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THE OPERA HOUSE, a new film by award-winning documentary filmmaker Susan Froemke, surveys a remarkable period of the Metropolitan Opera’s rich history and a time of great change for New York. Featuring rarely seen archival footage, stills, recent interviews, and a soundtrack of extraordinary Met performances, the film chronicles the creation of the Met’s storied home of the last 50 years, against the backdrop of the artists, architects, and politicians who shaped the cultural life of New York City in the ’50s and ’60s.
Among the notable figures in the film are famed soprano Leontyne Price, who opened the new Met in 1966 in Samuel Barber’s Antony and Cleopatra; Rudolf Bing, the Met’s imperious General Manager, who engineered the move from the old house to the new one; Robert Moses, the unstoppable city planner who bulldozed an entire neighborhood to make room for Lincoln Center; and Wallace Harrison, whose quest for architectural glory was never fully realized.
Inspired by a true story, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is the new award-winning five-star hit musical for today. Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. He is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.
John McCrea, Josie Walker, Tamsin Carroll, Lucie Shorthouse and Phil Nichol lead a twenty-four strong company and an eight-piece band that will ‘sweep you away on a tide of mischief, warmth and exuberance’ (Financial Times). With ‘songs that have the wow factor’ (The Times) by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells, and ‘hilarious’ book and lyrics ‘with delightful punch’ (Whatsonstage), by writer Tom MacRae, this funny, fabulous, feel-good, musical sensation has been thrilling audiences and critics alike.
Winner of 3 WhatsOnStage Awards including Best New Musical and nominated for 5 Olivier Awards, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will be broadcast live from the Apollo Theatre in London’s Shaftesbury Avenue to cinemas nationwide.
Muse, the world-renowned, multi-award-winning band, embarked on their ambitious Drones World Tour in 2015–16 and played over 130 shows across the globe. Known for pushing boundaries in terms of their stage production, the band performed “in the round” from the middle of the arena, with the stage design and configuration giving fans a 360-degree audio/visual sensory experience.
Central to the tour’s visuals were the Drones, which flew autonomously above the stage and across the audience, as well as giant projections that interacted with the band members on stage. This LED- and laser-laden spectacle perfectly complimented the band’s celebrated repertoire. Key songs performed on the tour included Psycho, Madness, Uprising, Plug in Baby, Supermassive Black Hole and Knights of Cydonia.
Constructed from footage shot at multiple shows, the concert movie includes never-before-seen special effects along with exclusive insights from the band in the introduction.
The New York Times has described the Muse live experience as “an endless build-up, heading for one peak after another”. Here, we find the band at the height of their powers, creating an unforgettable fan experience that demands to be seen on the big screen.
Inspired by a true story, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is the new award-winning five-star hit musical for today. Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. He is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.
John McCrea, Josie Walker, Tamsin Carroll, Lucie Shorthouse and Phil Nichol lead a twenty-four strong company and an eight-piece band that will ‘sweep you away on a tide of mischief, warmth and exuberance’ (Financial Times). With ‘songs that have the wow factor’ (The Times) by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells, and ‘hilarious’ book and lyrics ‘with delightful punch’ (Whatsonstage), by writer Tom MacRae, this funny, fabulous, feel-good, musical sensation has been thrilling audiences and critics alike.
Winner of 3 WhatsOnStage Awards including Best New Musical and nominated for 5 Olivier Awards, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will be broadcast live from the Apollo Theatre in London’s Shaftesbury Avenue to cinemas nationwide.
Recorded during 15/16 season
Soprano Anna Netrebko’s dramatic and vocal skills are on full display as Leonora, the Verdi heroine who sacrifices her life for the love of the title troubadour. Tenor Yonghoon Lee sings the ill-fated Manrico, baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky is his rival, and mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick is the mysterious gypsy with a troubled past. Marco Armiliato conducts Sir David McVicar’s gritty, Goya-inspired production.
Recorded during 06/07 season
Beloved American soprano Renée Fleming joins Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky for a performance of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece of unrequited young love. The opera’s sweeping dramatic arc of this opera—youthful longing, rejection, regret, a desperate plea that comes too late—is perfectly mirrored in Tchaikovsky’s achingly beautiful music and in the gorgeous lighting of this strikingly minimal production.
