Giordano: Andrea Chénier - Teatro alla Scala
Rossini: La Gazza Ladra - Teatro alla Scala
In his 'new life' as a baritone, Placido Domingo has triumphed in the role of Francesco Foscari in Los Angeles, London and Vienna. Now he takes to the role to La Scala, Milan, the theatre that is the symbol of Italian opera. I due Foscari, premiered in 1844, famously one of Verdi's darkest operas, is staged by Alvis Hermanis, who made such an impact at the Salzburg Festival with "Die Soldaten" and "Il trovatore". Domingo is joined by two of Italy's most exciting singers, the soprano Anna Pirozzi and the tenor Francesco Meli, and the acclaimed Italian conductor Michele Mariotti. The Financial Times was deeply moved by Domingo's performance, calling his interpretation of the role "sublime".
Gennaro, the son of Lucretia Borgia, lives unaware of the identity of his mother, who has married the Duke of Ferrara. After Lucretia's brother is killed by five conspirators, the fathers of Gennaro's dearest friends, Lucretia tortures the old men to death. Later, Gennaro and his companions journey to Lucretia's domain, and she sees her son for the first time. The Duke, who believes him to be her lover, poisons him, but Lucretia administers the antidote in time and saves his life. Then she schemes to poison her sons' five friends for their fathers' mistake.
One of the composer's most beguiling scores, La Favorite is Gaetano Donizetti's La favorita in it's original French form; a tale of love and war that represents a glorious mix of Italian bel canto and 19th c. grand opera. Vincent Boussard's arresting Toulouse production does full justice to this newly renewed masterpiece. Three international principals take on the work's demanding roles: Chinese tenor Yijie Shi is a 'revelation' as Fernand, the rich-toned, authoritative French baritone Ludovic Tezier as King Alphonse XI and lauded American mezzo Kate Aldrich - 'the Carmen of this generation' - plumbing the emotional depths of Leonor's music. Conductor and bel canto specialist Antonello Allemandi adds to the passionate proceedings onstage. Maestro Allemandi demonstrated full authority over the stage for the musically complex scenes, and in the arias and duets demonstrated his confidence in the singers by establishing ample tempos to support their soaring vocal lines.
Madama Butterfly - Teatro alla Scala
Anna Bolena - Reate Festival di Rieti
Six Italian directors explore contemporary Milan in a rich and eclectic portrait of urban life and spaces—both rooted in history and bursting with a diversity of architecture and humanity.
The incredible story of Lucrezia Borgia (1480-1519), daughter of Pope Alexander VI (1431-1503), deliberately used politically by her powerful family and historically slandered as a poisoner and incestuous femme fatale. But who was the real Lucrezia?
Lucrèce Borgia, une femme au Vatican
A short film following a cult that worships spaghetti sauce.
Onzième spéciale
Shy and smart College freshman, Stacey, falls for the charming grad student, Benjamin. Her whole world is changing and she just wants to have fun, hang with the girls, study. But it isn't long before Benjamin's abusive, narcissistic qualities begin to show. Can she save herself and get out before its too late.
A troubled woman returns to her estranged family in coastal Maine. With her lobsterman father caught up in a turf war at sea, she and an ex-boyfriend make plans to hijack local drug runners. As their desperation mounts, each character makes increasingly compromised and morally dubious decisions that threaten their way of life and their loved ones.
Payton becomes the caretaker of Gregory Devereaux, a wealthy man facing his final months. As they become close, Gregory's past sins force Payton to decide between his dreams and a pregnancy that could squander them all.
The Badger is the story of a 40-year-old woman called Soodeh Sharifzadegan who faces a strange incident, right before her second marriage.
Struggling filmmakers travel to an obscure festival to sell their movie.
Although Yingying’s mother was killed in a modern day persecution and the little girl is alone on the streets of Northern China, an enchanted art form could reunite them. Enter a child’s world, where hope and imagination are more powerful than police batons or state-sponsored violence, where noble determination conquers all.
The story of former Congresswoman Katie Hill.
We’re back for round two! Much like “AKB48+1”, this documentary goes through the English alphabet talking about a different aspect of the group for each letter. While still featuring tons of behind the scenes footage, it focuses more on member relations and the events of the past year (2012). Again, this documentary is a brilliant look into the diversity of the AKB48 experience. There’s so much about this group to learn, and the two bonus “AKB48+1” and “AKB48+1+10” documentaries provide a detailed look in a fun way.