HANDA OPERA ON SYDNEY HARBOUR: CARMEN

HANDA OPERA ON SYDNEY HARBOUR: CARMEN, a set on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Sydney’s cultural glitterati walked the red carpet and enjoyed the opening night of “Carmen”.
CARMEN

A sizzling new outdoor staging of Bizet's famous love story

“The inaugural Opera on the Harbour was a triumph. Whether you're going for the spectacle or the music, whether you're an opera buff or novice, you won't be disappointed.” The Australian

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will take your breath away. From the moment you enter the magical harbour-edge setting, take your first sip of champagne and look across the astonishing floating stage at one of the world's most beautiful cities, you'll understand why images of the spectacular first production were beamed across the world and why critics and audiences were in raptures.

In 2013, Carmen takes the stage; dangerous, sexy and incandescent in a thrilling new production by Opera Australia.

Carmen tells the story of the naive soldier Don Josè who abandons his childhood sweetheart and deserts the army when he falls under the alluring gypsy's spell. When he loses her love to the dashing toreador Escamillo, the scene is set for jealousy and vengeance. Bizet's seductive melodies and fiery Spanish rhythms conjure a world of desire, defiance and doom, in some of the world's best loved music, including the Habanera, Seguidilla, Flower Song and Toreador Song.

This awe-inspiring production by one of Australia's most daringly theatrical directors, Gale Edwards (The Boy From Oz, La Bohème), and award-winning designers Brian Thomson (The Rocky Horror Show, La Traviata on Sydney Harbour) and Julie Lynch (Travesties, La Bohème), features richly costumed soldiers, smugglers, cigarette girls, urchins, matadors and flamenco dancers swirling across the luminous set, lit by fireworks...to reveal more would ruin the surprise.

Come early and soak up the atmosphere as the whole precinct is transformed into a Spanish fiesta, with tapas bars and restaurants offering a wide range of pre-performance drinking and dining options.

Websites

Opera On Sydney Harbour
www.operaonsydneyharbour.com.au

Opera Australia - Handa Opera
www.opera-australia.org.au/whatson/events/detail?prodid=8...

HANDA OPERA ON SYDNEY HARBOUR: CARMEN - OPENING NIGHT RED CARPET Sydney’s cultural glitterati walked the red carpet and enjoyed the opening night of “Carmen”.

CARMEN

A sizzling new outdoor staging of Bizet's famous love story 

“The inaugural Opera on the Harbour was a triumph. Whether you're going for the spectacle or the music, whether you're an opera buff or novice, you won't be disappointed.” The Australian

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will take your breath away. From the moment you enter the magical harbour-edge setting, take your first sip of champagne and look across the astonishing floating stage at one of the world's most beautiful cities, you'll understand why images of the spectacular first production were beamed across the world and why critics and audiences were in raptures.

In 2013, Carmen takes the stage; dangerous, sexy and incandescent in a thrilling new production by Opera Australia.

Carmen tells the story of the naive soldier Don Josè who abandons his childhood sweetheart and deserts the army when he falls under the alluring gypsy's spell. When he loses her love to the dashing toreador Escamillo, the scene is set for jealousy and vengeance. Bizet's seductive melodies and fiery Spanish rhythms conjure a world of desire, defiance and doom, in some of the world's best loved music, including the Habanera, Seguidilla, Flower Song and Toreador Song.

This awe-inspiring production by one of Australia's most daringly theatrical directors, Gale Edwards (The Boy From Oz, La Bohème), and award-winning designers Brian Thomson (The Rocky Horror Show, La Traviata on Sydney Harbour) and Julie Lynch (Travesties, La Bohème), features richly costumed soldiers, smugglers, cigarette girls, urchins, matadors and flamenco dancers swirling across the luminous set, lit by fireworks...to reveal more would ruin the surprise.

Come early and soak up the atmosphere as the whole precinct is transformed into a Spanish fiesta, with tapas bars and restaurants offering a wide range of pre-performance drinking and dining options.

Websites

Opera On Sydney Harbour

www.operaonsydneyharbour.com.au

Opera Australia - Handa Opera

www.opera-australia.org.au/whatson/events/detail?prodid=80124

Discovered at Marble Bar finalists announced

Five bands battle it out for a chance to win a $10,000 residency in Marble Bar
SYDNEY – 22 March 2013 It’s time to come out and show your support for Sydney’s live music community, as Hilton Sydney and Marble Bar announce the top five acts who have advanced to the finale of “Discovered at Marble” Facebook competition.

