The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo. It was the first Spanish settlement in the Americas. Christopher Columbus initiated the first European New World settlement here in 1496. His legacy is preserved in the bricks and mortar of the historic old section of Santo Domingo, which has been turned into an entertaining and interesting Colonial theme.
The South Coast contains some of the countries bigger cities and national parks.
If any city in the world could be declared the perfect holiday destination, then Santo Domingo would probably be a prime candidate, with its modern sophistication, old world charm and Latin charisma, not to mention its position on the tropical southern Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic.
The only blight on the landscape is the crime rate robbery, muggings and petty theft are common so guard your belongings with care.
It boasts the western hemispheres first cathedral, first monastery, first hospital, first university and first law court. This rich colonial heritage, sparked off in the 15th century by legendary Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus, has been turned into a World Heritage Site in the heart of the city, known as the Colonial City.
The superb shopping, delicious dining, dazzling casinos, seductive parks and vibrant nightlife all beckon enticingly, from the monumental Columbus Lighthouse right down to the depths of nightclubs with multi level dance floors inside a real cave.
The most modern memento to Santo Domingos status as the oldest European city in the Americas is a mammoth structure built on the eastern shore of the Ozama River in the early 1990s to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus arrival in the New World. The building is 693ft long and built in the shape of a cross at a 45degree angle. It houses what the Dominican Republic claims are the remains of Columbus himself and is fitted with intense lights which project the image of the cross into the sky at night. The monument was designed by English architect J L Gleave, who won an international competition for the design after 455 plans were submitted by architects from 48 different countries. The building is also the repository for numerous documents and artefacts associated with the early Spanish colonial times.
The vast green square in the heart of Santo Domingo serves as the cities cultural and artistic showcase, being fronted by a cluster of four museums, as well as the National Theatre. The museums are the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of History and Geography, the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Dominican Man. The National Theatre runs a full programme of opera, ballet, music and drama productions.
The confluence of thoughts and ideas from across the world found a culmination in the city of London. In an empire where the sun never set, London not only gained a gradual strategic importance, but also found art and culture thriving and reigning in glory. The opening by Queen Elizabeth I of the Royal Exchange in 1566 marked the growth of the city in world importance, economically and culturally and placed the city in the limelight of cultural importance. It was the time when William Shakespeare wove magic with his wonderful plays. London shows became famous by the word of the mouth. People from all over the world traveled to see the display of genius minds. It was much later that London became the capital of the British Empire during the reign of Queen Victoria and emerged as one of the world’s foremost political, intellectual, and cultural centers.
Cut to the present world, times have changed. A technologically advanced society has given space to the evolution of art. One thing that has not changed is the magnanimous attitude of London to welcome the creation and the creator alike, not to forget about the admirer of course. When a paean to the hallowed Syd Barrett is sung in the form of Shine On You Crazy Diamond in the Earl’s Court, Wembley plays the notes of the mellifluous guitar. Co-existence, yes! That is how London has placed itself in the zenith of places where live shows are held. By shows, we not only mean gigs by famous bands or the rendition of famous plays. Some of the finest performances, be it in Ballet or Opera or Musical, have captured the imagination of thousands in London. Piccadilly and Leicester Square are household names when it comes to London shows .
Attending London shows for some may be a way of socializing. For others, it may be titillating the senses.Some people even find a panacea to all problems by simply attending a show and living in the moments. Hurt Until It Laughs or In the Mood for Dancing is just the piquant that one needs to have a memorable evening. The National Theatres around London provide some of the majestic moments in watching a play. La Dolce Vita with Viva Italia or The Asian Wedding Exhibition 2008 provides an insight into the cultural depths of Asia and Italy. Finding new friends and dating significantly ranks as one of the most popular events in London. Find your match in Speed Dating, London in the Red Hedgehog or the Clockwork Bar in London.
If you are in the mood for a sumptuous dinner, you are most welcome to visit 20s – 30s Sugar Hut Dinner Party for sexy cocktails and mingling at the low lit bar followed by a delicious Thai feast or Dinner Dana: Game of Love for a night of food, wine and love. Choose between Fashion Films or the Country Living Fair for a meet out. Catch a performance of Don Giovanni or La bohème at the Royal Opera House or The Coliseum if Opera is what your soul is looking for.
