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THE METROPOLITAN OPERA LIVE IN HD FROM NEW YORK

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THE MET: LIVE IN HD PRESENTS LA BOHÈME BY PUCCINI DURING APRIL, EXCLUSIVE TO CINEMA NOUVEAU AND SELECT STER-KINEKOR THEATRES

 “[Vittorio Grigolo] sang with warmth and vigor, in his element as a passionate, boyish Rodolfo. Making her house debut was Anita Hartig, an admirable soprano who has sung the role of Mimi recently at Covent Garden and La Scala. She imbued her singing with both a shy plaintiveness and ardency in “Mi chiamano Mimì.  — The New York Times

The highly successful Season VII of Live in HD from The Metropolitan Opera in New York, launched exclusively at Cinema Nouveau and select Ster-Kinekor theatres in November last year. The season runs through to June this year, and features ten magnificent productions.

 During April and May, another glorious production will be screened at Cinema Nouveau and select Ster-Kinekor cinemas in the form of the classic love story, La Bohèmefrom the pen of Puccini, from 26 April, for a limited season.

An exciting young cast stars in Franco Zeffirelli’s breathtaking production of La Bohèmethe most-performed opera in Met history.  Italian star tenor Vittorio Grigolo makes his Live in HD debut as the passionate poet Rodolfo, and Romanian soprano Anita Hartig makes her highly anticipated Met debut as his fragile lover, Mimì. Susanna Phillips sings the flirtatious Musetta and Massimo Cavalletti is the painter, Marcello, in this performance led by Italian conductor Stefano Ranzani in his first Met performance of Puccini’s beloved opera.

Featuring a cast of hundreds, a glorious onstage snow scene, and a detailed reconstruction of the Latin Quarter in Paris, this broadcast marks 15 million viewers for the Live in HD series, which now reaches 66 countries worldwide.

La Bohème, the passionate, timeless, and indelible story of love among young artists in Paris, can stake its claim as the world’s most popular opera. It has a marvelous ability to make a powerful first impression (even to those new to opera) and to reveal unsuspected treasures after dozens of hearings.

At first glance, La Bohème is the definitive depiction of the joys and sorrows of love and loss; on closer inspection however, it reveals the deep emotional significance hidden in the trivial things (a bonnet, an old overcoat, a chance meeting with a neighbour) that make up our everyday lives.

The opera is written by Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924), who was immensely popular in his own lifetime and whose mature works remain staples in the repertory of most of the world’s opera companies. His operas are celebrated for their mastery of detail, sensitivity to everyday subjects, copious melody, and economy of expression. Puccini’s librettists for La Bohème, Giuseppe Giacosa (1847–1906) and Luigi Illica (1857–1919), also collaborated with Puccini on his two other most enduringly successful operas, Tosca and Madama Butterfly.

The libretto sets the action in Paris, circa 1830. This is not a random setting, but rather reflects the issues and concerns of a particular time and place. After the upheavals of revolution and war, French artists had lost their traditional support base of aristocracy and church and were desperate for new sources of income. The rising bourgeoisie took up the burden of patronising artists and earned their contempt in return.

The story, then, centres on self-conscious youth at odds with mainstream society, feeling themselves morally superior to the rules of the bourgeois (specifically regarding sexual mores) and expressing their independence with affectations of speech and dress. The Bohemian ambience of this opera is clearly recognisable in any modern urban centre, with La Bohème capturing perfectly this ethos in its earliest days.

La Bohème had its Met premiere while the company was on tour in Los Angeles (the same city where it received its American premiere) in 1900. Nellie Melba sang Mimì and improbably added the mad scene from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lamermoor as an encore after the final curtain (a practice she maintained for several other performances). This production lasted until 1952, when it was replaced by one designed by Rolf Gerard and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, who insisted his name be removed after a disagreement with some of the singers.

The current spectacular production by Franco Zeffirelli was unveiled in 1981 with an impressive cast that included Teresa Stratas, José Carreras, Renata Scotto, Richard Stilwell, and James Morris, with James Levine conducting. As the most performed opera in the Met’s history, La Bohème was presented at the Met in 58 consecutive seasons after its first appearance and has been performed in all but six seasons since 1900.