Recorded during 15/16 season
Nina Stemme, one of opera’s greatest dramatic sopranos, takes on the title role of the proud princess of legendary China. Tenor Marco Berti is Calàf, the brave prince who sings “Nessun dorma” and wins her hand. Franco Zeffirelli’s dazzling production is conducted by Paolo Carignani.
Recorded during 15/16 season
Anthony Minghella’s breathtaking production has thrilled audiences ever since its premiere in 2006. One of the world’s foremost Butterflys, soprano Kristine Opolais, takes on the title role, and Roberto Alagna sings Pinkerton, the naval officer who breaks Butterfly’s heart. Karel Mark Chichon conducts.
Regarded as one of the world's greatest tenors, Jonas Kaufmann has captivated audiences across the globe with his incredible voice. Join him this summer for a spectacular outdoor concert, captured live at Berlin's iconic Waldbuhne amphitheatre. The star tenor will perform famous arias and timeless Italian songs from his bestselling album Dolce Vita, in what promises to be a magical night of music under the stars.
Newly single, always wild, Julie throws a late night party. In the kitchen Jean and Kristina clean up to the din of the partygoers upstairs. When Julie provokes a flirtation and initiates a power struggle with Jean, the night plummets into scenes of brutality and a desperate fight for survival. Fuelled by social division, Strindberg’s 1888 masterpiece, Miss Julie, remains shocking and fiercely relevant. Polly Stenham’s edgy and fresh new adaptation brings the classic masterpiece up to date with a contemporary London setting. Directed by Carrie Cracknell (Medea, Oil) with Vanessa Kirby and Eric Kofi Abrefa as Julie and Jean.
Newly single, always wild, Julie throws a late night party. In the kitchen Jean and Kristina clean up to the din of the partygoers upstairs. When Julie provokes a flirtation and initiates a power struggle with Jean, the night plummets into scenes of brutality and a desperate fight for survival. Fuelled by social division, Strindberg’s 1888 masterpiece, Miss Julie, remains shocking and fiercely relevant. Polly Stenham’s edgy and fresh new adaptation brings the classic masterpiece up to date with a contemporary London setting. Directed by Carrie Cracknell (Medea, Oil) with Vanessa Kirby and Eric Kofi Abrefa as Julie and Jean.
Shakespeare’s tender, violent, moving and shocking play, King Lear sees two ageing fathers – one a King, one his courtier – reject the children who truly love them. This screening of Chichester Festival Theatre’s 2017 production stars Ian McKellen in the role of Lear, his intimate, intricate and conversational performance hailed as a triumph. The play received five-star reviews for its sell-out run and afterwards transferred to the West End for 100 performances only. This contemporary retelling of the great tragedy is directed by Jonathan Munby. Also starring are Sinéad Cusack as Kent and Kirsty Bushell as Regan. Not to be missed.
Superstar soprano Anna Netrebko makes her Met role debut as Aida in this thirtieth-anniversary revival of Sonja Frisell’s production. Verdi’s drama is set in Ancient Egypt, where the Ethiopian Aida lives a life of slavery. She and the Egyptian warrior Radamès, sung by tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko, have fallen in love, although the princess Amneris—mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili—is an implacable rival for Radamès’ affections. Then, when Radamès goes into battle, he unwittingly captures Aida’s father as a prisoner of war. As Aida and Radamès face impossible choices between patriotism, passion, and paternal bonds, the stage is set for tragedy. With heart-stopping music and spectacular set pieces, including the famous Triumphal March, Verdi’s towering masterpiece opens the new Live in HD season with a bang.
Superstar soprano Anna Netrebko makes her Met role debut as Aida in this thirtieth-anniversary revival of Sonja Frisell’s production. Verdi’s drama is set in Ancient Egypt, where the Ethiopian Aida lives a life of slavery. She and the Egyptian warrior Radamès, sung by tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko, have fallen in love, although the princess Amneris—mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili—is an implacable rival for Radamès’ affections. Then, when Radamès goes into battle, he unwittingly captures Aida’s father as a prisoner of war. As Aida and Radamès face impossible choices between patriotism, passion, and paternal bonds, the stage is set for tragedy. With heart-stopping music and spectacular set pieces, including the famous Triumphal March, Verdi’s towering masterpiece opens the new Live in HD season with a bang.
