[Press Release]
RealD Inc. and the Royal Opera House today announced that the companies are collaborating on the filming of Madama Butterfly in 3D for release exclusively in RealD 3D-equipped theatres worldwide. A follow-up to the companies’ recent co-production of Carmen in 3D, the first-ever opera filmed and distributed to theatres in 3D, Madama Butterfly will be a co-production of RealD and the Royal Opera House, filmed during live performances at Covent Garden in July and released in RealD 3D-equipped theatres on a date to be announced in 2012.
“We are committed to leveraging the immersive power of our 3D technology to give audiences a truly differentiated entertainment experience while providing our theatre partners with exclusive added value content,” said Joseph Peixoto, President, Worldwide Cinema at RealD. “Madama Butterfly will build on our successful production of Carmen in 3D by giving 3D fans a unique perspective on the arts and expanding the 3D cinema opportunity by introducing new audiences around the world to the RealD 3D experience. Madama Butterfly in RealD 3D will allow audiences to go beyond simply watching the performance and feel as if they’ve literally stepped into Covent Garden and on stage alongside the performers.”
Tony Hall, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House, added, “Madama Butterfly is one of our audiences’ favorite productions, so to be able to share this with a global audience with the power of 3D in cinemas is wonderful. It’s an opera full of drama and stunning music. I’m really pleased that we can build on the success of Carmen in 3D with RealD and progress our partnership in creating unique experiences for opera and cinema fans the world over.”
The performance’s stage direction is by Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier, with cast including Patricia Racette in the titular role of Cio-Cio-San, a role for which she is acclaimed worldwide, and James Valenti, as a dashing Pinkerton. The esteemed Andris Nelsons will conduct The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Reprising their roles from Carmen in 3D, Phil Streather will produce and Julian Napier will direct for film.
Puccini’s Madama Butterfly is the story of a Japanese geisha’s unwavering love for an American naval officer whose thoughtless toying with her devotion is the catalyst for this timeless tragic tale. Madama Butterflyfeatures music of rare and sensual beauty, but also of heartrending power as the tragedy unfolds to its devastating conclusion. The opera’s ravishing score features such wonderfully lyrical passages as Cio-Cio-San’s first entrance, Pinkerton’s seduction of her, the famous Humming chorus, and of course Butterfly’s ‘un bel dì vedremo’.
See the press release here: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/RealD-and-Royal-Opera-House-bw-1557912321.html?x=0&.v=1