The social media based competition commenced in January and ended March 2013.  30 eclectic entries were received through Marble Bar’s Facebook page with the music genres ranging from pop, rock, soul, R&B, swing, jazz and lounge. The general public were encouraged to vote for their favourite acts with almost 6000 votes received.

The top five Sydney based finalists as voted by the public are:

• Neil Noble – solo acoustic performer
• Larger Than Lions – pop rock trio
• Night School  - neo-soul quartet
• Souled Out Performers –  funk, rock quartet  
• G. C. O'Connor and the Loveless Children -  jazz, soul and R&B trio

The acts will now move onto the “Discovered at Marble” finale where they will perform in front of a panel of judges and the general public. The event will be streamed live through the Marble Bar Facebook page with live voting taking place as well as, the judges whose votes will decide who will be ‘discovered’. Only one act will win a two month Wednesday night residency in Marble Bar valued at $10,000!

“Discovered at Marble Bar” finale

Date: Wednesday 27 March

Time: 6.30pm

Where: Marble Bar, basement, Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street

The finale is open to the public, come one come all and support Sydney’s live music talent!

Visit the Marble Bar facebook page to see who will be battling it out.

“Discovered at Marble” is supported by Rolling Stone Magazine Australia, MTV Australia, The Music Network, Corona and Boca Lupo Energy drink.

“Discovered at Marble” judges:

·         Drew Michel – Director Of Programming- MTV Australia & New Zealand

• Matt Coyte – Editor in Chief – Rolling Stone Magazine
• Chris Moss – Managing Director – Entertainment Marketing Group
• Deni G – Brown Sugar Entertainment

Marble Bar being one of Sydney’s most iconic live music haunts is an advocate for supporting the live music community. Tucked underneath the hotel, Marble Bar is one of the only bars in the city that isn’t affected by current regulations and legislations and isn’t constrained by noise restrictions. By launching “Discovered at Marble” Hilton Sydney aims to further highlight the importance of live music and supporting the local community. Marble Bar aims to keep the scene alive through campaigns such as “Discovered at Marble” which is just the start; throughout 2013 the bar is aiming to support live music through a program of showcasing local undiscovered talent. 

Steeped in rich history Marble Bar is one of Sydney’s oldest and most historic landmarks. Built in 1893 behind The Lord Nelson Pub and Kirribilli House Marble Bar has survived the test of time as one of Sydney’s most lively music hubs. In its 120 extraordinary years Marble Bar’s stage has, played host to acts who have gone on to perform on The Voice and become international stars including UK songstress Duffy. Marble Bar’s stage has played host to an eclectic mix of local and international stars including LMFAO, Cold Chisel, Wycleaf Jean, Eric Bonet, Jake Shears from the Scissor Sisters, Eve, The Veronicas, Slash and Liza Minnelli -  to name a few!

QANTAS WELCOMES THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW TO AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY, 22 March 2013: Qantas has welcomed The Ellen DeGeneres Show down under for a 6 day visit that is expected to boost the global profile of Australia as a great place to visit.
Qantas has partnered with Australian company Swisse Wellness, which is bringing The Ellen DeGeneres Show to Australia to film a series of segments screening worldwide in April, as part of the airline’s support for tourism.

The talk show host and her crew arrived into Sydney on QF108 from Los Angeles this morning on an A380 temporarily renamed The Ellen DeGeneres Show Express for the 14 hour flight.
Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Alan Joyce, said having the popular show film segments in Victoria and New South Wales was a major coup for tourism.
“Australia has already been a regular feature on The Ellen DeGeneres Show since this trip was announced in January,” said Mr Joyce.

“The exposure so far, the coverage from this visit and the segments filmed in Australia to be screened as part of the show is priceless for the tourism industry. It’s another way to showcase our everyday culture, natural beauty, iconic wildlife and our sense of humour.
“We are excited to be part of it and thrilled that Ellen, her family and her crew chose to fly with Qantas for her very first trip to Australia,” he added.

As part of the original announcement of the visit, Qantas gave each member of The Ellen DeGeneres Show audience on the day a free return trip to Sydney or Melbourne. More than 100 audience members have already booked their flight, with a quarter of them choosing to bring another person.
Audience members were given the ability to pick travel dates that suited them and the average trip duration so far is seven days. More bookings are expected around the November Thanksgiving holiday period in the US.

The United States is a key source market for Australian tourism.
Qantas operates a total of 37 flights a week between Australia and the United States. Bookings from the US during January and February have shown a significant strengthening compared with the same period in the past year.

The Ellen Degeneres Show has a global audience of more than 16 million people in 23 countries.