The Royal Opera House’s Live Cinema Season
- Written by Genvin In
The Royal Opera House’s Live Cinema Season returns to screens across Australia with a brand-new program featuring twelve breathtaking live performances of world-class opera and ballet direct from London’s 2019/2020 season.
Audiences in Australia are never far from the action at the Royal Opera House, with select filmed live performances coming to the big screen at 20 Event Cinemas nationwide and 5 Village Cinemas in Victoria and Launceston from November 2019 to August 2020.
The 2019/20 program includes: Peter Wright’s beloved Christmas classic The Nutcracker (recorded from 2016); Ludwig van Beethoven’s uplifting masterpiece Fidelio; a glorious production of iconic classical ballet Swan Lake; and the Opera Australia co-produced Cavelleria Rusticana/Pagliacci, which combines two opera classics in a resplendent re-creation of life in a south Italian village.
Alex Beard, Chief Executive, The Royal Opera House
“We are thrilled to announce the return of the Royal Opera House’s live cinema season to Australia for its second year. After a hugely successful 10th anniversary season we are back with an expanded program, giving Australian audiences an even broader selection of phenomenal performances to choose from. Through our partnership with Event and Village Cinemas we look forward to sharing the very best of opera and ballet from the Royal Opera House with audiences across the country.”
Program Screenings Include:
Don Pasquale – 7, 8 and 11 December
Royal Opera favourite Bryn Terfel heads the cast for this new production of Donizetti’s comedy of domestic drama across two generations. The witty story of a middle-aged man whose supposed young wife runs rings around him – with her own ulterior romantic purpose in mind – has long delighted and surprised audiences.
The Nutcracker (recorded 2016) – 23 December (Christmas themed morning tea to be served) and 24 December 2019
It is Christmas Eve and Herr Drosselmeyer the magician sweeps young Clara away on a fantasy adventure in which time is suspended, the family living-room becomes a great battlefield, and a magical journey takes them through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets. Tchaikovsky's glittering score, the gorgeous festive stage designs, and The Royal Ballet's captivating dancing bring together this glorious production of Peter Wright’s Christmas classic.
Copellia – 19 and 22 January 2020
Ninette de Valois’ charming and funny story of love, mischief and mechanical dolls returns to the Royal Opera House. The intricate choreography is set to Delibes’ delightful score and shows off the technical precision and comedic bring a colourful storybook world to life in this Christmas treat for the whole family.
The Sleeping Beauty – 23 and 26 February 2020
This production of The Sleeping Beauty has been delighting audiences in Covent Garden since 1946. Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score and Marius Petipa’s original choreography beautifully combine with sections created for The Royal Ballet by Frederick Ashton, Anthony Dowell and Christopher Wheeldon. This ballet is sure to cast its spell over anyone who sees it.
La Boheme – 14, 15 and 18 March 2020
Puccini’s opera of young love in 19th-century Paris is packed with beautiful music, including lyrical arias, celebratory choruses and a poignant final scene over which the composer himself wept. Richard Jones’ character-led production perfectly captures La bohème’s mixture of comedy, romance and tragedy, with striking designs by Stewart Laing.
The Cellist/Dances at a Gathering (World Premiere) – 5 and 8 April 2020
Choreographer Cathy Marston is previously an Associate Artist of the Royal Opera House and has grown to become one of the most in demand artists internationally. The inspiration for her first work for The Royal Ballet Main Stage is the momentous life and career of the cellist Jacqueline du Pré. This is followed by Jerome Robbin’s elegant ballet set to Chopin’s masterful score.
Fidelio – 2, 3 and 6 May 2020
Beethoven’s only opera is a masterpiece, an uplifting story of risk and triumph. In this new production, conducted by Antonio Pappano, Jonas Kaufmann plays the political prisoner Florestan, and Lise Davidsen his wife Leonore (disguised as ‘Fidelio’) who daringly sets out to rescue him. Set in strong counterpoint are the ingredients of domestic intrigue, determined love and the cruelty of an oppressive regime.
Swan Lake - 17 and 20 May 2020
The Royal Ballet’s glorious production of Swan Lake, returns for its first revival with incredibly intricate choreography and bought to life by John Macfarlane’s magnificent designs breathe new life into what is arguably the best-known and most-loved classical ballet. Tchaikovsky’s score soars with its symphonic sweep and combines perfectly with exquisite choreography to create intoxicating mix of spectacle and intimate passion.
