Conte Caruso Art Critics

Οι πιανίστες Σπύρος Σουλαδάκης και Χρήστος Μακρόπουλος ερμήνευσαν Rachmaninoff και Chopin στο ATHENAEUM

2012-02-21T02:07:00.000-08:00

Αθήνα 20 Φεβρουαρίου. Στην αίθουσα “La Divina” του Διεθνούς Καλλιτεχνικού Κέντρου και Ωδείου ATHENAEUM απολαύσαμε δυο υπέροχους πιανίστες σε ένα ενδιαφέρον ρομαντικής περιόδου πρόγραμμα, με το Πιάνο Κονσέρτο Νο 3 του Rachmaninoff, και το Πιάνο Κονσέρτο Νο 2 του Chopin σε δυο πιανα.

Ο πιανίστας Χρήστος Μακρόπουλος διαθέτει μια άρτια τεχνική κατάρτιση που και τα πιο δύσκολα πιανιστικά εφέ του απαιτητικού Πιάνο Κονσέρτο Νο 3 του Rachmaninoff φάνηκαν εύκολα για τις ικανότητες του. Όμως θα ήθελα να παρατηρήσω την επιθετικότητα της ερμηνείας του, που με ξένισε, και δεν χρειάζονταν για μια τόσο ρομαντική παρτιτούρα. Την τεχνική την κατέχει θα πρέπει να δώσει πιο μεγάλη έμφαση στην ερμηνεία. Επίσης εδώ μου έλειψε η ορχήστρα και τα υπέροχα χρώματα της ενορχήστρωσης του Rachmaninoff. Ο πιανίστας Χρήστος Μακρόπουλος μπορεί να αναμετρηθεί αντάξια με όλο το φάσμα του πιανιστικού ρεπερτορίου.

Ο πιανίστας Σπύρος Σουλαδάκης έχει πολύ ταλέντο και ευαισθησία στην ερμηνεία του πέρα από μια άρτια τεχνική. Το παίξιμο του σε συνεπαίρνει γιατί ξέρει να τραγουδά τις μελωδικές γραμμές. Το Πιάνο Κονσέρτο Νο2 του Chopin έχει πολλές ερμηνευτικές και τεχνικές απαιτήσεις που ο κύριος Σουλαδάκης απέδωσε με μεγάλη ηρεμία. Εδώ δεν μου έλειψε η ορχήστρα, και μπορώ να πω ότι το προτιμώ σε αυτή την εκδοχή με δυο πιάνα από την φτωχή ενορχήστρωση του Chopin.

Το ΩΔΕΙΟ ATHENAEUM είναι ένα από τα ομορφότερα διατηρητέα μνημεία του κέντρου της Αθήνας, αφιερωμένο στη μνήμη και τη δόξα της Μαρίας Κάλλας. Αξίζει μια βόλτα στην οδό Αδριανού 3, απέναντι από το σταθμό του Θησείου, να απολαύσει κανείς τις υπέροχες συναυλίες που πραγματοποιούνται στον εξαίσιο ανακαινισμένο χώρο του ATHENAEUM.

Για το πρόγραμμα των συναυλιών και πληροφορίες για το ίδρυμα μπορείτε να πληροφορηθείτε από το site του ATHENAEUM.