We could go on rambling about the events in London , as if we are on a tour of the galaxy. London caters to the palates of the artist to the architect, the serious traveler to the fun filled adventurer. Reading about the events of London and not seeing them for real is missing a lot. Let us help you guide through the by lanes, the labyrinths, the enigma called London .
The Royal Opera House is the third theatre on the Covent Garden site. In 1728 an actor/manager by the name of John Rich commissioned “The Beggars Opera” from John Gay, a poet and dramatist. The success of this production helped provide the capital for the first Theatre Royal to be built and on the 7th December 1732, it had its opening night.
The theatre was primarily a playhouse for the first hundred years or so, with King Charles II granting John Rich and the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, as well as the Drury Lane theatre, almost exclusive rights to present drama in London. Rich also began developing pantomime as an art form which led to the tradition of pantomimes being performed every Christmas – a tradition that lasted until the 1930’s at Covent Garden and still continues today at theatres across the country.
The first serious musical works to be performed at Covent Garden were the operas of Handel, who gave regular seasons there from 1735 until his death in 1759. Unfortunately his organ, which he had bequeathed to John Rich, was burned, along with most of the theatre, in a fire in 1808.
The rebuilding of the theatre began at once and, in September 1809, the second Theatre Royal opened in Convent Garden with a performance of Macbeth. To attempt to recoup the costs of rebuilding the theatre, ticket prices were raised. However, after two months of disgruntled theatre goers disrupting performances with booing and hissing, prices were forced back down.
In 1846, a dispute with the management at Her Majesty’s Theatre (the exclusive home to ballet and opera in London at the time), conductor Michael Costa aligned himself with Covent Garden, taking most of his company of singers with him. The auditorium at Convent Garden was completely remodelled and the theatre re-opened in April 1847 as the Royal Italian Opera.
Fire struck again in 1856, completely destroying the theatre, and work on the third and present theatre began in 1857, before re-opening in 1858. Just over thirty years later, in 1892, the theatre officially became the Royal Opera House, with summer and winter seasons of ballet and opera produced regularly. This carried on until the First and Second World Wars, when the Royal Opera House became a furniture repository and a dance hall, respectively.
Several renovations took place in the 1960s including improvements to the amphitheatre, but it was clear that the theatre needed a complete overhaul. Despite being given land adjacent to the theatre to make room for the renovations in 1975, it wasn’t until twenty years later before work began when the newly created National Lottery granted the Opera House £58.5 million towards the rebuilding costs. The new Royal Opera House was opened in December 1999, with two new, smaller performance areas added to the theatre as well as the now historic main auditorium.
Now open all day and not just for evening performances, visitors come from all over the world to the theatre, packing the nearby hotels in London, and enjoying not only the wonderful shows, but also the beautiful interior of a historic building. The views that the Royal Opera House commands across London from the Amphitheatre Terrace have delighted tourists and guests since it’s re-opening, almost as much as the productions performed.
The existence of the theatre in the city of Odessa began from the first days of the city’s foundation. The Opera & Ballet Theatre is entitled to be called the elder among a great number of cultural institutions. Odessa strived for the right of building the theatre in 1804, and in 1809 it was already built. On the10th of February 1810 the first performance took place – the Russian troupe by Fortunatov staged a one -act opera by Fralih “A New Family” and a vaudeville “A Consolating Widow”.
But, unfortunately, in 1873 an old building was burnt. And it was burnt completely. The restoration was our of the question. It was a tragedy, which was relented by one circum-stance – nobody suffered from it. It was suggested to draw up a draft of a new city theatre to Vienna architects F. Felner Y. Helmer. Eleven years have passed since laying of the first brick into the foundation of the new theatre building. And the theatre opening took place on the 1st of October 1887.
The building of Odessa Opera and Ballet House was fulfilled in the style of Vienna “baroque”, which was the main in the European art from the end of the XVIth up to the middle of the XVIIIth century.
