No royal beginnings for this Queen of Country Music. Known for her larger-than-life positive attitude parading big hair and bold make-up, Dolly Parton would carved out her own identity as a singer, movie actress, and entrepreneur.
Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali (Conventions and Inconveniences of the Stage) is a two-act opera that shines an exaggerated spotlight on the behind-the-scenes working of a theatre and the rehearsal process, showing what can go wrong when the egos of the performers get in the way of putting on a good show. A regional (and mediocre) operatic troupe is rehearsing a new work and faces numerous obstacles. The prima donna acts every bit the diva, refusing to rehearse. The Tenor finds himself in the wrong production and quite out of his depth. The Seconda Donna’s mother (played by a baritone) demands that her daughter be given a more prominent role, before deciding to take on several roles herself. Not be outshone, the Prima Donna’s husband takes to the stage too. When the show eventually collapses and the company tries to flee under cover of night, rather than pay back all the investors (whose money has already been spent), the Impresario has other plans…
Composed for the Paris Opéra, the romantic but ultimately tragic narrative of Donizetti’s grand opera La Favorite is set amidst the Moorish invasions of Spain and the power struggles between religion and the state in the 14th century. The novice Fernand abandons his monastery having fallen in love with the noble Léonor, not knowing that she is the King’s mistress and favourite. Drawing on traditions established by Rossini and Meyerbeer, La Favorite is noted for Donizetti’s innovative use of the orchestra and for some of his most renowned and enthralling arias. This acclaimed production opened the 2022 Donizetti Opera Festival in Bergamo, and is performed with its original French libretto.
Joni Mitchell has been called the queen of folk music and one of the biggest pop stars of the 60s and 70s. Even today, her lyrics and unique guitar style continue to inspire new generations of singers and songwriters.
She was not the standard Jersey girl. Whitney Houston was best known by fans as 'The Voice' for her mezzo-soprano vocal range. Whitney's world was a roller coaster ride plagued by drugs, drama, and an untimely death.
Meet former gravedigger and doorman Ike Reilly. At 40 years old he landed a major label recording contract and in true rock and roll fashion he bought his family a dream home. He took his band out on the road where they became what The New York Times called "one of the best live bands in America." Despite 9 albums, a cult following and immense critical acclaim Reilly has failed to achieve commercial success. Academy Award winning director James Marsh says, "Ike's stuff sounds like it should be enormously successful and it just isn't and I have no idea why." Exploring Ike's career, the film culls over 40 years of footage masterfully weaving in songs that reveal a complicated and formidable artist with an incredibly charismatic family. Struggling with booze and in the face of foreclosure, Ike finds redemption in music, art and family as his 3 sons begin performing with his band.
The "Queen of Bubblegum Rap" was never a fairytale princess. Despite her early years of struggles, Nicki Minaj would prevail with 100 million records sold, 7 songs on the Billboard Charts at the same time and 10 Grammy nominations.
Rude Boy is a semi-documentary, part character study, part ‘rockumentary’, featuring a British punk band, The Clash. The script includes the story of a fictional fan juxtposed with actual public events of the day, including political demonstrations and Clash concerts. Filmed over a period of years, the written dialog takes on the appearance of improvisation.
Now full restored in hi-definition with all new 5.1 surround sound.
Filmed as a fictional documentary, Rude Boy the movie follows punk (Ray Gange) as he quits his job in a West End sex shop to become a roadie for the most exciting band in the country – THE CLASH.
Capturing THE CLASH during their ‘CLASH ON PATROL’&’SORT IT OUT’ UK tours of 1978, Rude Boy is an unparalleled film document of one of the best live bands ever.
Originally set in the 15th c century, Tchaikovsky's "The Enchantress" is updated to the present day in this innovative production. The charismatic, emancipated Nastasya, who rejects the advances of the devious Mamïrov, duly faces the implacable forces of traditional values in a society riven by divisions between liberal freedoms and religious orthodoxies. The tragic outcome engulfs everyone...
Long Island (aka the Big Fish) was home to a blues scene that was one of the most incredible and fantastic musical experiences. From the early 1960's through the 1990's, people went to music clubs to hear the blues. Long Island was a home base to many of the top blues musicians who had fans from all over the world. Back in the day, fans would follow them weekly from club to club while their popularity grew worldwide. The Big Fish Blues documentary reveals a genre and a host of incredible performances by these Long Island blues greats. You will also learn about their journeys to success from their personal stories. So sit back, relax, let your hair down, and simply have some fun as you experience the "Blues way of life."
Long before the days of platinum and gold success, a rapper’s worth was in the DJ’s placement within his mix. Ultimately, it would be the growing popularity and increased necessity of The Mixtapes created by DJ’s that would serve as the lifeline to Hip Hop, as it grew into the most celebrated art form.
An exploration of the unique and wholly improvisational creative process of the revolutionary “avant-groove” band Medeski, Martin & Wood, as they endeavor to record a new album at the famed Allaire Studio, twenty-five years after their formation.
Indie pop duo Lena and James are rising artists whose songs leave fans wondering if they are more than just bandmates. Their first album leads them to reflect on how deep their relationship really runs.
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.
Orson Welles' heart has just stopped. We enter his mind in this moment, on the threshold between life and death. In the bardo Orson's thoughts unspool as a stream of consciousness that loops back on itself, like a mobius strip.
Todd Rundgren's THE INDIVIDUALIST LIVE concert was filmed and recorded live during the summer of 2019 at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe, PA. Together with long time band members Jesse Gress, Greg Hawkes, Prairie Prince, Bobby Strickland and Kasim Sulton, Todd mesmerizes his audience for over 2 hours covering his illustrious career of hit songs much to the delight of his adoring fans!