http://www.athenaeum.com.gr/

LOS ANGELES GREEK FILM FESTIVAL “GOES FOR THE GOLD” MAY 31st–JUNE 3rd, 2012

2012-02-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

As the culture it celebrates faces immense challenges, the Los Angles Greek Film Festival sprints toward its sixth year with an expanded team, new screening venue, reduced Gold Pass prices, and a celebration of the late, great, Greek filmmaker Theo Angelopoulos.
(February 16, 2012, Los Angeles, California)—In the spirit of the globally-celebrated sporting event born in Athens, Greece over two centuries ago, the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF) is going for its own gold medal with its sixth annual event Thursday, May 31^st, through Sunday, June 3^rd, 2012. LAGFF will take place at the Linwood Dunn Theater on the campus of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study in the heart of Hollywood, California. Produced by the nonprofit Eastern Mediterranean and Balkan Cultural Center (EMBCC) with the support of sponsors worldwide, the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival promotes awareness of Greek culture through the art of cinema.
Acknowledging the heartbreaking social and political challenges in her beloved Greece, LAGFF cofounder and Artistic Director Ersi Danou expressed, “The people of Greece are the first to experience an unprecedented crisis that is affecting not only their country but also Europe, the US, and the world. Yet we, at the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, insist on identifying crisis with opportunity for change. To us, ‘change’ means looking forward to a better future; it also means looking back in order to honor the great foundations and principles of an ancient culture. Only then can we truly expect a new homecoming.”
Filmmakers dreaming of their own Hollywood homecoming have until March 9^th to submit films for possible inclusion in the festival as fully explained at www.lagff.org. The 2012 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival will include ten feature film screenings paired with short films; a “Representation in Hollywood” industry panel with top talent and literary agents in Hollywood; an “Editing for Film Writers” workshop by screenwriter, editor, producer, director and University of Southern California Professor Michael Economou; and a retrospective seminar celebrating the work of the late, great Greek film director Theo Angelopoulos.
In an official statement which also acknowledged the recent death of esteemed film director Michael Cacoyannis, Danou expressed, “We are now compelled to remember how they captured the epoch of modern Greek history through their very own worldview. The stoic Angelopoulos saw a country and its people in the crux of political strife through the melancholy of contemplation while the vehement Cacoyannis sang odes to the passionate nature of his society. Both painted the Greek psyche, heritage and dilemma in close view, and both, in turn, defined modern Greek cinema. Their departure is a gesture of bequeathal. The torch is in the hands of the young, but the young must always remember.”
Empowering Greek and Greek-inspired filmmakers, the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival counts among its prestigious board Academy Award®-winning actress Olympia Dukakis, Academy Award®-nominated writer and actress Nia Vardalos, and Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Alexander Payne, whose film The Descendants is currently in contention for five Academy Awards®. LAGFF cofounder Angeliki Giannakopoulos expressed, “Filmmakers around the world dream of coming to Hollywood one day, and for many filmmakers of Greek heritage, this dream has come true. We are here to facilitate this journey for upcoming filmmakers, and to celebrate and honor Greek culture.”
A prestigious jury will select winners of the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival’s Orpheus Awards (named for the legendary Greek poet and “father of songs”) to be presented at a closing night gala party hosted by the Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles, Elisavet Fotiadou.
“As every year, I am looking forward to those wonderful days in the beginning of summer when we all take our seats in front of the big screen and we get transported to the Greece we love and care about,” expressed Consul General Fotiadou. “As our country is going through one of the most difficult times of its recent history, the new Greek films are expected to be even more intriguing and inspirational. The festival’s wonderful team is dedicated to this outcome, and we look forward to welcoming you to opening night on May 31^st.”
As a testament to its success on many levels, LAGFF was influential in bringing Hollywood attention to the critically acclaimed film Dogtooth, helping that film land as Greece’s official entry into the Best Foreign Film category—for which it was ultimately nominated during the 2011 Academy Awards® season. At the culmination of the 2010 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, Dogtooth director and co-producer Yorgos Lanthimos was presented with the Orpheus Award for Special Achievement in Film.
The invitation-only Consul General’s party has historically been limited to filmmakers in competition, festival sponsors and board members, select dignitaries and industry insiders. However, with the merger this year of the exclusive party into the Orpheus Awards to take place after the closing night film, all festival attendees are encouraged to “go for the gold” themselves by purchasing an all-access Gold Pass which is the only other way to attend this coveted event, as individual tickets will not be made available.
The 2012 LAGFF Gold Pass includes tickets and advance entrance to all films, panels and programs; the opening and closing night champagne receptions; a deluxe program book; free parking at the Linwood Dunn Theater; and, of course, the must-have ticket to the exclusive Orpheus Awards party. In the face of the global economic crisis hitting Greece with a vengeance, the cost of the 2012 LAGFF Gold Pass has been reduced by $100 (33%) to only $200, but must be purchased online in advance at this link. (http://www.itsmyseat.com/events/332862.html).
To “coach” LAGFF in its gold medal round, the founders have secured as its Executive Director, film festival veteran Craig Prater, who helmed the Palm Springs International Film Festival for nearly a decade, and has since championed film festivals worldwide.
“My expectations are very high this year,” said Prater, “and I am confident the founders, board members, staff and volunteers are up to the challenge of delivering the most outstanding edition of the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival ever. We are all honored to be a part of this invaluable endeavor.”
In addition to the burgeoning audience enjoying the LAGFF each year, the 2012 event will welcome official film groups from San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona and elsewhere, whose members will all receive Gold Passes as well as an exclusive orientation to the festival, up-close-and-personal interaction with filmmakers, and exciting side trips. LAGFF is also delighted to announce, to further strengthen the relationship between the Hollywood and Greek filmmaking communities, an American film group is being organized to attend the Athens International Film Festival, September 19^th through 30^th.
Evolving information about the 2012 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival is available at www.lagff.org. Exclusive Gold Passes are available online as described above. Anyone interested in being part of the special film groups should contact Craig Prater directly at (760) 831-7349 or via email at FestivalOFests@aol.com. Key sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2012 LAGFF. Contact Craig Prater for those details as well.
Friends and fans worldwide are encouraged to follow the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival at www.Facebook.com/lagff, www.Twitter.com/lagff and at www.youtube.com/LAGreekFilmFestival.

