IFC Center to present Opera in Cinema and Ballet in Cinema

IFC Center today announced a new program to bring Emerging Pictures' "Opera in Cinema" and "Ballet in Cinema" presentations to downtown Manhattan this spring. Featuring canonical works mounted by world's greatest opera and ballet companies-including La Scala, the Royal Opera, the Bolshoi and the Royal Ballet-these events present high-definition performances from such stars as Renée Fleming, Placido Domingo and Natalia Osipova. The April line-up is below.

Sunday, April 17 at 10:00am
LA TRAVIATA - Performed at the Royal Opera House, London
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi, Conducted by Antonio Pappano, Directed by Richard Eyre, Starring Renée Fleming
One of the most popular operas in the canon, La Traviata (literally, "The Fallen Woman") is the story of Violetta Valery, a courtesan in 19th-century France. The role of Violetta is considered one of the most challenging in the soprano repertoire-the score requires a vast range of vocal pyrotechnics, not to mention sheer endurance, as Violetta is onstage for nearly the entire opera. The Royal Opera House's production stars the celebrated American soprano Renée Fleming, alongside tenor Joseph Calleja and bass Thomas Hampson-all audience favorites.

Wednesday, April 20 at 8:00pm
GISELLE - Performed at the Royal Opera House, London
Composed by Adolphe Adam, Choreographed by Marius Petipa, Starring Marianela Nuñez and Rupert Pennefather
One of the most influential of all ballets, Giselle is one of the greatest and most popular works of the dance canon and of The Royal Ballet's repertory. The title role, a study in the transcendental power of a woman's love in the face of betrayal, is one of the most technically demanding and emotionally challenging roles in classical dance. "The Royal Ballet's revival of Giselle provides the succulent spectacle of a world-class company at the top of its game." -The Telegraph (UK)

Tuesday, April 26 at 2:00pm
RIGOLETTO FROM MANTUA - Shot live on-location in Mantua, Italy
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi, Conducted by Zubin Mehta, Directed by Marco Bellocchio/Andrea Andermann, Starring Placido Domingo & Vittorio Gigolo
Placido Domingo (of "Three Tenors" fame) takes on a new challenge-the title role of Rigoletto, shot live on location in the cobblestone streets of Mantua. In a ground-breaking and innovative event, presenter Katie Derham introduces the opera as it is performed in locations across the city with Domingo in the role of the hunchback court jester in Verdi's tragic masterpiece. Rigoletto from Mantua is a live film directed by noted auteur Marco Bellocchio (Vincere), conceived and produced by Andrea Andermann, conducted by Zubin Mehta and filmed by cinematographer Vittorio Storaro.

Thursday, April 28 at 3:00pm
DON QUIXOTE - Performed at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow
Composed by Ludwig Minkus, Choreographed by Alexei Fadeyechev after Marius Petipa & Alexander Gorsky, Starring Natalia Osipova & Ivan Vasiliev
A stunning production, based on Cervantes's epic masterpiece, originally created for the Bolshoi by Marius Pepita in 1869. "Since Osipova burst on to the international dance scene in show-stopping performances in Don Quixote, during a 2007 Bolshoi tour to London, the sheer energy and intensity of her stage presence has been as remarkable as her improbable floating jump and astounding technical prowess." - New York Times "Don Quixote is a romp of a ballet, all flashing eyes and virtuoso steps. Vasiliev and Osipova rampage through it, with outrageous charm and astounding technique. By the time we got to the curtain calls, the audience was standing and screaming for them." -The Independent (UK)

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