BRANAGH TO UNLEASH OPERA MOVIE IN VENICE

WOD says hmmm...

Director KENNETH BRANAGH is set to startle audiences at the Venice Film Festival in Italy next week (07SEP06), when he unveils his new movie adaptation of famous opera THE MAGIC FLUTE. Branagh admits he initially found making the film, based on the opera by WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART, hard-going as he preferred pop music. But, with the help of screenwriter STEPHEN FRY, Branagh soon fell in love with opera. He says, "I've never tried opera. I was raised on pop music. It's a whole new medium for me. Stephen, of course, is an opera buff and was a natural choice. "I come from a words tradition. But after two-and-a-half years making the film, my enthusiasm has never waned."

Puccini's La Rondine with Anna Moffo is the featured opera today on What's Opera, Doc?

Puccini's La Rondine with Moffo is the featured opera today on What's Opera, Doc?
This performance features Anna Moffo, Daniele Barrioni, Mario Sereni, Garziellla Sciutti, and Pradelli conducting the RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra.

Listen by clicking the link to the rght, or HERE. 10AM-1PM EST. and go to "Listen Live".
If you are using Windows Media Player, make sure to choose "Stream Help" and follow the instructions.

No show on Tuesday the 15th of August

...and its not because I don't want to bring you the last in "Mozart Madness - all 20 operas in the order they were written", but because I have to travel a LOT tomorrow. 3 locations in one day.

See you next week, in the meantime, if you are in NYC, go visit these ladies, who have put together an awfully fun way of presenting opera.

Leave it to someone from Michigan to find a great concept, since classical music isn't exactly our strong suit.

:)

Update: the ever-fabulous Dima pointed out that apparently just might be beyond my current capabilities.

Its been a long week.

RIP Madame Schwarzkopf

We will miss you - a lovely voice, a lovely performer, and an opera legend - Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, gone today.

:(