BP SUMMER BIG SCREENS 2009 & competition

The following has been released today (I've kept in the Opera sections as I know they are of interest to some as well as the ballet) :

FREE live opera and ballet on a record number of big screens around the UK from the Royal Opera House

42 screenings in 20 locations

The Royal Opera House is delighted to announce that this summer’s free BP Summer Big Screen performances are Ondine, La traviata and The Barber of Seville, three contrasting masterpieces of ballet and opera. The BP Summer Big Screen relays have continued to grow in popularity, regardless of the UK’s notorious summer weather!

This year sees the largest number of BP Summer Big Screens ever with more than 40 screenings in 20 locations. Aberdeen, Belfast, Bradford, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Rotherham, Ipswich, Swindon, Sunbury, Derby, Trafalgar Square and Canary Wharf in London will again have FREE live screenings through this ongoing collaboration between the Royal Opera House, BP and the BBC. New venues for 2009 are Bristol, Cardiff, Middlesbrough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Swansea and Waltham Forest.

The Royal Ballet’s production of Ondine kick starts this year’s BP Summer Big Screen performances on Wednesday 3 June at 7.30pm. The Royal Ballet brings to life the sea spirits and sailors of this romantic story, with magical scenes beneath the sea, in a Gothic castle and onboard a storm-tossed ship. Ondine will be screened to Belfast, Bradford, Bristol, Cardiff, Derby, Leeds, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Plymouth, Rotherham, Swansea, Trafalgar Square in London. Joining the presenting team this year will be Anton Du Beke live from Trafalgar Square.

Renée Fleming, the great American soprano, stars in The Royal Opera’s La traviata on Tuesday 30 June at 7pm, screened live to Aberdeen, Bradford, Bristol, Cardiff, Derby, Ipswich, Leeds, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Plymouth, Rotherham, Sunbury, Swansea, Trafalgar Square and Canary Wharf in London. Renée Fleming takes the role of doomed courtesan Violetta, with Joseph Calleja as her young lover Alfredo and Thomas Hampson as his unyielding father in this well known classic love story. Gareth Malone will join Deborah Bull as co-presenter live in Trafalgar Square.

The Barber of Seville completes this year’s screenings live from Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House on Wednesday 15 July at 7.30pm. With its familiar music, this most famous of all Italian comic operas features love, laughter and a resourceful heroine, aided and abetted by Figaro, town barber, extraordinaire. The Barber of Seville will be broadcast live to Waltham Forest, Bradford, Cardiff, Derby, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Rotherham, Swansea, Swindon, Trafalgar Square and Canary Wharf in London.

Tony Hall, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House, said: “I think it’s very exciting that we’re able to relay live opera and ballet performances from the Royal Opera House to all of these new and existing big screens across the country, and all completely free for audiences. This is a fantastic opportunity for family and friends to come together this summer and experience these world class performances in the outdoors, maybe even with a picnic. Each city creates a unique atmosphere – there’s such an air of excitement and expectation with hugely enthusiastic crowds. The support of both BP and the BBC has been critical to the success of the big screens, and we’re very excited that more people than ever before will be able to see our performances on the big screens this year.”

Competitions

40secfilm

The Royal Opera House and BP are looking for budding film-makers of all ages and experience to produce their own 40 second version of Ondine. A judging panel will select some of the best films to be showcased on the BP Summer Big Screens alongside The Royal Ballet’s Ondine in venues across the UK on Wednesday 3 June 2009 at 7.30pm.

The films can either be based on the ballet where a mortal falls in love with a water sprite, pledges his love and fidelity to her, but when he breaks that oath tragedy ensues; or be a self-created watery love story. Inspiration might come from that other great love story, The Little Mermaid, or maybe Splash, the more modern reading. Participants may express themselves in words, music, dance or even animation – the sky or sea the limit. But remember, take care if filming around water – be safe! For full competition details and information on the BP Summer Big Screens visit www.roh.org.uk/bpbigscreens

To submit an entry, take one of the following options:

Best option – 16.9 full height anamorphic on DV tape
Medium option – film it on a camcorder and send in on DVD
Fun option – film it on your mobile and email it to 40secfilm@roh.org.uk no bigger than 5mb for this option.

Participants must attach name, age and contact details. Films should be sent to ‘40 second films’ FAO BP Summer Big Screens, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD. Films must be suitable for family viewing. The deadline for entries is 26 May.


THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE BP SUMMER BIG SCREENS PROGRAMME 2009
Dates and Locations

Performance: Ondine Wednesday 3 June 7.30pm

Locations: Live to Trafalgar Square, London; Botanic Gardens, Belfast; Centenary Square, Bradford; Millennium Square, Bristol; The Hayes, Cardiff; Market Place, Derby; Millennium Square, Leeds; Exchange Square, Manchester; Centre Square, Middlesbrough; The Piazza, Plymouth; All Saints' Square, Rotherham; Castle Square, Swansea.

Performance: La traviata Tuesday 30 June 7pm

Locations: Live to Trafalgar Square, London; Canary Wharf, London, Duthie Park, Aberdeen; Centenary Square, Bradford; Millennium Square, Bristol; The Hayes, Cardiff; Market Place, Derby; Christchurch Park, Ipswich; Millennium Square, Leeds; Exchange Square, Manchester; Centre Square, Middlesbrough; The Piazza, Plymouth; All Saints Square, Rotherham; Chertsey Road, Sunbury; Castle Square, Swansea.

Performance: The Barber of Seville, Wednesday 15 July 7.30pm

Locations: Live to Trafalgar Square, London; Canary Wharf, London; Walthamstow Town Square, Waltham Forest; Centenary Square, Bradford; The Hayes, Cardiff; Market Place, Derby; Millennium Square, Leeds; Clayton Square, Liverpool; Exchange Square, Manchester; Centre Square, Middlesbrough; The Piazza, Plymouth; Guildhall Square, Portsmouth; All Saints Square, Rotherham; Castle Square, Swansea; Wharf Green, Swindon.