Shakespeare’s tender, violent, moving and shocking play, King Lear sees two ageing fathers – one a King, one his courtier – reject the children who truly love them. This screening of Chichester Festival Theatre’s 2017 production stars Ian McKellen in the role of Lear, his intimate, intricate and conversational performance hailed as a triumph. The play received five-star reviews for its sell-out run and afterwards transferred to the West End for 100 performances only. This contemporary retelling of the great tragedy is directed by Jonathan Munby. Also starring are Sinéad Cusack as Kent and Kirsty Bushell as Regan. Not to be missed.
103 album releases, 123 single hits and the equivalent of 20 years spent in the UK charts. Britain’s Ultimate Pop Star, Sir Cliff Richard is celebrating 60 years in the music business and he wants to invite you to the most fabulous big screen party of the year! The 60th Anniversary Tour will be recorded live on Friday 12 October and screened at Picturehouse cinemas on Sunday 14 October in celebration of Sir Cliff's 78th birthday. Featuring his greatest hits across six decades, this will be Cliff Richard's most exciting tour yet. His incredible energy and passion on stage will sweep you off your feet and be sure to have you swaying in the aisles.
Tony Award-winning director Darko Tresnjak gives Saint-Saëns’s biblical epic its first new Met production in twenty years. Blessed with immense physical strength, Hebrew leader Samson is sworn to defend his people and his faith from the Philistines. Though his body is strong, his heart is tender, though. When the Philistine Dalila sets out to seduce him, he is powerless to resist. The beautiful aria “Mon Coeur S’ouvre à ta Vvoix ” marks the climax of his seduction—and his betrayal. He reveals to Dalila the secret of his strength, and immediately, his fate is sealed. Imprisoned, blinded, and humiliated, how can Samson atone for his folly? Soprano Elīna Garanča and tenor Roberto Alagna sing the title roles, with Sir Mark Elder conducting.
Tony Award-winning director Darko Tresnjak gives Saint-Saëns’s biblical epic its first new Met production in twenty years. Blessed with immense physical strength, Hebrew leader Samson is sworn to defend his people and his faith from the Philistines. Though his body is strong, his heart is tender, though. When the Philistine Dalila sets out to seduce him, he is powerless to resist. The beautiful aria “Mon Coeur S’ouvre à ta Vvoix ” marks the climax of his seduction—and his betrayal. He reveals to Dalila the secret of his strength, and immediately, his fate is sealed. Imprisoned, blinded, and humiliated, how can Samson atone for his folly? Soprano Elīna Garanča and tenor Roberto Alagna sing the title roles, with Sir Mark Elder conducting.
Puccini’s gunpowder western returns to the stage where it premiered under Arturo Toscanini. Gold Rush, 1849. Bar owner Minnie looks after a crew of rough miners while fending off the unwanted attention of the local sheriff. When a tall, mysterious stranger walks into the bar, it looks as if her life is about to change. But the newcomer is not what he seems, and Minnie gets drawn into deadly peril. Boasting gunfights, poker games, and stagecoach robbers, La Fanciulla del West combines the action of a great adventure with the emotional punch of Italian opera. Soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek sings the role of the gunslinging heroine, alongside Jonas Kaufmann as the outlaw who steals her heart. Marco Armiliato conducts.
Puccini’s gunpowder western returns to the stage where it premiered under Arturo Toscanini. Gold Rush, 1849. Bar owner Minnie looks after a crew of rough miners while fending off the unwanted attention of the local sheriff. When a tall, mysterious stranger walks into the bar, it looks as if her life is about to change. But the newcomer is not what he seems, and Minnie gets drawn into deadly peril. Boasting gunfights, poker games, and stagecoach robbers, La Fanciulla del West combines the action of a great adventure with the emotional punch of Italian opera. Soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek sings the role of the gunslinging heroine, alongside Jonas Kaufmann as the outlaw who steals her heart. Marco Armiliato conducts.
From The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Exhibition on Screen journeys from the streets of Paris to the heart of a superb exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, whose extensive collection of Degas’ works is the most representative in Britain. With exclusive access to view rare and diverse works, this film tells a fascinating story of Degas’ pursuit for perfection through both experimentation with new techniques and lessons learnt from studying the past masters.
Sometimes frustrated by his own failings, Degas was consumed by obsessive principles and failing eye sight but his determination to capture everyday life was evident in every mark he made. Never fully satisfied, many of Degas’ drawings and sculptures were kept in private during his lifetime but, now through close examination, they can be seen as some of the most beautifully detailed and expressive works in the modern era. Using written accounts by friends and commentators, and the narration of letters written by Degas himself, this film reveals a more complex truth behind one of the most influential French artists of the late 19th-century and serves as an exploration of the complex workings of Degas’ artistic mind.