Cavelleria Rusticana/Pagliacci – 20, 21 and 24 June
Two opera classics are drawn together in this wonderfully observed re-creation of life in a south Italian village as a travelling theatre visits and emotions erupt. The award-winning production by Damiano Michieletto presents vividly the fast-moving, shocking events brought about by secret love and uncontrollable jealousy. With thrilling singing and intense drama, ‘Cav and Pag’ distils into one wonderful night out, the enduring appeal of Italian opera in its most familiar form.
The Dante Project – 12 and 15 July
An epic journey through the afterlife encompassing: the horrifying drama of Inferno and its damned, the lyrical mysticism of pilgrims on mount Purgatorio and the dazzling spheres of Paradiso with their endless configurations of light. In this new work, choreographer Wayne McGregor collaborates with an award-winning team – contemporary composer Thomas Adès, artist Tacita Dean, lighting designer Lucy Carter and dramaturg Uzma Hameed.
Elektra – 1, 2 and 5 August
Strauss’ thrilling and audacious adaptation of Greek tragedy receives a new staging by the award-winning director Christof Loy. This uncompromising opera, about a daughter intent on bloody revenge and a mother driven to madness, has provoked critics to lively debate and both shocked and excited audiences since its 1909 premiere.
Tickets costs $20 for adults, $18 for concessions, $102 for a multi pass to six titles.
For tickets and further information visit www.eventcinemas.com.au/roh and www.villagecinemas.com.au
Participating Event Cinemas include: Marion, Innaloo, Macquarie, Indooroopilly, Burwood, Castle Hill, Bondi Junction, Pacific Fair, Campbelltown, Kotara, Palmerston, Glenelg, Cronulla, Beverly Hills, Manuka, Maroochydore, Earlville, Toowoomba Strand, Coolangatta, Noosa
Participating Village Cinemas include: Knox, Geelong, Karingal, Rivoli and Launceston.
About the Royal Opera House Live Cinema Season
The Royal Opera House celebrates ten years of live cinema broadcasts in 2018, leading the way in delivering world-class opera and ballet around the world. The 2017/18 Season was the Royal Opera House’s most successful cinema season to date with more than one million tickets sold globally, including to more than 500 venues across the UK.
The Royal Opera House has seen huge growth in the influence of independent cinemas, which now account for almost half of our network in the UK. Internationally,
a partnership with Trafalgar Releasing sees our productions broadcast to up to 1,000 cinemas in 50 countries.
Audiences are also able to access an array of livestreamed and on-demand content via the Royal Opera House YouTube channel, which is the most subscribed-to YouTube channel of any arts organization in the world.
About Trafalgar Releasing
Trafalgar Releasing is an award-winning market leader in global event distribution, working in partnership to unite audiences with entertainment and the arts. Trafalgar Releasing is an integral part of Trafalgar Entertainment Group.
Since its launch in 2006, Trafalgar Releasing (formerly operating as Picturehouse Entertainment) brings special events to the big screen around the world. Trafalgar Releasing works with some of the world’s most renowned houses and companies; distributing high-profile arts content to cinemas worldwide from the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Opera House. In the UK, Trafalgar Releasing additionally distributes content from the Bolshoi Ballet, Glyndebourne and the Metropolitan Opera, New York.
Our theatre slate includes the Tony award-winning The King & I: From The London Palladium, Michael Grandage's acclaimed production Red starring Alfred Molina, Funny Girl The Musical starring Sheridan Smith, the Olivier and Tony award-winning An American in Paris: The Musical, The Rocky Horror Show Live, Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s live season and Monty Python Live (mostly).
Our music slate includes Muse: Drones World Tour, Sophie Fiennes's Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami, David Gilmour Live at Pompeii, Roger Waters The Wall, Rammstein: Paris and Black Sabbath: The End of The End, alongside our collaboration with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds; Distant Sky – Live in Copenhagen, One More Time with Feeling (directed by Andrew Dominik); & 20,000 Days on Earth.
In addition, Trafalgar Releasing has distributed award-winning feature films including Paul Verhoeven’s Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Elle, starring Isabelle Huppert, BAFTA winner The Imposter; The Lobster, starring Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz; Green Room with Patrick Stewart; Todd Solondz’s, Wiener-Dog, starring Greta Gerwig and Danny DeVito and Swiss Army Man with Daniel Radcliffe.
Daily Bulletin
