Opera comes to the big screen

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Danette Breitenbach

Cinema Nouveau begins its opera-on-screen experience today, Friday, 20 June 2008, with the screening of Puccini's La Boheme. “We are extremely excited to present to our South African another unique in-cinema experience, a first of its kind in our country and one of the only few in the world,” says Michelle Roodt, marketing executive, Ster-Kinekor Theatres.

“We feel that this is in line with Cinema Nouveau's market and what better way to do it than with the screening of world-class productions on our big screen, with enhanced sound quality,” she adds.

The Metropolitan Opera production stars the divine Angela Gheorghiu, whose palatable tones will take lead from famed conductor, James Levine's baton.

Following the June 20 début, Cinema Nouveau will each week screen other masterpieces fresh from the Met stage, including Gounod's Romeo et Juliette, Rossini's Barber of Seville, Donizetti's La Fille du Regiment and Puccini's Manon Lescaut, to name but a few.

“Opera with Cinema Nouveau” is an initiative that is endorsed by Classic FM and Opera Africa. Comments Sandra de Villiers, CEO of Opera Africa, “We felt that this was an incredible unique offering that will be enjoyed by our audiences and we just had to hop on and be part of it.”

Opera with Cinema Nouveau will screen at select cinemas around the country. For more information, go to www.sterkinekor.com.