La Scala

La Scala stagehands have no right to stay away from work on public holidays, an Italian appeals court has ruled -- overturning a verdict that had threatened performances such as the opera house's Christmas concert. The ruling this week came a little more than two weeks before the Arcimboldi theater -- opera's temporary home in Milan during La Scala's 30-month renovation -- hosts the season's opening night. "Without this solution ...

So, after 76 years of Puccini's "Turandot," performed with a glorious climax by Franco Alfano, Luciano Berio is commissioned to rewrite the ending ("Bridge to the Future," by Jan Breslauer, May 26). Maybe Alfano's contribution isn't perfect, but Berio's work is a totally forgettable anticlimax that adds nothing of value to Puccini's masterpiece while subtracting much splendor. Calendar's story says Berio's ending wasn't ready to premiere at La Scala. Maybe so; however, his substitution was unlikely to be tolerated by the demanding and musically astute Milanese, and that's a much more likely reason that L.A. Opera was selected for this premiere.

Radiant following her performance in "Giselle," a production she choreographed, prima ballerina Sylvie Guillem joined with members of the Teatro alla Scala Ballet Co. to celebrate the show's U.S. premiere at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. "I'm very happy that La Scala was able to be here and that I was the one to bring them," Guillem said during last weekend's post-performance bash at Scott's Seafood Grill & Bar. "They have given so much of themselves in this one."

Sylvie Guillem can get her leg up behind her ear faster than the rest of us can blink, one of the charms that has placed her among the world's most sought-after ballerinas.

In "Blackouts and Businesses: Dying for an Exemption?" [June 14], my restaurant was audaciously portrayed. Reporter Joseph Menn called me the day before the release of the article requesting an interview. I inquired about the type of article he was going to write since I in no way wanted my restaurant to be portrayed in a negative light. Since he could not give me a definitive answer, I spoke to him off the record regarding the strict Health Department laws regarding maintenance of proper refrigeration temperatures and possible contamination that can take place if temperatures are interrupted.

Viviana Durante will dance the title role of "Carmen" with La Scala Ballet during the company's July 10-15 engagement at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. Durante, formerly with London's Royal Ballet, replaces Alessandra Ferri, who has withdrawn from the tour because of her pregnancy.

Viviana Durante will dance the title role of "Carmen" with La Scala Ballet during the company's July 10-15 engagement at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. Durante, formerly with London's Royal Ballet, replaces Alessandra Ferri, who has withdrawn from the tour because she is pregnant. The Milan-based company also has canceled a performance of "Carmen" scheduled for July 12 to have more time to set up and rehearse Sylvie Guillem's production of "Giselle," July 13-15 at OCPAC.

The first West Coast appearance of Italy's La Scala Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet's Southern California premiere of Rudolf Nureyev's last work as a choreographer will highlight the 2001 International Classic Dance season at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Also in the offing are the first OCPAC performances by the Eifman Ballet of St.

You might need to call him Dr. Thomas Hampson now. The acclaimed American opera star has just received an honorary doctorate from the San Francisco Conservatory. "It's very flattering, probably the only doctor's degree I'll ever get," Hampson, 44, said modestly in a recent phone interview from San Francisco. He was in the City by the Bay to sing and teach before his recital tonight at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

La Scala, Italy's legendary opera house, is staying open after all, meaning fans' right to spend up to $200 for a ticket won't be interrupted--at least not for several years. The Milan City Council--in effect, La Scala's board of directors--had decided late last year to close the neoclassic 1778 gem for long-overdue renovation to prepare for the centennial celebration of composer Giuseppe Verdi's death.