“Hartig was a strong dramatic force, conveying a sense of the vibrant, joyful spirit fighting against the oppressive fatigue of her illness. She brought the sort of glowing, mellifluous sound that makes Puccini’s writing light up. A tight, even vibrato and warm tone, paired with sculpted phrases made Hartig’s performance the one of the standout debuts of the season.” — New York Classical Review

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As with La Bohème, these grand opera productions are filmed at the magnificent Metropolitan Opera House in New York, home to some of the most talented singers, conductors, composers, orchestra musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers and dancers from around the world.  Their past productions have received great acclaim and have gained recognition around the world. Now, and as it has done since Live in HD began, Cinema Nouveau continues to provide audiences with the exclusive opportunity to witness these spectacular and award-winning near-live broadcasts in South Africa.

 

This glorious production that will be screened exclusively at Cinema Nouveau and select Ster-Kinekor theatres countrywide from Saturday, 26 April: Gateway Nouveau, Durban; V&A Nouveau in Cape Town; Somerset Mall, Cape Town; Blue Route Mall, Cape Town; Garden Route Mall, George; Rosebank Nouveau in Johannesburg; Bedford Centre, Johannesburg and at Brooklyn Nouveau, Pretoria.  Their release onto the big digital cinema screen affords South African lovers of opera the unique opportunity to become an integral part of these ‘near-live’ and breathtaking performances.

 

The running time of La Bohème is approximately 3hrs, 25mins, with two intermissions.

 

To book tickets and for more information, please visit: www.cinemanouveau.co.za| mobi-site: www.sterkinekor.mobi |Ticketline: 082 16789 (VAS rates apply) | Facebook: CinemaNouveau| Follow us on Twitter: @nouveaubuzz. Download theSK App to your smart phone for updates and to make bookings via your mobile phone.  

 

Video clip:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqEOdBVtGUE

 

Images for all The Met: Live in HD productions are available on the following site:www.skpictures.co.za

 

 

La Bohème – Puccini  (releases on 26 April 2014)

Conductor: Stefano Ranzani

Production: Franco Zeffirelli

Set Designer: Franco Zeffirelli

Costume Designer: Peter J. Hall

Lighting Designer: Gil Wechsler

Cast: Anita Hartig (Mimì), Susanna Phillips (Musetta), Vittorio Grigolo (Rodolfo), Massimo Cavalletti (Marcello), Patrick Carfizzi (Schaunard), Oren Gradus (Colline), Donald Maxwell (Benoit/Alcindoro)

An exciting young cast stars in Franco Zeffirelli’s classic production of La Bohème, the most-performed opera in Met history.  Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo stars as the passionate writer Rodolfo, and Romanian soprano Anita Hartig makes her Met debut as his consumptive lover, Mimì. Susanna Phillips sings the flirtatious Musetta and Massimo Cavalletti is the painter Marcello in this performance, led by rising conductor Stefano Ranzani.

 

 

 

 

Upcoming productions:

 

Così fan tutte – Mozart  (releases on 24 May 2014)

Conductor: James Levine

Production: Lesley Koenig

Designer: Michael Yeargan

Lighting Designer: Duane Schuler

Cast: Susanna Phillips (Fiordiligi), Isabel Leonard (Dorabella), Danielle de Niese (Despina), Matthew Polenzani (Ferrando), Rodion Pogossov (Guglielmo), Maurizio Muraro (Don Alfonso)

James Levine conducts the first Live in HD performance of Mozart’s barbed romance Così fan tutte. Lesley Koenig’s sleek production will star Susanna Phillips and Isabel Leonard as the sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella; Matthew Polenzani and Rodion Pogossov as their fiancés, Ferrando and Guglielmo; Danielle de Niese as their feisty maid Despina; and Maurizio Muraro as the cynical Don Alfonso.

 

La Cenerentola – Rossini  (releases on 07 June 2014)

Conductor: Fabio Luisi

Production: Cesare Lievi

Designer: Maurizio Balò

Lighting Designer: Gigi Saccomandi

Choreographer: Daniela Schiavone

Cast: Joyce DiDonato (Angelina), Juan Diego Flórez (Don Ramiro), Pietro Spagnoli (Dandini), Alessandro Corbelli (Don Magnifico), Luca Pisaroni (Alidoro)

Joyce DiDonato sings her first Met performances of the title character in Rossini’s Cinderella story, La Cenerentola, with bel canto master Juan Diego Flórez as her dashing prince. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leads a cast that also includes Pietro Spagnoli in his Met debut as the servant Dandini, Alessandro Corbelli as Cenerentola’s stepfather Don Magnifico, and Luca Pisaroni as Don Ramiro’s tutor, Alidoro.

 

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Art

SAVE THE DATE for the 2025 East Coast Radio House & Garden Show

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Pull out your diaries and a Big Red Pen.
East Coast Radio House & Garden Show 2025 is coming to town!

