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Latest News

La bohème feature film in American cinemas

8 September 2009

From 23 September, the ‘breathtakingly dramatic’ feature film of La bohème will appear in cinemas across America.

The movie, which was filmed in Vienna in 2008, gives an intimate interpretation of this much loved tale of ‘love’ ‘friendship’ ‘passion’ and ‘fate’. Oscar and Emmy-nominated director, Robert Dornhelm takes full advantage of the cinematic effects to not only draw upon the passion and intensity already embedded in the story and music of the opera but to add another dimension altogether, revealing parts of the work that can so easily be lost or underexposed in a stage version.

Speaking about his intentions for the film, Dornhelm said: ‘I wanted to deliver something that is not only an illustration of the music, but also a recounting of an exciting and passionate love story. The music did the whole work for me – I only had to depict it faithfully in images. That means: to breathe life into the work's genuine emotions, naturalism and details.’

To coincide with the film’s screenings, Deutsche Grammophon have teamed up with iTunes to offer an exclusive release of selected tracks from the full-length recorded version of the soundtrack from the film. The selected tracks, which will be entitled ‘La bohème – Five Favourites’ will be available to download for $3.99 and features the most popular arias and duets from the opera, sung by the famous opera duo, Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón, who also star as the fatal lovers in the film.

Discussions underway for new Rhine Opera House

2 September 2009, Strasbourg

Strasbourg, the setting for a major new opera house on the Rhine?

Opera Now has learnt that discussions have opened between the French and German governments concerning the building of a major new opera house on the banks of the River Rhine. The aim of the project would be to establish a symbol of cultural unity at the heart of the European Union.

The new house is likely to be located in or near Strasbourg, alongside the Rhine. The city is one of the homes of the European Parliament and is also capital of the French region of Alsace, which borders Germany and has historically capitulated between French and German rule.

Although no details have yet been released, Opera Now's source commented: 'There have been talks concerning a significant new opera building, which would serve as a symbol of Franco-German symbiosis, a true Rhine-Opera...'

La Scala forced to seal off 270 seats from auditorium

2 September 2009

Marco Brescia

The world-famous Teatro alla Scala yesterday closed the seating tiers in its upper gallery while work is carried out to remove asbestos, first discovered in December last year.

The theatre has closed off a section of 270 seats, and ticketholders will be offered upgrades when available, or refunds. The work is expected to be finished by the end of October, and thus will impact on the new production of Monteverdi’s Orfeo, staged by Robert Wilson.

La Scala press officer Carlo Maria Cella said the asbestos was found in a ‘very limited’ section of the vaulted ceiling above the upper gallery, and the area was immediately sealed until the problem could be fixed during the theatre’s summer recess. No asbestos fibres have spread into the theatre, Cella said, adding that the gallery will be fully operational in good time for the traditional opening of the La Scala opera season on 7 December, which this year features a new production of Carmen conducted by Daniel Barenboim.

www.teatroallascala.org

Bolshoi music director resigns

21 July 2009, Moscow, Russia

Alexander Vedernikov: no compromises

After a week of rumours and rumblings, Alexander Vedernikov has officially announced his resignation as music director of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

The decision was made following a row with Bolshoi's management which is struggling to keep the once-revered institution alive. Vedernikov is said to be unhappy at the compromises imposed on his artistic planning at the Bolshoi, in the midst of a financial crisis exacerbated by the ongoing and ruinously expensive restauration of the company's historic theatre in Moscow.

Commenting on his decision which was announced as the Bolshoi is on tour to La Scala Milan, Vedernikov said: 'I have very good memories of the past eight years that I have devoted to Bolshoi Theatre. We made a great deal of effort to take the theatre out of creative crisis... Unfortunately now I find myself in disagreement with the Bolshoi’s management regarding its future. In this situation I decided that it is better to concentrate my efforts on developing my international career, and this will be more effective from all points of view.'

Meanwhile, there is no end in sight to works at the Bolshoi Theatre. The restoration process, begun in 2005, has already overrun by a year and, amid continuing recriminations, the current talk is of a possible 2011 reopening at best.