Mark Milhofer Mark Milhofer Mark Milhofer is an English operatic tenor, who has performed at major international opera houses, beginning his career in Italy. Besides the standard repertoire, the singer has appeared in historically informed performances such as Monterverdi's "L'incoronazione di Poppea", in 20th-century operas by Benjamin Britten and Gian Carlo Menotti, and in premieres of new operas. Born in England, Milhofer studied voice as a choral scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford. He studied further at the Guildhall School of Music in London. He appeared as Giannetto in Rossini's "La gazza ladra" with the British Youth Opera, and was then invited to
La pietra del paragone La pietra del paragone La pietra del paragone (The Touchstone) is an opera, or melodramma giocoso, in two acts by Gioachino Rossini, to an original Italian libretto by Luigi Romanelli. "La pietra del paragone" was first performed at La Scala, Milan, on 26 September 1812. It was the composer's first commission from a major opera house and was an instant success, being performed 53 times during its first season. Napoleon's Viceroy in Milan, Eugène de Beauharnais, was so impressed by the opera that he wrote to the Minister of the Interior, "You will kindly arrange for Maestro Joachin Rossini to