“Art is not a matter of what you see, but what you make other people see.” Edgar Degas
A young woman lies, cheats, and steals her way through life, propelled by compulsions she can neither control nor understand. A wealthy man catches her red-handed and blackmails her into marrying him. Will the truth about her past send her to jail or set her free? Based on the novel that also inspired Hitchcock’s celebrated thriller, composer Nico Muhly’s Marnie was co-commissioned and co-produced with the English National Opera and receives its U.S. premiere at the Met this season. Mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard stars in the title role, opposite baritone Christopher Maltman as her husband. Costume design is by Madonna’s collaborator of twenty years, Arianne Phillips, who created every item seen on stage in this stylish, vivid production.
Music: Herman Severin Løvenskiold
Choreography: Johan Kobborg after August Bournonville
Libretto: Adolphe Nourrit and Filippo Taglioni
Cast: The Bolshoi Principals, Soloists and Corps de Ballet
On the day of his wedding, the young Scotsman James is awoken with a kiss from an ethereal winged creature, a Sylph. Entranced by her beauty, James risks everything to pursue an unattainable love… La Sylphide is one of the world’s oldest surviving ballets, and a treasure in the Danish Bournonville style. Restaged for the Bolshoi by Bournonville expert Johan Kobborg, this production is the ultimate romantic masterpiece.
A young woman lies, cheats, and steals her way through life, propelled by compulsions she can neither control nor understand. A wealthy man catches her red-handed and blackmails her into marrying him. Will the truth about her past send her to jail or set her free? Based on the novel that also inspired Hitchcock’s celebrated thriller, composer Nico Muhly’s Marnie was co-commissioned and co-produced with the English National Opera and receives its U.S. premiere at the Met this season. Mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard stars in the title role, opposite baritone Christopher Maltman as her husband. Costume design is by Madonna’s collaborator of twenty years, Arianne Phillips, who created every item seen on stage in this stylish, vivid production.
From The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Exhibition on Screen journeys from the streets of Paris to the heart of a superb exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, whose extensive collection of Degas’ works is the most representative in Britain. With exclusive access to view rare and diverse works, this film tells a fascinating story of Degas’ pursuit for perfection through both experimentation with new techniques and lessons learnt from studying the past masters.
Sometimes frustrated by his own failings, Degas was consumed by obsessive principles and failing eye sight but his determination to capture everyday life was evident in every mark he made. Never fully satisfied, many of Degas’ drawings and sculptures were kept in private during his lifetime but, now through close examination, they can be seen as some of the most beautifully detailed and expressive works in the modern era. Using written accounts by friends and commentators, and the narration of letters written by Degas himself, this film reveals a more complex truth behind one of the most influential French artists of the late 19th-century and serves as an exploration of the complex workings of Degas’ artistic mind.
“Art is not a matter of what you see, but what you make other people see.” Edgar Degas
"Lechery, lechery, still wars and lechery: nothing else holds fashion"
Troilus and Cressida swear they will always be true to one another. But in the seventh year of the siege of Troy their innocence is tested, and exposed to the savage corrupting influence of war, with tragic consequences.
Virtuoso percussionist Evelyn Glennie collaborates with RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran to create a satirical futuristic vision of a world resounding with the rhythm of battle, broadcast live to cinemas from Shakespeare's home town.
The Greek army is encamped under the walls of Troy and, at the point at which the play begins, the war has reached stalemate. The Greeks are quarrelling amongst themselves. Achilles, their greatest champion, refuses to fight and has withdrawn to his tent with his lover, Patroclus. Equally at odds with themselves, the Trojans are debating the value of continuing the war merely for the sake of keeping Helen.
Troilus is much distracted from these military concerns by his love for Cressida, the daughter of a Trojan who has defected to the Greek camp. The young lovers are eagerly assisted by Cressida's uncle Pandarus, who acts as their go-between. However, after only one night together they are parted when Cressida is sent to join her father in the Greek camp. Almost immediately she betrays Troilus with the Greek Diomedes and, discovering this, Troilus is plunged into despair.
With the fall of Troy certain, Troilus vows revenge on Achilles.
