Friar to open heavy metal concert An Italian Capuchin friar is gearing up to take the stage at the most important festival on the country's heavy metal calendar in Bologna this weekend.

‘La Grassa’

World's first shoulder transplant carried out in Bologna An Italian hospital has carried out the world's first shoulder transplant.

Bologna to open free opera school Bologna's municipal theatre said Wednesday it will open a new opera school for would-be Pavarottis, directors and conductors in the autumn.

One of the oldest and most stately palazzi in the centre of Bologna is in danger of being "wrecked", Italy's conservation body Italia Nostra warns .

The association has launched an appeal to Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli to stop a local bank building a new museum in 14th-century Palazzo Pepoli's courtyard .