There is a sculptural group over the front, portraying one of the muse – a patron of art- Melpomena. She is sitting in the chariot, harnessed by the four furious panthers, which were subdued, her. A little bit lower there are sculptural groups from the ancient mythology subjects. At the bottom, near the central entrance, on the high pedestals, two sculptural groups are set up, personifying Comedy and Tragedy: on the left – a fragment from the tragedy by Euripi “Ippolit”, on the right – an episode from the comedy by Aristophanes: “The Birds”.
Along the pediment of the building in the bays of the upper circle the busts of the brilliant Russian art & literature creators. Pushkin, Glinka, Griboyedov, Gogol are placed. The most beautiful part of the building – is its hall. Its architecture is maintains in “rococo” style.
It is luxuriously decorated by various molded ornaments, with the fine gilt. The ceiling is of a special interest. Four pictures by Lefler in the form of a locket (medallion) are in its basis. The scenes from the works are Syakespeare: “Hamlet”, “A Dream in the Summer Night”, “The Winter Fairytale” & “As You like It”, is depicted on them.
A big chandelier in the centre of the ceiling strikes by its drake of tracery details. There are many different stucco moldings in the hall and in all the circles.
The modeling in the circles is fulfilled with a special grace. Side lobbies and along staircases, leading to the boxes. All kinds of lampions, candelabrums and bronze ornamented inlays are originally and inventively made. Perhaps, in any of the theatres, there is no so tastefully made curtain, outlined by the prominent theatrical painter – Golovin. The area of the stage is 500 Esq. The unique acoustics allows to deliver even a whisper from the stage to any part of the hall.
The Theatre itself is interesting not only by us architecture, but by its rich creative biography. The great merit in the development of musical culture in the south of our country belongs, to this theatre. P.Tchaikovsky, N.Rimsky-Korsakov, S.Rachmaninoff, Ezhen Izai, Pablo Sarasate and others performed their works. There appeared on the stage the actors, who glorified the home art/ the great singers: Fyodor Chaliapin, Solomiya Grushelnitskaya, Antonina Nezhdanova, Leonid Sobinov, Tito Ruffo, Batistini, Jeraldoni sang here, Anna Pavlova, the first world ballet-dancer, had been dancing here. In 1926 the theatre was awarded the title of “Academic”. The theatre ballet group consists of 50 people. Among them such Honored ballet dances of Ukraine as Andrey Musorin and Yelenaa Kamenskih – the participants of the Farewell Tour of Rudolf Nuriyev, and others. “Jizelle”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Nut-Cracker”, “Don Quihote”, “Chopiniana”, “Un Ballo in Maschera”, “Hunchback Horse”, “Carmen-Suite” are in the repertoire of the theatre. The ballet dancers were touring in Canada, Japan, Vietnam, Ceylon, China, Hungary, Bulgaria, Finland, South Korea, Italy, Spain and Portugal – with Maya Plisetskaya and in Indonesia, Switzerland, Sweden and other countries. The opera singer’s troupe consists of 40 people. They are National artists of Ukraine – Lyudmila Shirina, Anatoliy Boyko, Anatoliy Kapustin and Vladimir Tarasov, the Honored artists of Ukraine: Anisimova Tatyana, Irina Berlizova and Nataja Yutesh, Pavel Yermolenko, Laureates of International Contests. Viktor Mityushkin, Shalva Mukeria, Natlja Shvchenko, Ruslan Zinevich and others.
There are 25 operas, such as “Carmen”, “Aida”, “Il Trovatore”, “La Traviata”, “Cavaleria Rusticana”, “I Pagliacci”, “Iolanta”, “Madam Butterfly”, Rigoletto”, and others are in the repertoire of theatre. The theatre opera singers were appearing on the stages of Spain, Italy, France, Finland, Japan, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Belgium, Greece and the individual opera soloists – practically in all the countries of the world.
India is a mother country, which has given birth to various kinds of Theater Arts like Yakshagana, puppetry and Dance. Yakshagana is a different type of play where it depicts religious stories along with the help of dialogue delivery, music, song and dance. A puppeteer used painted figures made out of deer or goatskin, generally, which are moved by the threads and chain bonded to them.