NOTE TO MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA
Media credentials for the 2012 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival are limited, especially for the Orpheus Awards Gala Party, so special consideration will be given to media outlets that provide the festival with significant advance coverage (although advance coverage of the festival does NOT guarantee access to the Orpheus Awards party). We will do everything we can do to accommodate all media requests. To receive a 2012 LAGFF Media Credentials Application, please send an email to Nicholas Snow at SnowbizNow@gmail.com.

ALL OF THE PHOTOS/IMAGES CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN HIGH RESOLUTION AT THE LINK BELOW. 1) Copy and paste the link into your browser; 2) Click on the photo/image you want; 3) Save the photo to your desk top for use in your reporting.

http://notesfromhollywood.com/photo/albums/los-angeles-greek-film-festival-in-the-news

PHOTO CAPTION:

Los Angeles Greek Film Festival Cofounders Ersi Danou and Angeliki Giannakopoulos with LAGFF Board Member Olympia Dukakis during a November 2011 reception for festival supporters hosted by Dean Metropoulos and his wife, newest LAGFF Advisory Board Member Marianne Metropoulos, at their Beverly Hills Home. Photo by Maria Martin.

PHOTO CAPTION:

As a testament to its success on many levels, the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival was influential in bringing Hollywood attention to the critically acclaimed film Dogtooth, helping that film land as Greece’s official entry into the Best Foreign Film category—for which it was ultimately nominated during the 2011 Academy Awards® season. At the culmination of the 2010 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, Dogtooth director Yorgos Lanthimos was presented with the Orpheus Award for Special Achievement in Film. (Left to Right)—George Serdaris (TV Producer, Boo Productions), Thimios Bakatakis (Cinematographer, Dogtooth), Iraklis Mavroeidis (Executive Producer, Dogtooth, and Head Executive Producer, Boo Productions), Elisavet Fotiadou (Consul General of Greece, Los Angeles), Yorgos Lanthimos (Director & Co-Producer, Dogtooth), Richard Lorber (CEO, Kino Lorber, Inc., distributor of Dogtooth), and Angelo Venetis (General Manager/Producer, Boo Productions). Photo by Maria Martin.

Los Angeles Greek Film Festival Official 2012 Poster

PHOTO CAPTION:

Academy Award®-winning actress and Los Angeles Greek Film Festival Board Member Olympia Dukakis with LAGFF Executive Director Craig Prater, during a November 2011 reception for festival supporters hosted by Dean Metropoulos and his wife, newest LAGFF Advisory Board Member Marianne Metropoulos, at their Beverly Hills Home. Photo by Maria Martin.

Η ΟΠΕΡΑ ΝΕΩΝ παρουσιάζει το Cosi fan tutte ... in black

2012-02-07T06:06:00.000-08:00

Ο Lorenzo Da Ponte βάζει τις σχέσεις των ανθρώπων, την πίστη, την αφοσίωση και την αγάπη στο μικροσκόπιο και φτιάχνει μια ξεκαρδιστική κομωδία από την οποία εμπνέεται ο W. A. Mozart και γράφει μια από της σημαντικότερες και δημοφιλέστερες όπερες στην ιστορία του Λυρικού Θεάτρου.