It’s 1786 and King George III is the most powerful man in the world. But he, increasingly, succumbs to fits of lunacy, and ambitious politicians and the scheming Prince of Wales threaten to undermine the power of the Crown, and expose the fine line between King and man. Written by one of Britain’s best-loved playwrights Alan Bennett (The History Boys, The Lady In The Van), this epic play was also adapted into a BAFTA Award-winning film following its premiere on stage in 1991. The cast of this new production which is screened from Nottingham Playhouse includes Mark Gatiss and Adrian Scarborough. Directed by Adam Penford.
Music: Léon Minkus
Choreography: Alexei Fadeyechev
Libretto: Marius Petipa after Miguel de Cervantes
Cast: Ekaterina Krysanova (Kitri), Semyon Chudin (Basilio), Alexei Loparevich (Don Quixote), Olga Smirnova (The Queen of Dryads), Anna Tikhomirova (A street dancer), Kristina Karasyova (Mercedes)
Inspired by heroic stories of brave knights, Don Quixote of La Mancha and his faithful servant Sancho Panza set out on an adventure to meet his ideal woman, Dulcinea. Cervantes’ hero comes to life in the Bolshoi's critically acclaimed staging of this exalting performance. With panache and sparkling technique, principal dancers Ekaterina Krysanova and Semyon Chudin lead the spectacular cast of toreadors, flamenco dancers, gypsies, and dryads in virtuosic dancing that is quintessential Bolshoi.
It’s 1786 and King George III is the most powerful man in the world. But he, increasingly, succumbs to fits of lunacy, and ambitious politicians and the scheming Prince of Wales threaten to undermine the power of the Crown, and expose the fine line between King and man. Written by one of Britain’s best-loved playwrights Alan Bennett (The History Boys, The Lady In The Van), this epic play was also adapted into a BAFTA Award-winning film following its premiere on stage in 1991. The cast of this new production which is screened from Nottingham Playhouse includes Mark Gatiss and Adrian Scarborough. Directed by Adam Penford.
New Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin launches his tenure by conducting Verdi’s timeless tragedy. Worldly courtesan Violetta, sung by soprano Diana Damrau, has grown tired of her dissolute life. When the pure-hearted Alfredo—tenor Juan Diego Flórez—declares his love for her, she leaves everything behind to live with him. But his family’s reputation is ruined by his association with her, and Violetta is torn between her feelings for Alfredo and her desire to protect him from scandal. Urged by the young man’s father, she tears herself away and returns to her old life. Alfredo, not knowing the real reason for her apparent betrayal, is heartbroken – and bent on revenge. Directed by Michael Mayer, this new production features a dazzling eighteenth-century setting that changes with the seasons.
New Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin launches his tenure by conducting Verdi’s timeless tragedy. Worldly courtesan Violetta, sung by soprano Diana Damrau, has grown tired of her dissolute life. When the pure-hearted Alfredo—tenor Juan Diego Flórez—declares his love for her, she leaves everything behind to live with him. But his family’s reputation is ruined by his association with her, and Violetta is torn between her feelings for Alfredo and her desire to protect him from scandal. Urged by the young man’s father, she tears herself away and returns to her old life. Alfredo, not knowing the real reason for her apparent betrayal, is heartbroken – and bent on revenge. Directed by Michael Mayer, this new production features a dazzling eighteenth-century setting that changes with the seasons.
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: Yuri Grigorovich
Libretto: Yuri Grigorovich
Cast: The Bolshoi Principals, Soloists and Corps de Ballet
On Christmas Eve, Marie’s Nutcracker doll magically transforms into a prince and their wonderful adventure begins. The holiday classic returns to the majestic Bolshoi stage for a live broadcast of a timeless story, The Nutcracker, taking audiences of all ages on a magical journey through a world of enchantment complete with dancing snowflakes and dolls that have come to life, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.
For the first time at the Met, soprano Anna Netrebko sings the role of Adriana Lecouvreur, the eighteenth-century actress whose real-life intrigues inspired Cilea’s tragic opera. Adriana is adored by many but loves only Maurizio, sung by tenor (Piotr Beczała), who adores her in return. Maurizio desperately tries to extricate himself from his previous lover, the Princess deof Bouillon— mezzo-soprano (Anita Rachvelishvili). When the princess discovers that Adriana is her rival, she takes desperate measures of her own. In this new production directed by Sir David McVicar, the action is partially set in a working replica of a baroque theatre. Gianandrea Noseda conducts the riveting score.
