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Classic Melbourne
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German choreographer Sasha Waltz, a key figure in contemporary dance, has revisited the story of Romeo and Juliet for the Paris Opera Ballet and, in doing so, has concentrated on the essential simple truth of the story: the passion of the lovers. All other elements of the legend, as told by Shakespeare, are peripheral – literally, in most cases as they take place to the side of the stage while the lovers dance with eyes only for each other. The minimalist set centres on a large white platform with few props – so that the heaping of stones to suggest the tomb has striking visual impact. In contrast, the suggestion of a party scene was hilarious for its lack of decoration: women and men in shiny costumes crowded together on the spot and mimed socializing: eating, drinking, gesticulating at a frenzied pace. They were in sharp contrast to the other dancers and singers in their black and white, evidently mirroring life and death, rather than the usual contrasting colours of the Montagues and Capulets. The music by Berlioz, his Dramatic Symphony, added solo and chorus singing to the expected dance and music. So beautiful and powerful was this music that it deserves equal weight in the review – and is said to be Sasha Waltz’s starting point for her choreography. As for the dancing, Aurelie Dupont and Herve Moreau are the stars (and the star-crossed lovers) of this film and, thanks to Waltz and their own beautiful and convincing performances, dominate the stage. This has the effect of making other performers seem more peripheral than they deserve to be. This was particularly so in the final scene when the dead lovers had to lie on uncomfortable rocks for what seemed like an eternity. Around them there was glorious singing and beautiful dancing, but it went almost unnoticed. That in itself was a tragedy! Overall, a very welcome film in the tradition of The Met: Live series and, with screenings all over Australia, an opportunity for many more audiences to explore the ballet. Don’t miss it! Rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5 Roméo et Juliette Performed by l’Opéra national de Paris Ballet Choreography and direction: Sasha Waltz (Opéra national de Paris, 2007) Music: Hector Berlioz Set design: Pia Maier-Schriever, Thomas Schenk and Sasha Waltz Costumes: Bernd Skodzig Lighting: David Finn With Etoiles, Premiers Danseurs and Corps de Ballet Paris Opera Orchestra conducted by Vello Pähn Symphonie Dramatique, Op. 17 (1839) Text by Emile Deschamps after William Shakespeare In limited national release June 16 – 17 PARTICIPATING CINEMAS: VIC: Cinema Nova, Village Rivoli, Palace Dendy Brighton, Sorrento Athenaeum, Theatre Royal Castlemaine, Sun Theatre Bairnsdale NSW: Hayden Orpheum Cremorne, Dendy Opera Quays, Chauvel Cinema, Riverside Theatre Parramatta, Arcadia Twin Cinema Ulladulla, Narooma Cinema, Town Hall Theatre Temora, Scotty’s Cinema Centre Raymond Terrace QLD: Palace Centro, Dendy Portside, BCC Maroochydore ACT: Dendy Canberra SA: Palace Nova Eastend WA: Windsor Cinemas Nedlands TAS: CMAX Devonport

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Suzanne Yanko

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Events Calendar

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  • July 2022

Calendar of Events

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1 event, 27

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Affinity Quartet – Through the Looking Glass

June 27 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Affinity Quartet – Through the Looking Glass

The next generation of Australia’s chamber music stars. Program Caroline Shaw Entr’acte Joseph Haydn String Quartet Op.76/4 ‘Sunrise’ Béla Bartók String…

$40 – $50

1 event, 28

7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Great Performers Series: Diana Doherty & Bernadette Harvey

June 28 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Great Performers Series: Diana Doherty & Bernadette Harvey

A commanding, trailblazing oboist at the top of her musical game. In this concert, Diana Doherty unites with pianist Bernadette Harvey…

$49 – $115

0 events, 29

1 event, 30

7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

June 30 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

Xian Zhang, the first female conductor to hold a titled role with a BBC Orchestra, joins forces with the MSO and…

$64 – $119

1 event, 1

7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

July 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

Xian Zhang, the first female conductor to hold a titled role with a BBC Orchestra, joins forces with the MSO and…

$64 – $119

1 event, 2

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Concert for Peace

July 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Concert for Peace

lMelbourne Bach Chamber Choir & Orchestra, organ and soloists, conducted by Rick Prakhoff A programme of works on the theme of…

$25 – $40

0 events, 3

1 event, 4

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Duo Eclettico – From the Forest and Seas

July 4 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Duo Eclettico – From the Forest and Seas

About Duo Eclettico Award-winning Duo Eclettico explore the wealth of repertoire available for their unique combination of instruments – saxophone and…

$40 – $50

1 event, 5

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Evolution of the Piano

July 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Evolution of the Piano

Tracing the piano’s metamorphosis through time. About the artists Stephanie McCallum has become renowned for a pianistic practice based on refined…

$40 – $50

1 event, 6

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Arcadia Winds – Destiny

July 6 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Arcadia Winds – Destiny

Unrivaled energy and spontaneity inspired by the notion of destiny. About Arcadia Winds Arcadia Winds are trailblazers for Australian wind music,…

$30 – $37

1 event, 7

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Kristian Chong & Friends – The Brahms’ Sonatas with Timo Veikko Valve

July 7 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Kristian Chong & Friends – The Brahms’ Sonatas with Timo Veikko Valve

From brooding to vibrant with Brahms’s sonatas for cello and piano. About Kristian Chong & Friends Kristian Chong and Friends is…

$40 – $50

0 events, 8

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1 event, 12

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Parlour – Women’s Voices

July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Parlour – Women’s Voices

A uniquely moving experience in celebration of women. About the artists The Parlour focuses on the sung storytelling of Art Song…

$30 – $37

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June 27
June 27 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Affinity Quartet – Through the Looking Glass

June 28
June 28 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Great Performers Series: Diana Doherty & Bernadette Harvey

  • There are no events on this day.
June 30
June 30 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

July 1
July 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

July 2
July 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Concert for Peace

  • There are no events on this day.
July 4
July 4 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Duo Eclettico – From the Forest and Seas

July 5
July 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Evolution of the Piano

July 6
July 6 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Arcadia Winds – Destiny

July 7
July 7 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Kristian Chong & Friends – The Brahms’ Sonatas with Timo Veikko Valve

July 12
July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Parlour – Women’s Voices

July 7
July 7 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Kristian Chong & Friends – The Brahms’ Sonatas with Timo Veikko Valve

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July 12
July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Parlour – Women’s Voices

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