From the 28 June to 6 July 2025

fresh spaces. bright living – that’s the dynamic theme of this year’s East Coast Radio House + Garden Show. It’s the time and place to focus on our spaces and surrounds, and the endless opportunities for renewal and fresh energy. Come look at your home through fresh eyes! fresh spaces. bright living is designed to colour your world bright, set fire to your imagination, and equip you with all the tricks and tools to transform a tame house into a truly terrific one! The Show takes place at the Durban Exhibition Centre from 28 June to 6 July. It’s right here where you’ll uncover the very latest décor trends, innovative products, quick fixes and slow burns. Whether you’re up for a simple refresh or a major makeover, the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show 2025 has got you covered.

Happily for everyone, the Show will feature your absolute favourites… alongside some exciting newcomers! The Show Team is finalising fresh, fabulous Show elements, so to tantalise you… think super-legendary competitions with monumental prizes; foodies uniting in the kitchen over big brand names, and maybe a few famous faces; outdoor adventure products and activities climbing to new heights; and so, so much more marvellous kiddies’ entertainment than before.  The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is designed for families… just wait until the kids see what’s in store for them!

Eating in and dining out is a silver thread which runs through the Show, and this year promises some BIG foodie names… and equally, some famous little firecracker ones. And remember, as we get closer to Showtime, ticket specials will pop up here and there, so keep a sharp lookout for those great offers.

fresh spaces. bright living introduces a new energy to the Show, an irresistible one which will have you rethinking what makes a house your kind of home. The Show is the perfect blend of creativity and enjoyment, with wonderfully curated experiences for every member of the family. This is Durban’s longed-for house and garden hub under one roof, where you’ll discover dynamic new products and concepts, connect and converse with the country’s experts, and gather everything possible to create and enjoy fresh spaces and bright living. Pull out that diary!

Mark your calendars: The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show 2025 runs from 28 June to 6 July at the Durban Exhibition Centre.
For more information and updates, visit www.housegardenshow.co.za

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Attractions

On The Lawn music festival with Matthew Mole, Hollow Coves (AUS) and Amistat (AUS) comes to Durban for Valentine’s Weekend!

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Celebrate love, music, and connection this Valentine’s weekend with the highly anticipated On The Lawn Music Festival! Whether you’re planning a romantic day out with your special someone or simply looking to enjoy world-class music with loved ones, this festival promises an unforgettable experience at the beautiful Durban Botanic Gardens.

Taking to the stage is South Africa’s beloved singer-songwriter Matthew Mole, whose infectious energy and heartfelt lyrics have captured the hearts of fans nationwide. Known for hits like Take Yours, I’ll Take Mine and Run, Matthew Mole is a chart-topping sensation who blends folk, pop, and electronic sounds to create a unique musical experience. His ability to connect with audiences, whether through soulful ballads or upbeat anthems, has made him a household name and a festival favourite.

Joining him on stage are the internationally acclaimed indie-folk duo Hollow Coves from Australia and the talented twin brothers of Amistat, bringing their soulful sounds and inspiring messages to South African shores. There are more announcements to be made, so keep an eye on socials!

Globally celebrated indie-folk duo Hollow Coves bring their organic, acoustic-driven sound to South Africa as part of their Nothing to Lose Tour. The tour supports their critically acclaimed album Nothing to Lose, produced by Matt Corby and released via Nettwerk Music Group. Hailing from the Gold Coast, Matt Carins and Ryan Henderson craft music that celebrates life, nature, and human connection. Their introspective lyricism and serene melodies have garnered over half a billion streams worldwide and widespread acclaim from outlets like Billboard and Clash. From their debut EP Wanderlust to their certified Gold hit Coastline, Hollow Coves has become synonymous with soulful indie-folk anthems.

Prepare to be mesmerized by their ethereal harmonies and uplifting message as they perform in the lush surroundings of the Durban Botanic Gardens—a perfect setting for their serene and inspiring music.

Amistat. Twin brothers Josef and Jan Prasil, better known as Amistat, channel the heartfelt storytelling of Simon & Garfunkel with modern influences from Ben Howard and Kings of Convenience. Known for their seamless harmonies and emotional depth, Amistat’s music offers a unique connection that resonates with audiences worldwide. Their brand-new single, Loveblood, a collaboration with South African favourite Jeremy Loops, showcases their ability to blend raw emotion with dynamic soundscapes. Grab the chance to witness this extraordinary duo as they captivate the crowd with songs that inspire love, hope, and togetherness.

Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s weekend in the most magical way—surrounded by music, nature, and loved ones.

For more information and to secure your tickets, visit onthelawn.co.za.

