March 2011 » gramilano

Opera and now ballet embrace 3D cinema

Mar 312011

Last week the world of ballet took its first delicate and perfectly-poised steps into the world of 3D cinema. Giselle 3D — which was shot almost a year ago at Russia’s Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg — received its big screen première in London and will be shown in selected cinemas around the UK in April.

It’s not just ballet which is seeking to entice arthouse audiences to don 3D glasses. Opera entered the fray earlier this year with 3D cinema screenings of Bizet’s Carmen and Donizetti’s Lucrezia Borgia. The latter, performed by the English National Opera and directed by Mike Figgis, was broadcast live to 15 cinemas across the UK and Ireland, and on Sky TV, in February.

Earlier this month saw the release of Bizet’s Carmen, starring Christine Rice, filmed in 3D by Julian Napier at the Royal Opera House.… [continue reading]

Greta Scaachi and Anita Dobson to Star as Bette (Davis) and Joan (Crawford) in London Première

other No Responses »

Mar 312011

London’s Arts Theatre has announced details of its summer program, which will include the world première of Anton Burg’s Bette & Joan, which will star Greta Scaachi and Anita Dobson in the title roles of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, respectively — writes Mark Shenton.

The play, to be directed by Bill Alexander, begins performances May 5 for a run through June 25. Based on the real-life legendary feud between the two stars, the play shows them at a low point in their careers when they meet on the set of “Whatever happened to Baby Jane?,” which becomes a surprise hit that propels them back to stardom.… [continue reading]

Gandhi, “Father of the Nation”, was bisexual? India is furious

other No Responses »

Mar 312011

India could bring in legislation to jail anyone who insults Mahatma Gandhi while state governments are moving to ban a biography that reviewers said showed the “Father of the Nation” was bisexual.

Gandhi led the campaign to end British colonial rule but lawmakers say his reputation is being besmirched by a new biography that suggests he had a homosexual affair with a German bodybuilder.

“Mahatma Gandhi is revered by millions, not just in India but across the world. We can’t allow anybody to draw adverse inferences about historical figures and denigrate them. Otherwise history will not forgive us,” Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily told the Indian Express newspaper.… [continue reading]

Met Opera, ABT and concert tours organised by Japan Arts at risk

ballet, music, opera No Responses »

Mar 312011

The Metropolitan Opera is debating whether to proceed with its scheduled Japanese tour in June, an ambitious trip that was several years in the planning and would be the Met’s first to that country since 2006.

Peter Gelb, the Met’s general manager, met on Tuesday with union representatives about safety concerns and on Wednesday issued a statement to the entire company that described the tour as being “in jeopardy at this time.”

Mr. Gelb said any risk created by problems at nuclear reactors would be fully evaluated “before the advance team is scheduled to depart in the middle of May.”

Performances in the three-week tour are to begin June 4 at the Aichi Arts Center in Nagoya. It would be the Met’s seventh Japan tour, all but one of which have been presented by the Japan Arts Corporation of Tokyo.… [continue reading]

Fabio Luisi chasing James Levine’s job leaves an opening for the young Daniele Rustioni

opera No Responses »

Mar 312011

Last night Daniele Rustioni conducted Aida at Covent Garden. At 28 he is certainly young, but as assistant to the house musical director Antonio Pappano he was an obvious and pleasing choise to replace the escaping Fabio Luisi.

Luisi, who’s eyeing James Levine’s job at the Met, dashed off to replace him, breaking his Royal Opera House contract in doing so. As The Arts Desk commented, we may not be seeing much more of him at the ROH, though of course, if the gamble pays off, they may be seeing much more of him in NY. Whatever, he’s given the young Milanese conductor Rustioni an excellent opportunity. Today’s edition of the Italian newspaper La Repubblica has devoted a page to him: “Rustioni conquerors London”.… [continue reading]

The Guardian says: vote for ballet… online

ballet No Responses »

Mar 302011

The question that the newspaper is asking is:

“A row has erupted over whether Natalie Portman danced most of her ballet scenes in Black Swan. Does it matter whether it was her or ‘ballet double’ Sarah Lane?”

Go here to vote.

The Guardian says: vote for ballet... online

… [continue reading]

John Le Carre doesn’t want to be considered for the Man Booker Prize

literature No Responses »

Mar 302011

British author John Le Carre will remain on the shortlist for the biennial Man Booker International Prize despite asking judges to withdraw his name from the list of 13 nominees.

“I am enormously flattered to be named as a finalist of 2011 Man Booker International Prize,” said the creator of spy classics including “The Spy Who Came In From the Cold” and “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.”

“However, I do not compete for literary prizes and have therefore asked for my name to be withdrawn,” the 79-year-old, whose real name is David Cornwell, said in a statement.

But prize organizers said they would ignore his wishes.

“John le Carre’s name will, of course, remain on the list,” said Rick Gekoski, chair of the Man Booker International Prize 2011 judges. … [continue reading]

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gramilano

Opera and now ballet embrace 3D cinema

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Greta Scaachi and Anita Dobson to Star as Bette (Davis) and Joan (Crawford) in London Première

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Gandhi, “Father of the Nation”, was bisexual? India is furious

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Met Opera, ABT and concert tours organised by Japan Arts at risk

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Fabio Luisi chasing James Levine’s job leaves an opening for the young Daniele Rustioni

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The Guardian says: vote for ballet… online

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John Le Carre doesn’t want to be considered for the Man Booker Prize

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