Όσα χρόνια και αν περάσουν... στο φως ή στο σκοτάδι.... Cosi fan tutte!
Η ΟΠΕΡΑ ΝΕΩΝ παρουσιάζει το Cosi fan tutte ... in black. Σε μια μαύρη σκηνή, με φωτισμούς black lights και με στοιχεία από το Μαύρο Θέατρο της Πράγας σε σκηνοθεσία του Παναγιώτη Ναρλή. Μια πρωτοποριακή παράσταση όπερας με Ελληνικούς υπέρτιτλους φτιαγμένη με πολύ χιούμορ!
Οι παραστάσεις θα γίνουν στο Θέατρο "ΑΡΓΩ" - "Αιμιλία Υψηλάντη", Ελευσινίων 15 Μεταξουργείο, στις 12, 19 και 24 Φεβρουαρίου 2012 και ώρα 21.00.

Εισιτήρια: 12 Ευρώ (γενική είσοδος), 10 Ευρώ (φοιτητικό, Κάτοχοι Κάρτας Ανεργίας ΟΑΕΔ, Πολυτέκνων, Ευρωπαϊκής Κάρτας Νέων, Κάτοχοι Κάρτας Πολιτισμού, σπουδαστές Ωδείων και ΑΜΕΑ).
Προπώληση εισιτηρίων και κρατήσεις θέσεων στα ταμεία του θεάτρου στο τηλέφωνο 210 5201684)

Θα χαρώ πολύ να σας δω όλους στις παραστάσεις, να περάσουμε καλά και να γελάσουμε με την ψυχή μας... κάτι που πραγματικά μας λείπει αυτή την περίοδο.
http://www.operanewn.gr/

Ο Χρήστος Μακρόπουλος και ο Σπύρος Σουλαδάκης στο ATHENAEUM

2012-02-06T07:55:00.000-08:00

Ο Χρήστος Μακρόπουλος και ο Σπύρος Σουλαδάκης μας ταξιδεύουν με Rachmaninoff και Chopin, στις 20 Φεβρουαρίου και ώρα 20:00, στην αίθουσα “La Divina” του ATHENAEUM στο Θησείο, Αδριανού 3.

Οι δύο πιανίστες θα ερμηνεύσουν το 3^ο και το 2^ο αντίστοιχα κοντσέρτο για πιάνο και ορχήστρα, με το μέρος της ορχήστρας να αντικαθίσταται από τη συνοδεία ενός δεύτερου πιάνου.

Είσοδος: 10€ και 5€ φοιτητικό.

MARIANNE METROPOULOS JOINS ADVISORY BOARD

2012-02-06T07:10:00.000-08:00

Marianne Metropooulos (with husband, Dean) joins Olympia Dukakis on LAGFF's Advisory Board. Photo by Maria Martin

Los Angeles Greek Film Festival is proud to announce that Marianne Metropoulos has joined its Advisory Board. "I am very honored to join such a prestigious advisory board and I look forward to a very successful 2012 film festival," says Marianne Metropoulos.

Marianne is a supporter of many charitable organizations, such as Hunger Free Vermont. In 1994, she established the foundation Project Healthy Start which provides hot breakfast and lunch for schools throughout the state which did not have facilities to provide this service to children in need. She expanded the program, which feeds 22,000 children daily, to include the summer months. For her commitment and dedication to children and families, the Vermont legislature honored her by passing a bill in her name designating one day a year as "Hunger Day."

She is also a supporter of Food on Foot, an LA based organization that feeds the homeless; Golden Opportunities (a Connecticut based senior citizens group for which she provided the initial funding); St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Hole in the Wall Gang Camps, founded by Paul Newman; and LAGFF, to name a few.

Prior to marriage, Marianne lived in Washington, D.C. where she worked for an Arab Embassy as Program Director for Cultural Affairs. While still at the Embassy she was offered a position in the Office of Protocol, Department of State. Before accepting that position, she had the good fortune to meet her husband, Dean, and left Washington to marry him in 1977. They have two sons, Evan, 31, and Daren, 28 who are the owners of Pabst Brewing Company.

