Dec 10

 

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 .

 

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Nov 21

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.

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Oct 20

Nationally recognized by other theatres, the American Ballet Theatre brings in thousands of people worldwide. Not only do they perform the greatest ballets from all over the world, but they also offer memberships, the ability to donate and/or volunteer. Focused on bringing in the modern element while keeping with tradition at the same time, there have been many artistic directors from the time of the dance company’s launch in 1939, up to the present day.
The most notable contributors to the arts through this type of dance are, of course, the dancers themselves. The American Ballet Theatre has three levels a ballet dancer can be part of: corps de ballet, soloists and principals, who are typically known as the highest ranking dancers. The most recognizable name in this type of dance is Mikhail Baryshnikov, a Russian born dancer, choreographer and actor.
He performed as a principal ballet dancer at this New York City ballet theatre and was artistic director for ten years. In turn, this theatre company has enhanced New York City purely by existing and making its home here. Every year auditions are held here and all over the country as well. While thousands may audition, only the best of the best are chosen to further enhance this ballet troupe.
This New York City theatre offers a variety of classes and workshops for families, children and teachers. Programs for schools are available and professional training is highly sought after with this ballet company. While other ballet theatres take a great, classical ballet performance and change part of it around to make it more modern, the American Ballet Theatre tends to keep with the original concept of classical performances.
Yet, they also look for new ballets and choreographers to expand their performances and entice new audiences. In 2000, this ballet company took their performance to China.
No matter what your reason for your love of this type of dance, the American Ballet Theatre is a focal point throughout the ballet community. But, you need not travel all the way to New York City to discover the theatres full potential. Their website, at “Abt Org”, has everything you’re looking for.
Get information on locations, auditions and classes, as well as to purchase tickets for up and coming performances. For those more interested in becoming a part of the theatre group, the website also offers the opportunity to purchase memberships or donate your time and/or money. With unforgettable performances and extremely talented dancers, who could resist being part of this national ballet company?

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