Dances have players conveying a situation with facial gesture in synchronize with a singer telling the story along with music applying musical instruments such as veena and tabla. Since facial expressions play a critical function, eyes are being highlighted, because they’re the fundamental in this case of theater art.
“Yakshagana” is a Sanskritic language word for Celebration of the celestials. This theater art includes drama, song and dance. It fundamentally originated as a folk art. The actors generally lead a nomadic life, traveling from one village to some other with their luggage. They used to stay in temples at nighttime and adjusting their stage for the execution the next day. Villagers gather the next day to watch this group of 15-20 male actors acting. Epics of Hindu mythology are enacted applying make-up and colorful dresses up.
As no females are a part of this pack, the male dress up wearing female attire, too enacts womanly characters. The performing artists are required to execute throughout the day and some of the times throughout the nighttime, for which they should need loads of staying power for the preceding of the play through the night.
The mythological figures are known as “Kimpurushas”, lead actor called “Kattu-veshas” and the so-called villains are known as “Kiratas”. The audiences aren’t expected to pay anything for this entertainment; the actors are offered money with the temple funds for a living.
The Yakshagana artists were also the ones to introduce people to puppetry. Colored figures created by leather were made to act with sticks and strings. The stage was made with a white translucent cloth on which the dancing images of the puppets were projected with the help of lighted kerosene lamps.
Tales from the sacred Hindu scriptures, Ramayan and Mahabharatam are demonstrated to the audience. The puppeteer generally gives the voice; his wife and children to put up voice for additional characters of the puppet play also join him. Background music too is jumbled with the story with the assistance of Indian musical instruments such as harmonium or a Mukha-veena.
Puppeteers also are called for to execute on particular occasions like birth, wedding and death. The storyline of their play depends upon the occasion, like on birthdays they enact “Krishna Leela” or the antics of Krishna, on weddings they perform “Girija Kalyana” or the wedding of Girija and on funerals they execute “Swargarohana” or ascent to paradise.
These performances not only have an entertainment value but also have ritualistic significance. A few actors take a vow of acting these plays to get a return privilege from their deities like good crop, abundant rain, or end to their miseries.
There are varieties of dances in India alone. Every state of this country has its own specific fashion in expression, gestures, makeup style and dress up. In fact, they’ve a god named Nataraja, who’s considered to be one of the forms of Lord Shiva, as the superior creator of Indian dancing.
The notable dancing forms of Indian peninsula are Odissi, Bharatnatiyam, Katthakali, Kuchipudi, and Mohini Attam that are executed in different parts of the country.
There is always something happening in Japan and whatever your interest there is an event for you to enjoy.
You can thrill to the spectacle of a Sumo tournament, experience the breathtaking colour of a fireworks festival or marvel at the ornate costumes and settings of Kabuki drama. Including an event in your travel plans offers a unique opportunity to take part in the Japanese culture and meet some of the locals, and is a wonderful way to make your trip to Japan even more memorable.
Japanese Festivals are colourful celebrations that reflect the countries ancient religious beliefs and mark the passing of the seasons. They are an important part of life in Japan and can be enjoyed in cities and towns throughout the country. Whatever time of year you decide to visit, there is sure to be a festival taking place somewhere in Japan, from elaborate displays of snow and ice sculpture at the Sapporo Snow Festival to lively summer events like the Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori with its parade of giant illuminated figures.
Japan offers visitors a wealth of entertainment opportunities, both modern and traditional. Contemporary diversions include clubs, discos, live music venues and bars, as well as international performance arts such as opera, ballet, drama and musicals.
For culture lovers who want to sample some of the fascinating Japan boasts a rich sporting history and has plenty to offer both spectators and participants alike.
Martial arts such as Sumo, Karate and Kendo have been popular for centuries and these traditional sports are still widely enjoyed today. Sumo wrestling is one of the most exciting spectator sports for both visitors and locals. Six tournaments, each lasting 15 days, are held annually in Tokyo in January, May and September.
Over recent years Japan has also embraced a number of western sports, including golf, skiing & snowboarding, baseball and football. Baseball is Japans number one sport and the professional league games, which take place from April to October, are a highlight of the sporting calendar.