Currently, Marianne is producing a feature film about a young Greek woman who becomes a freedom fighter after the massacre of her family at the hands of the Ottoman Turks during the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821. Gale Anne Hurd (The Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, Armageddon, The Incredible Hulk) is producing the project with Marianne, who wrote the novel that the script is based on.

Shekhar Kapur is signed to direct and Phedon Papamichael (a friend and fellow LAGFF Advisory Board member) will serve - schedule permitting - as Director of Photography.

Marianne divides her time between Beverly Hills and Greenwich, Connecticut.
http://lagreekfilmfestival.org/

Ενθουσίασε η όπερα Προμηθέας του Παναγιώτη Καρούσου στην Εταιρία Ελλήνων Λογοτεχνών

2012-02-04T05:58:00.003-08:00

Αθήνα 30 Ιανουαρίου 2012. Παρουσιάσθηκε με επιτυχία η λυρική τραγωδία Προμηθέας Δεσμώτης του μουσικοσυνθέτη Παναγιώτη Καρούσου στην αίθουσα εκδηλώσεων Μιχαήλα Αβέρωφ της Εταιρίας Ελλήνων Λογοτεχνών. Ο αθηναϊκός κόσμος του πνεύματος και των γραμμάτων τίμησε τον δημιουργό και τους καλλιτέχνες για την εξαίρετη παράσταση με τιμητικές διακρίσεις και επαίνους που εδόθησαν από τον πρόεδρο της Εταιρίας Ελλήνων Λογοτεχνών αξιότιμο κύριο Παύλο Ναθαναήλ.

Ο Ελληνοκαναδός μουσικοσυνθέτης βασίσθηκε για το λιμπρέτο της όπερας Προμηθέας Δεσμώτης στην ποιητική μετάφραση του Ιωάννη Γρυπάρη από την ομώνυμη Αρχαία Τραγωδία του Αισχύλου. Στον χαιρετισμό του ο πρόεδρος της ΕΕΛ Παύλος Ναθαναήλ αναφέρθηκε στον Ιωάννη Γρυπάρη όπου είχε διατελέσει πρόεδρος της ΕΕΛ και που άφησε ως διαθήκη το σπίτι του στην Καλλιθέα στην Εταιρία Ελλήνων Λογοτεχνών.

Το έργο του Παναγιώτη Καρούσου τραγουδήθηκε θαυμάσια από τους πρωταγωνιστές της Εθνικής Λυρικής Σκηνής που με το ταλέντο τους ανάδειξαν τις δραματικότατες αποχρώσεις του έργου.

Στον ρόλο του Προμηθέα ο εξαιρετικός βαρύτονος Γιώργος Ματθαιακάκης έδωσε μια δραματική ερμηνεία, και μουσική υπόσταση στην δύσκολη παρτιτούρα. Ως Ιώ η σοπράνο Αλεξάνδρα Ματθαιουδάκη, τραγούδησε την τραγική ηρωίδα με πάθος κάνοντας τον ρόλο δικό της.

Η μεσόφωνος Ζωή Απειρανθίτου ρόλο της Θεάς Αθηνάς ήταν πολεμική, ως Βία σκληρή και ως Αμφιτρίτη αρχοντική δίνοντας την σωστή υπόσταση φωνητικά και σκηνικά στις τρεις εκ διαμέτρου αντίθετες ηρωίδες. Ο βαθύφωνος Βασίλειος Ασημακόπουλος ερμήνευσε τον ρόλο του Ωκεανού με άρτια τεχνική και εμβέλεια στις δύσκολες κολορατούρες στο φινάλε του ντουέτου με τον Προμηθέα.

Τους ερμηνευτές συνόδευσαν καταπληκτικά ο βιρτουόζος βιολονίστας Ανδρέας Χανιώτης, και ο γνωστός πιανίστας αρχιμουσικός Σπύρος Σουλαδάκης.

Την παράσταση προλόγισε ο ποιητής, φιλόλογος και ερευνητής του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών Τάσος Μακράτος ο οποίος είχε και τον συντονισμό της συναυλίας.

Η αίθουσα ήταν πλήρως γεμάτη από τον κόσμο του πνεύματος και των γραμμάτων οι οποίοι εκτίμησαν το έργο και καταχειροκρότησε παρατεταμένα όλους τους συντελεστές.