For the first time at the Met, soprano Anna Netrebko sings the role of Adriana Lecouvreur, the eighteenth-century actress whose real-life intrigues inspired Cilea’s tragic opera. Adriana is adored by many but loves only Maurizio, sung by tenor (Piotr Beczała), who adores her in return. Maurizio desperately tries to extricate himself from his previous lover, the Princess deof Bouillon— mezzo-soprano (Anita Rachvelishvili). When the princess discovers that Adriana is her rival, she takes desperate measures of her own. In this new production directed by Sir David McVicar, the action is partially set in a working replica of a baroque theatre. Gianandrea Noseda conducts the riveting score.
Music: Léon Minkus
Choreography: Yuri Grigorovich
Libretto after Marius Petipa and Sergei Khudekov
Cast: The Bolshoi Principals, Soloists and Corps de Ballet
The temple dancer Nikiya and the warrior Solor fall deeply in love, giving way to heated passions, and murderous intrigues when the Rajah and his daughter Gamzatti discover their forbidden love. La Bayadere is one of the greatest works classical ballet history – a story of love, death and vengeful judgement set in India. Dazzling sets, costumes, and one of the most iconic scenes in ballet, the “Kingdom of the Shades,” illuminate the tragic tale of the temple dancer Nikiya’s doomed love for the warrior Solor, and their ulimate redemption. A must-see!
Love is a wild bird… Don’t miss this revival of Sir Richard Eyre’s dynamic production. Mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine plays opera’s ultimate seductress, while Roberto Alagna returns to the role of Don José, the good-hearted soldier with whom she unleashes an uncontrollable passion. Don José breaks the law, goes to prison, deserts the army and loses everything to be with Carmen. But the capricious Carmen gypsy soon tires of him and takes up instead with the bullfighter Escamillo—bass (Alexander Vinogradov). She has ruined his life, but still, Don José adores her, with a fierceness that can only lead to catastrophe. Composer Bizet died just three months after Carmen’s disastrous premiere, never knowing that his creation would become one of the most popular operas of all time.
Love is a wild bird… Don’t miss this revival of Sir Richard Eyre’s dynamic production. Mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine plays opera’s ultimate seductress, while Roberto Alagna returns to the role of Don José, the good-hearted soldier with whom she unleashes an uncontrollable passion. Don José breaks the law, goes to prison, deserts the army and loses everything to be with Carmen. But the capricious Carmen gypsy soon tires of him and takes up instead with the bullfighter Escamillo—bass (Alexander Vinogradov). She has ruined his life, but still, Don José adores her, with a fierceness that can only lead to catastrophe. Composer Bizet died just three months after Carmen’s disastrous premiere, never knowing that his creation would become one of the most popular operas of all time.
Pablo Picasso is one of the greatest artists of all time - and right up until his death in 1973 he was the most prolific of artists. Many films have dealt with these later years - the art, the affairs and the wide circle of friends. But where did this all begin? What made Picasso in the first place? Too long ignored, it is time to look at the early years of Picasso; the upbringing and the learning that led to his extraordinary achievements.
Three cities play a key role: Malaga, Barcelona and Paris. Young Picasso visits each and explores their influence on Picasso, focusing on specific artworks from these early years. The film thus explains how this young artist acquired his craft. Looking carefully at two key early periods - the so-called Blue Period and Rose Period - the film takes us all the way to 1907 and the creation of a critical painting in the history of art - Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. It was a painting that shocked the art world but changed it irrevocably. Picasso was only 25 years old. Working closely with all three Picasso Museums in Malaga, Barcelona and Paris this film explains how he rose to great heights.
Full of wit and invention, Donizetti’s comic opera is a delight. The famous aria “Ah, Mes Amis,” with its nine high Cs, is known as the Mount Everest for tenors one of opera’s most show-stopping numbers. Bel canto stars Pretty Yende and Javier Camarena takes on the challenging vocal fireworks in this revival, a co-production with London’s Royal Opera House and the Wiener StaatsoperLaurent Pelly’s hilarious staging. Orphaned as a small child and raised by an entire army regiment, the spirited Marie has grown up as the regiment’s ‘daughter’, raising morale and spreading joy. Tonio, a local man, falls in love with her and even joins the army for her sake. But a chance encounter with a noblewoman sparks a sudden revelation, and a tale unfolds of secret identities, long-lost family, and murky pasts.
