PALACE LAUNCHES NEW DIGITAL DIVISION PALACE THEATRICAL BY BRINGING “WORLD OPERA & BALLET” TO THE BIG SCREEN.
Palace Cinemas is delighted to announce its new alternate cinema content division PALACE THEATRICAL with the launch of the stunning 2009 season WORLD OPERA AND BALLET CINEMA SEASON in HD. Thanks to state-of-the-art digital technology we invite ordinary Australians to marvel at the excitement and passion of opera and the unique magic of ballet, in stunning High Definition and 5.1 Surround Sound at their local cinema.
Performances have been shot with seven cameras, constantly cutting between multiple angles, close-ups, long and medium shots and bird’s-eye views of the stage to give audiences a uniquely intimate experience.
From April 9 2009 until October 7 2009 dedicated opera and ballet cinema patrons will be given the rare opportunity to travel to London and experience the spectacle and opulence of the historical Royal Opera House, Covent Garden from the comfort of their cinema seat.
The inaugural season will comprise of 11 performances (6 Ballets and 5 Operas) from the pre-eminent Opera Houses of Europe: Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Teatro Real Madrid and Opera National De Paris.
WORLD OPERA & BALLET CINEMA SEASON in HD will launch on April 9 2009 across city and key regional cinema screens with The Royal Ballet’s utterly captivating TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER, the first ever Australian cinematic performance of this ballet.
As well as the charming TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER these world famous ballets include Tchaikovsky’s classic THE SLEEPING BEAUTY and the most celebrated and poignant ballet, GISELLE which launched The Royal Ballet’s Alina Cojocaru to instant global stardom. Other ballet titles in the season include The Royal Ballet’s heart-melting ROMEO AND JULIET and the enduring gem LA FILLE MAL GARDÉE as well as the Rudolf Nureyev choreographed production of CINDERELLA, exquisitely performed by Paris Opéra Ballet.
Operatic titles include The Royal Opera’s spectacular productions of Bizet’s swashbuckling masterpiece CARMEN, the flamboyant and fiery DON GIOVANNI and one of the finest jewels in the opera repertory Mozart’s unmistakable LE NOZZE DI FIGARO.
In addition to these unrivalled performances from the Royal Opera House Covent Garden the season includes an award winning coproduction with Teatro Real Madrid of Handel’s fabulous baroque opera TAMERLANO, starring none other than legendary tenor, Plácido Domingo. Also from Teatro Real Madrid, no season is complete without Puccini’s beloved LA BOHEME, often regarded as the most romantic of all operas.
These productions feature thrilling performers such as Simon Keenlyside, Alina Cojocaru, Tamara Rojo, Carlos Acosta, world renowned directors, producers and conductors: David McVicar, Francesca Zambello, Antonio Pappano. This is without doubt an exciting and un-missable season for aficionados and first timers alike.
Antonio Zeccola, Managing Director of PALACE CINEMAS announcing this exciting venture for his National Palace Cinema chain; “Digital Cinema is allowing audiences to enjoy “alternative” entertainment previously only accessible in live venues. PALACE THEATRICAL is embracing the Digital age face-on and we see cinemas becoming vibrant cultural entertainment centres. It is exhilarating through WORLD OPERA & BALLET CINEMA SEASON in HD to be promoting opera & ballet to wider and more diverse audiences Australia-wide and we hope to open minds to new creative experiences. We are so delighted to be working with the Royal Opera House, Opus Arte and DigiScreen and thrilled to be bringing these spectacular performances to Australian cinema audiences.”
Tony Hall, Chief Executive of the ROYAL OPERA HOUSE and Executive Chairman of OPUS ARTE , said: “I am excited by this pioneering new direction for the Royal Opera House at the start of the 21st Century. Being at the forefront of the burgeoning digital platform allows us to bring brilliant ballets and operas from the world renowned Royal Ballet and Royal Opera. Having experienced the HD performances first hand, I cannot emphasize enough what an exhilarating experience these screenings live or recorded are, the HD digital technology coupled with Surround Sound is remarkable.”
WORLD OPERA AND BALLET CINEMA SEASON in HD launches on April 9 2009 at cinemas nationally.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
For full season details, images and interview requests:
Gallus & Co:
Sally Steele
Email: gallusandco@me.com
Phone: 0418 642 557
For cinema updates, links and ticket information visit:
http://www.worldoperaandballet.com.au