Μεταξύ άλλων παραβρέθηκαν η ηθοποιός Τζένη Καλλέργη, σύζυγος του προσφάτως αποθανόντος ηθοποιού Λυκούργου Καλλέργη, ο λογοτέχνης και ηθοποιός Αργύρης Ντούσιας, ο πρόεδρος της Πανελλήνιας Ένωσης Λογοτεχνών Νίκος Ταβουλάρης, ο καθηγητής Εμμανουήλ Μακρογιαννάκης τέως Κοσμήτορας της Φιλοσοφικής του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών, και ο σκηνοθέτης Πάνος Αγγελόπουλος.

Στο τέλος της παράστασης προσφέρθηκε δεξίωση για τους καλλιτέχνες και τους καλεσμένους με εκλεκτά κρασιά. Ως δώρο προσφέρθηκε σε όλους τους καλλιτέχνες και η ανθολογία της Εταιρίας Ελλήνων Λογοτεχνών

Ντίνα Κορφοξυλιώτη – Φουρφουρή: η σπουδαία ζωγράφος της Πάτρας

2012-02-02T14:16:00.000-08:00

Ντίνα Κορφοξυλιώτη – Φουρφουρή

Συνάντησα στο μεγάλο της ατελιέ που είναι στο κέντρο της Πάτρας την ζωγράφο Ντίνα Κορφοξυλιώτη – Φουρφουρή και εντυπωσιάσθηκα από τα ωραία της έργα. Με ξενάγησε στο ατελιέ της με τον σύζυγο της Κώστα Φουρφουρή, Α Μηχανικό Εμπορικού Ναυτικού και τον γιο της Γιώργο που είναι φοιτητής του Πολυτεχνείου Πατρών.

Σχεδόν όλα ελαιογραφίες σε διάφορα μεγέθη με θέματα που παραπέμπουν στην αρχαία Ελλάδα, αλλά και πολλά ταμπλό με λουλούδια, φρούτα, θαλασσογραφίες με ιστιοφόρα, προσωπογραφίες και ακουαρέλες. Τα χρώματα της είναι έντονα και ζωηρά και εκπέμπουν αισιοδοξία.

Φαίνεται ότι αγαπά την φύση και το φως. Ηλιοβασιλέματα και τοπία ηλιόλουστα δεσπόζουν. Έχει επισκεφθεί και μελετήσει την αναγεννησιακή ζωγραφική και τον ιμπρεσιονισμό σε πολλά μουσεία της Ευρώπης της Αυστραλίας και της Αμερικής.

Έχει τελειώσει με υποτροφία την Ανωτάτη Σχολή Καλλών Τεχνών της Αθήνας.

Έχει λάβει μέρος σε περισσότερες από 28 εκθέσεις ζωγραφικής, μεταξύ άλλων στον Παρνασσό, στο Ζάππειο Μέγαρο Αθηνών, και το Πνευματικό Κέντρο Δήμου Αθηναίων.

H Ντίνα Κορφοξυλιώτη – Φουρφουρή
με τον Παναγιώτη Καρούσο

Έχει κάνει 11 ατομικές εκθέσεις, τις 8 στην Ελλάδα, μια στην Μελβούρνη Αυστραλίας, και δυο στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες της Αμερικής, στην Ατλάντα και την Νέα Υόρκη.

Έργα της βρίσκονται σε Δημόσιες και ιδιωτικές συλλογές στην Ελλάδα και το εξωτερικό. Έργα της έχουν το Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών, Υπουργείο Δημόσιας Τάξης, και Παιδείας και Θρησκευμάτων. Επίσης θαλασσογραφίες της έχουν πολλά εφοπλιστικά γραφεία του Πειραιά και του Λονδίνου. Επίσης έργα της έχουν η Επισκοπή Πατρών, και η Εθνική Πινακοθήκη του Πατριαρχείου Ιεροσολύμων.

Έχει τιμηθεί από την Ναυτική Διοίκηση Ιονίου, του Στρατού ΚΕΤΧ Πατρών, και από τον Αρχηγό του Γενικού Επιτελείου Ναυτικού Αθηνών.