Full of wit and invention, Donizetti’s comic opera is a delight. The famous aria “Ah, Mes Amis,” with its nine high Cs, is known as the Mount Everest for tenors one of opera’s most show-stopping numbers. Bel canto stars Pretty Yende and Javier Camarena takes on the challenging vocal fireworks in this revival, a co-production with London’s Royal Opera House and the Wiener StaatsoperLaurent Pelly’s hilarious staging. Orphaned as a small child and raised by an entire army regiment, the spirited Marie has grown up as the regiment’s ‘daughter’, raising morale and spreading joy. Tonio, a local man, falls in love with her and even joins the army for her sake. But a chance encounter with a noblewoman sparks a sudden revelation, and a tale unfolds of secret identities, long-lost family, and murky pasts.
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: Yuri Grigorovich
Libretto after Ivan Vsevolojski and Marius Petipa
Cast: Olga Smirnova (Princess Aurora), Semyon Chudin (Prince Désiré), Alexei Loparevich (The Evil Fairy Carabosse), Yulia Stepanova (The Lilac Fairy), Vitaly Biktimirov (Catalabutte), Artemy Belyakov (Bluebird), Anastasia Denisova (Princess Florine)
The Princess Aurora falls under the curse of the Evil Fairy Carabosse on her sixtenth birthday, falling into a deep slumber of one hundred years. Only the kiss of a prince could break the spell. A resplendent fairytale ballet perfomed by the Bolshoi, The Sleeping Beauty features scores of magical characters including fairies, the Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots, and a beautiful young Princess Aurora performed by Olga Smirnova, a “truly extraordinary talent” (The Telegraph). This is classical ballet at its finest.
Captured live on Jan. 22, 2017
Featuring some of the most glorious music ever written—including, of course, the Ride of the Valkyries —Die Walküre is the second of the four operas that comprise Wagner’s Ring cycle, a story of monsters, gods, and humans on a superhuman scale. When twins Siegmund and Sieglinde find each other at last, Siegmund promises to release Sieglinde from her forced marriage by killing her husband, Hunding. The god Wotan instructs Valkyrie warrior Brünnhilde to defend Hunding. But, moved by the twins’ mutual devotion, Brünnhilde refuses to obey, forging an alliance with Sieglinde that has far-reaching consequences for them both. Soprano Christine Goerke sings Brünnhilde, tenor Stuart Skelton and soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek are the love-struck twins, and Ring cycle veteran Philippe Jordan conducts.
Featuring some of the most glorious music ever written—including, of course, the Ride of the Valkyries —Die Walküre is the second of the four operas that comprise Wagner’s Ring cycle, a story of monsters, gods, and humans on a superhuman scale. When twins Siegmund and Sieglinde find each other at last, Siegmund promises to release Sieglinde from her forced marriage by killing her husband, Hunding. The god Wotan instructs Valkyrie warrior Brünnhilde to defend Hunding. But, moved by the twins’ mutual devotion, Brünnhilde refuses to obey, forging an alliance with Sieglinde that has far-reaching consequences for them both. Soprano Christine Goerke sings Brünnhilde, tenor Stuart Skelton and soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek are the love-struck twins, and Ring cycle veteran Philippe Jordan conducts.
Music: Dmitri Shostakovich
Choreography: Yuri Grigorovich
Libretto Yuri Grigorovich and Isaak Glikman
Cast: Nina Kaptsova (Rita), Ruslan Skvortsov (Boris), Mikhail Lobukhin (Yashka) and Ekaterina Krysanova (Lyuska)
In the 1920’s, The Golden Age cabaret is a favorite nightly haunt. The young fisherman Boris falls in love with Rita. He follows her to the cabaret and realizes that she is the beautiful dancer “Mademoiselle Margot,”, but also the love interest of the local gangster Yashka… With its jazzy score by Shostakovich and its music-hall atmosphere featuring beautiful tangos, The Golden Age is a refreshing and colorful dive into the roaring 20’s. A historic ballet that can be seen only at the Bolshoi!