—–

Date: Saturday 15th February 2025
Venue: On The Lawn, uMphafa Field, Durban Botanic Gardens
Address: 9A John Zikhali Road, Berea, Durban 4001
Line up: Matthew Mole, Hollow Coves, Amistat and more to be announced

Times: 11:00 – 18:00

Ticket prices:
Early Bird: R295 excl R30 Fee
Phase 1: R345 excl R35 Fee
Phase 2: R395 excl R35 Fee

Children aged 5 and under enter FREE.
Food is welcome (no own drinks permitted).
Food vendors and bars will be available on-site.
Camping chairs and small umbrellas are allowed (no gazebos).

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Attractions

Let’s Rock – Concert in the Park on Valentine’s Weekend

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Breakout Events is counting down the days as Let’s Rock, the UK’s most iconic 80s music festival, is making its highly anticipated debut in South Africa in just a few days! Known for its stellar lineups and incredible 80s nostalgia, Let’s Rock is bringing two unforgettable events to Johannesburg and Durban, featuring a mix of international legends and local icons from Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, Midge Ure (Ultravox/Visage), PJ Powers, Just Jinjer and many more.

Event Dates:
● Let’s Rock Johannesburg – Saturday, 15 February 2025 at Marks Park, Emmarentia
● Let’s Rock Durban – Sunday, 16 February 2025 at Durban Botanic Gardens

Tickets are on sale here.
Get ready to experience a full day of music that will take you back to the best of the 80s and beyond!

Known for leading the charge since 2009 in 80’s music festivals, Let’s Rock is renowned for its fun, family- friendly atmosphere, offering something for every generation to enjoy.
Headlining both shows are 80s music icons, Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey and Midge Ure (Ultravox/Visage), who will perform their timeless hits that shaped a generation. These legendary
performers are set to bring the true essence of the 80s experience straight from the UK to South Africa’s
stages!

Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey

For nearly three decades fans of the Thompson Twins have waited for more live performances from one of the most iconic bands of the eighties. Now The Thompson Twins’ vocalist Tom Bailey, with a new band, is touring and performing the big Thompson Twins hits and more. The Thompson Twins had huge hits on both sides of the Atlantic. Songs such as ‘Hold Me Now’, ‘Doctor Doctor’, ‘You Take Me Up’ and ‘Love On Your Side’ provided the soundtrack for so many people’s lives worldwide in the mid-eighties. In 1985 The Thompson Twins played ‘Hold Me Now’ at Live Aid in Philadelphia and also performed the Beatles‘Revolution’ with Madonna and Nile Rogers. The Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey features Tom Bailey on vocals, keyboards, guitar, harmonica, and percussion. His all-female band features Charlotte Raven on vocals and keyboards, Vicky Warwick on bass, vocals and keyboards, and Paulina Szczepaniak on electronic drums.

Midge Ure

Multiple award-winning, platinum-selling Midge Ure is an artist who needs very little introduction. Musical success is seldom measured in periods of more than a few years, if not Andy Warhol’s often quoted “fifteen minutes”, so the fact that by the time Midge’s single “If I Was” went to the No 1 spot in 1985 he had already crammed several musical lifetimes into a 10-year professional career with bands like Thin Lizzy, Visage, the legendary Ultravox and of course the most famous one-off group in musical history Band Aid, writing and producing one of the world’s most recognised songs ever with “Do they know it’s Christmas.”

Local Legends:
South Africa’s own music heroes will also be lighting up the Let’s Rock stages, including:

● Steve Louw’s Big Sky (Joburg show only)
● Just Jinjer
● PJ Powers
● Cindy Alter (from Clout)
● John Ellis (from Tree63)
● James Stewart (from The Usual)
● Brent Harris and Thee Jam

This epic lineup ensures an electric celebration of music from the past and present, making Let’s Rock the ultimate party you won’t want to miss.

Don’t miss out on the chance to relive the magic of the 80s and 90s with unforgettable performances, great vibes, and incredible artists. Grab your tickets and get ready for an exciting trip down memory lane!

Date: Sunday 16 February 2025
Time: 13h00 – 19h00
Venue: Durban Botanic Gardens
Address: Umphafa Field, 9A John Zikhali Road, Berea, Durban, 4001
Line-up: Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, Midge Ure, Just Jinjer, PJ Powers, Cindy Alter (Clout), John Ellis (Tree63), James Stewart (The Usual), Brent Harris and Thee Jam
All Ages. Children under 5yrs old enter for free.

Tickets:

General Admission (Ages 5 – 17 yrs): R195 (excluding ticket

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