Ο Παναγιώτης Καρούσος, η Ντίνα Κορφοξυλιώτη – Φουρφουρή
και ο σύζυγος της Κώστας Φουρφουρής

Tidying Greek Orthodox Education

2012-01-25T12:12:00.000-08:00

ENCYCLICAL FOR GREEK LETTERS

By Metropolitan Sotirios

Greece and Hellenism worldwide need a proper tidying and to be put in order. A tidy house has a pleasant atmosphere. In such a house you can live a life of happiness and success.

Recently,

Greece

is anything but being tidy and in order. Let those who live in

Greece

talk about

Greece

themselves. We should look and make sure that our house here in

Canada

where we live and work is in order.

Our house in

Canada

is our Church, our Community. Let us ask ourselves: is our home tidy and operating as it should? We will be able to certify this if we look at the state of Greek Orthodox Education.

All our communities have Greek Orthodox schools. But how well do they operate and how successful are they?

The aim of Greek Orthodox Education is key and essential for the perpetuation and progress of our people, but to also enter and inherit the Heavenly Kingdom of God. Greek Orthodox Education helps put our house in order and it enriches the child's soul.
Some parents expect their children to be Greek and Orthodox, without taking care to teach their children the Greek language, the Orthodox faith, and Hellenic Christian ideals. When they see their children abandon these family Greek traditions and, their Greek Orthodox faith somewhere down the road, these same parents will get indignant, angry, and start to yell and insult those they blame. They will pin the blame on everyone else, except themselves. All others are to blame: society, Priests, teachers, community leaders – everyone, except than themselves.

How will our children remain Greek Orthodox, if they are not taught Greek learning and Christian Orthodoxy? And who is primarily responsible for this?

The Apostle Paul in Ephesus, asked twelve Christians if they had received the Holy Spirit. And they replied: “what is this? Nobody ever taught us about a Holy Spirit.”
We ask our children if they are Greek Orthodox, and they respond either with words or even with silence: “What is this? Who taught us? Whose responsibility is this?”

The responsibility lies first and foremost with the parents of these children. Then, the Clergy and the Church, as well as the Metropolitan and the Community leaders. The Metropolitan, Clergy, the Church, and our communities all have the responsibility to have well-organized schools. Parents have the responsibility to take their children to schools, but they themselves must also speak the Greek language in the home, and to actively live the Orthodox faith.

I stated at the beginning that Greek Orthodox Education is essential for the perpetuation of our people, our culture and for the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven. Think for a moment. At the final judgement, Christ will address your child and say: “Why, my child, do you not believe in Me?” The child will reply: “I do not know You. Nobody ever told me about you.” Christ will then address the parents, the community leaders, the Clergy, and the Metropolitan, and ask: “Where were you? Why did you not teach your child to believe in me and in God?” What will you then answer?

It seems to me that we are all guilty when it comes to the matter of Greek Orthodox Education. We do not do as much as we should. We must repent. That is to say, we much change our manner of living and operating. We must do more for the advancement and success of Greek Orthodox education. This is truly a matter of life and death for the perpetuation of our people and for the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven.
We will have no excuse in History and before Christ Himself, if we do not do more for the advancement of Greek Orthodox Education than we are already doing. Proper and correct Greek Orthodox Education is the best way of tidying up and keeping our house in order.

With fatherly love and best wishes,

Metropolitan Sotirios of Toronto

Νοικοκύρεμα Ελληνορθόδοξης Παιδείας

2012-01-25T12:08:00.000-08:00

ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΩΝ ΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΩΝ

Μητροπολίτη Σωτηρίου

Η Ελλάδα και ο απανταχού Ελληνισμός χρειάζονται νοικοκύρεμα. Ένα νοικοκυρεμένο σπίτι έχει την πιο ευχάριστη ατμόσφαιρα. Σε τέτοιο σπίτι ζεις την ευτυχία και την επιτυχία.

Η Ελλάδα, τελευταία, κάθε άλλο παρά νοικοκυρεμένη είναι. Ας μιλήσουν όμως για την Ελλάδα αυτοί που ζουν στην Ελλάδα. Εμείς να κοιτάξουμε και να φροντίσουμε το σπίτι μας, εδώ που ο καθένας ζει.