From the National Gallery, London and Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Every Rembrandt exhibition is eagerly anticipated but this major show hosted by London’s National Gallery and Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum was an event like no other. Given privileged access to both galleries the film documents this landmark exhibition, whilst interweaving Rembrandt’s life story, with behind-the-scenes preparations at these world famous institutions. Exploring many of the exhibition’s key works, through contributions from specially invited guests including curators and leading art historians, this Exhibition on Screen favourite makes a welcome return to the big screen marking the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt's death. For many, Rembrandt is the greatest artist that ever lived and this deeply moving film seeks to explore the truth about the man behind the legend.
Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads Poulenc’s masterpiece. As the French Revolution begins, shy Blanche, sung by mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, becomes a novice nun under an elderly prioress—Met legend Karita Mattila. Blanche’s aristocratic family flees the Terror, but she remains behind, struggling between her fear of the guillotine and her duty to the convent. When the nuns are expelled from the convent and threatened with death, Blanche must make an agonising decision. In the shattering final scene, the nuns walk towards the guillotine singing Salve Regina: Their voices are cut off, one by one, with each stroke of the blade, until all are silenced. Poulenc’s devastating portrayal of faith and martyrdom is live in HD for the first time.
Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads Poulenc’s masterpiece. As the French Revolution begins, shy Blanche, sung by mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, becomes a novice nun under an elderly prioress—Met legend Karita Mattila. Blanche’s aristocratic family flees the Terror, but she remains behind, struggling between her fear of the guillotine and her duty to the convent. When the nuns are expelled from the convent and threatened with death, Blanche must make an agonising decision. In the shattering final scene, the nuns walk towards the guillotine singing Salve Regina: Their voices are cut off, one by one, with each stroke of the blade, until all are silenced. Poulenc’s devastating portrayal of faith and martyrdom is live in HD for the first time.
Carmen Suite
Music: Georges Bizet and Rodion Shchedrin
Choreography: Alberto Alonso
Libretto Alberto Alonso after Carmen de Prosper Mérimée
Petrushka
Music: Igor Stravinsky
Choreography: Edward Clug
Cast: The Bolshoi Principals, Soloists and Corps de Ballet
Carmen is as passionate and free-spirited as ever as she finds herself caught in a love triangle. The passionate one act ballet by Cuban choreographer Alberto Alonso originally conceived for legendary Bolshoi prima ballerina Maya Plisetskaya will captivate audiences alongside Petrushka, a new creation for the Bolshoi by contemporary choreographer Edward Clug, in an evening encapsulating the soul of Russian Ballet
"I envy the Japanese" Van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo. In the exhibition on which this film is based - VAN GOGH & JAPAN at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam - one can see why. Though Vincent van Gogh never visited Japan it is the country that had the most profound influence on him and his art. One cannot understand Van Gogh without understanding how Japanese art arrived in Paris in the middle of the 19th century and the profound impact it had on artists like Monet, Degas and, above all, Van Gogh.
Visiting the new galleries of Japanese art in Paris and then creating his own image of Japan – through in-depth research, print collecting and detailed discussions with other artists – Van Gogh’s encounter with Japanese artworks gave his work a new and exciting direction. After leaving Paris for the south of France – to what he thought of as near to a kind of Japan as he could find - the productive and yet troubled years that followed must all be seen in the context of Van Gogh bending Japanese influences to his will and defining himself as a modern artist with clear Asian precursors. In this little known story of Van Gogh’s art we see just how important his study of Japan was. The film travels not only to France and the Netherlands but also to Japan to further explore the remarkable heritage that so affected Van Gogh and made him the artist we know of today.
"I envy the Japanese" Van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo. In the exhibition on which this film is based - VAN GOGH & JAPAN at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam - one can see why. Though Vincent van Gogh never visited Japan it is the country that had the most profound influence on him and his art. One cannot understand Van Gogh without understanding how Japanese art arrived in Paris in the middle of the 19th century and the profound impact it had on artists like Monet, Degas and, above all, Van Gogh.
Visiting the new galleries of Japanese art in Paris and then creating his own image of Japan – through in-depth research, print collecting and detailed discussions with other artists – Van Gogh’s encounter with Japanese artworks gave his work a new and exciting direction. After leaving Paris for the south of France – to what he thought of as near to a kind of Japan as he could find - the productive and yet troubled years that followed must all be seen in the context of Van Gogh bending Japanese influences to his will and defining himself as a modern artist with clear Asian precursors. In this little known story of Van Gogh’s art we see just how important his study of Japan was. The film travels not only to France and the Netherlands but also to Japan to further explore the remarkable heritage that so affected Van Gogh and made him the artist we know of today.
