London—Jan 26, 2011
More2screen Team Up with Odeon, Vue and Apollo to Broadcast the World’s First Live 3D Opera to Cinemas
More2Screen, is delighted to announce that on 23 February
2011 the world’s first live opera in digital 3D will be broadcast to selected
cinemas across the UK and Ireland. Working with Sky 3D and English National
Opera (ENO) and with Arqiva
providing the satellite connectivity, cinemas including Odeon, Vue, Apollo and Ormonde are amongst the venues hosting the ground-breaking
screening of Donizetti’s Lucrezia Borgia.
A leading distributor to
digital cinemas worldwide, More2Screen
has an enviable track record in bringing a wide range of alternative content to
the cinema screen, from more than 15 live opera and concerts broadcasts to
event films, music documentaries and educational features. The London-based
company has been responsible for a number of ‘firsts’, including the first-ever
live concert broadcast in high-definition with Robbie Williams in 2005, and in
distributing Glyndebourne to cinemas in 2008 - the first UK opera company to
venture onto the digital big screen.
Christine Costello,
Managing Director, More2Screen comments: “We are delighted to be behind this
ground-breaking event which will be a world-first for cinema. Lucrezia Borgia live in 3D will combine
the thrilling atmosphere of a live opera broadcast with the superb visual
quality of 3D projection and will be screened in selected cinemas across the UK
and Ireland.”
This new production of Donizetti’s rarely performed17th century opera by the ENO will in turn be directed
in 3D by the multi-talented artist and film-maker, Mike Figgis. In addition, a
newly commissioned film by the director will play during the intervals of the
performance. ENO’s Olivier Award-winning former Music Director, Paul Daniel, conducts.
George Eyles, Head of Digital Cinema,
Arqiva, says: “Arqiva is delighted to be working with More2Screen and its
partners on delivering another world first - the first live 3D opera. As
one of the world's leading satellite delivery companies our role is to achieve
technical excellence combined with innovation - such as delivering live 3D to
digital cinemas.”
The opera will also be broadcast live on Sky Arts
1 and 2 plus Sky 3D. John Cassy, Channel Director, Sky 3D commented: “Simultaneously
broadcasting on three channels, as well as the world’s first live 3D opera in
cinemas, is a huge challenge but one we’re delighted to tackle as part of our
ambition to bring the best of the arts to new audiences in exciting and
innovative ways.”