Lightweight cottons and linens are required throughout summer in most areas. Light to medium weights during spring and autumn, medium to heavyweights for winter months, according to region. Much warmer clothes will be needed in the mountains all year round. There is much less rainfall than in Western Europe.
Japanese style hotels now provide exciting new experiences. Guests receive kimonos and wooden clogs and rooms come equipped with Japanese bathtubs and paper sliding doors.
Paris is recognized as one of the most romantic cities in the world and yet it is appreciated for the cultural sophistication as well. It is a great city to visit if you truly love the arts.
Many people believe the ballet and opera actually began in Paris. If you enjoy ballet and opera than a visit to Paris without attending the opera or ballet is regrettable.
Ballet is a formalized form of dance with its origins in the Italian Renaissance court of the 15th century. One can consider that the real beginning of the Paris Opera Ballet occured in 1661. Ballet developed further in the French court from the time of Louis XIV in the 17th century hence the term ballet which is from the French vocabulary.
Ballet de La Opera National de Paris is rated one of the best dance companies in the world; it outdoes itself in both the classics and avant-garde, staged in the same aspect of Opera.
It is universally agreed that the ballet in Paris is truly one of a kind. The performers are recognized worldwide.
The Opera is a spectacular theatrical concert featuring singers who spend several hours practicing and performing. Many in the audience leave in awe wondering how these opera singers can sing the way that they do. Their costumes and the way they perform almost take you into another place or time.
In 1989, the Bicentennial of the French Revolution was marked by the inauguration of the Opera Bastille, a 2700-seat auditorium acoustics and stage vision of its are unrivaled so to get a seat you need to reserve months in advance.
The productions are both popular and critically acclaimed. The site’s multi-functional performance space also hosts various concert and dance programs. Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris. The metro is Bastille.
The sumptuous and prestigious Paris Opera building, designed by Charles Garnier in 1861 and completed in 1875, is one of the largest theatre venues in the world The Opera Garnier stage is 118,404 square feet, accomodate 450 players.The tale for the classic horror movie, The Phantom of the Opera, was in the Opera Garnier.
For an entry fee, you can stroll around the interior at your leisure (except occasionally during rehearsals). Since the opening of the Opera Bastille, the Opera Garnier has devoted its repertoire exclusively to ballet.
Though its productions are internationally renowned for their quality, they tend to remain on the traditional side of contemporary dance. The Ballet de L’Opera de Paris and the Opera National de Paris schedule some performances here and some at the Opera de la Bastille.
In both venues, reduced ticket prices may be available at the box office 15 minutes before performance time for students and people under 25 or over 65. Place de l’Opera, 75009 Paris. The metro is Opera and Auber.
Theatre Musical de Paris (Theatre du Chatelet) lies between the Pont au Change (which crosses to the Ile de la Cite and the boulevard de Sebastapol. These theatres were built by Davioud in 1862, and each now leads a separate and even rival existence.
The Chatelet concentrates mainly on opera and classical music, with occasional ballet, and usually has a rich program of international performers. (It recently acquired an annex in Les Halles, the Auditorium, where more unusual or obscure music is performed.)
The other theatre, previously named the Sarah Bernhardt and now known as the Theatre de la Ville, offers top names in contemporary dance, innovative French theatre, and evening concerts of jazz or world music.
Before the Bastille Opera opened, and with the Garnier’s transition to an all-dance programme, the TMP was the only Parisian venue offering a complete programme of high-quality opera. Despite the arrival of such a massive rival, the TMP has continued its ambitious schedule of progressive, well-made productions. Address: 1, place du Chatelet, 75001 Paris; phone: 01-40-28-28-98; fax: 01-42-36-89-75; The metro is Chatelet.
Some countries offer scholarships to Paris for those they feel are good enough in the art of ballet or opera, With every talented ballet student or opera singer that comes out of Paris, more of the world has the opportunity to enjoy a piece of Paris.
So, after seeing the sites during the day, and you like the ballet or the opera they usually perform at night and this would be a great thing to do to end a great day.
