Saint-Petersburg—Dec 14, 2009
Live Broadcast of Carmen Opera from La Scala, Milan Was of Great Success in Russian Digital Cinema
Jam Hall Cinema and NEVAFILM EMOTION, Nevafilm’s department specializing in theatrical distribution of concert and music events, have opened new page in the history of cinema exhibition in Russia: on December 7, 2009 the unique event was taking place – live broadcast of Carmen, Georges Bizet’s opera, a brand new production from La Scala, Milan.
Live presentation of popular opera from world famous opera house was of great success among classic music adorers in Saint-Petersburg: all tickets were sold out despite quite high price (more than twice as higher than for usual movie shows).
Viewers were taking pleasure in wonderful performance of the actors. From the very beginning of the show they’ve found themselves in the atmosphere of opera hall in La Scala. In the real time they followed main characters (public in the cinema was very impressed) and incomparable orchestra sounding (especially close-ups of conductor’s expressive waves and instruments’ solo).
Everything was amazing – stage solution from Emma Dante, singing of Carmen - Anita Rachvelishvili (Italian critics say it is a triumph), tenor Jonas Kaufmann, one of the brightest European singers of his generation (Don José), beautiful Escamillo played by singer and actor Erwin Schrott and others.
Nevafilm Company has provided high-quality HD projection and 5.1 sound, as well as Russian subtitling in real time!
Carmen opera performance is the third presentation in the opera series for digital cinemas in Russia. The season was opened on 13 October 2009 with La Traviata, Giuseppe Verdi, and on 17 November started Maria Stewart, Gaetano Donizetti screenings, La Scala production both. Currently series of Milan opera are in the repertoire of cinemas in 15 Russian cities. However live broadcast of Carmen was possible in Saint-Petersburg only because of limited cover abilities of European Atlantic Bird 3 (AB3)) satellite. Encore showings of Carmen will be available on July 2010 in all Russian cinemas. The nearest presentations from La Scala opera series are Aida, Giuseppe Verdi (15 December) and Il Trittico, Puccini.