

The $442 million project will be funded with an endowment from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. Upon completion, it will be handed over to the Greek state.