Το σπίτι μας στον Καναδά είναι η Εκκλησία, η κοινότητα. Είναι αυτό το σπίτι μας νοικοκυρεμένο; Θα το διαπιστώσουμε αν ρίξουμε μια ματιά στην Ελληνορθόδοξη Παιδεία.

Όλες οι κοινότητές μας έχουν Ελληνορθόδοξα σχολεία. Πόσο όμως νοικοκυρεμένα και επιτυχημένα είναι αυτά;

Το έργο της Ελληνορθόδοξης Παιδείας είναι βασικό και ουσιαστικό, για την διαιώνιση και πρόοδο της φυλής μας, αλλά και για την κατάκτηση της Ουράνιας Βασιλείας. Η Ελληνορθόδοξη Παιδεία νοικοκυρεύει το σπίτι, την ψυχή του παιδιού.

Μερικοί γονείς περιμένουν τα παιδιά τους να είναι Έλληνες και ορθόδοξοι, χωρίς όμως να φροντίζουν να τα διδάσκουν την ελληνική γλώσσα, την ορθόδοξη πίστη, τα ελληνοχριστιανικά ιδεώδη. Όταν βλέπουν τα παιδιά τους να εγκαταλείπουν την οικογενειακή παράδοση, την ελληνορθόδοξη παράδοση, αγανακτούν, θυμώνουν, υβρίζουν. Τα βάζουν με όλους και με όλα. Όλοι οι άλλοι φταίνε. Η κοινωνία, οι παπάδες, οι δάσκαλοι, οι κοινοτάρχες, εκτός από τους ίδιους.

Πώς τα παιδιά μας θα μείνουν Ελληνορθόδοξα αν δεν διδαχθούν την ελληνοπρέπεια και την ορθοδοξία; Και ποιοι είναι οι κυρίως υπεύθυνοι γι’αυτό;

Ο Απόστολος Παύλος στην Έφεσσο, ρώτησε δώδεκα χριστιανούς εάν έλαβαν Άγιο Πνεύμα. Κι εκείνοι του απήντησαν. Τι είναι αυτό; Κανείς δεν μας δίδαξε περί Αγίου Πνεύματος.

Ρωτάμε τα παιδιά μας αν είναι Ελληνορθόδοξα κι εκείνα με λόγια ή και με σιωπή απαντούν. Τι είναι αυτό; Ποιος μας το δίδαξε; Ποιος φέρνει την ευθύνη;

Την ευθύνη την έχουν κυρίως και πρωτίστως οι γονείς. Έπειτα οι ιερείς και η Εκκλησία, ο Μητροπολίτης και οι κοινοτάρχες. Ο Μητροπολίτης, οι ιερείς, η Εκκλησία, οι κοινότητές μας έχουν την ευθύνη να έχουν καλά οργανωμένα σχολεία. Οι γονείς έχουν την ευθύνη να πηγαίνουν τα παιδιά τους στα σχολεία, αλλά και οι ίδιοι να μιλούν μέσα στο σπίτι την ελληνική γλώσσα και να ζουν τη ορθόδοξη πίστη.

Είπα στην αρχή, ότι η Ελληνορθόδοξη Παιδεία είναι ουσιαστικής σημασίας για την διαιώνιση της φυλής και την κατάκτηση της Ουράνιας Βασιλείας. Σκεφθείτε για μια στιγμή. Στην δικαία κρίση ο Χριστός απευθύνεται στο παιδί σας και λέει. Γιατί παιδί μου δεν πιστεύεις σε μένα; Το παιδί απαντά. Δεν σε ξέρω. Κανείς δε μου μίλησε για σένα. Ο Χριστός απευθύνεται στους γονείς, στους κοινοτάρχες, στους παπάδες, στους Δεσποτάδες και λέει. Που ήσασταν εσείς; Γιατί δε διδάξατε στο παιδί αυτό για μένα, για τον Θεό; Τι θα απαντήσουμε;

Μού φαίνεται, ότι όλοι μας είμαστε ένοχοι στο ζήτημα της Ελληνορθόδοξης Παιδείας. Δεν κάνουμε όσα πρέπει να κάνουμε. Πρέπει να μετανοήσουμε. Δηλαδή να αλλάξουμε τρόπο ζωής. Να κάνουμε περισσότερα για την Ελληνορθόδοξη Παιδεία. Η Ελληνορθόδοξη Παιδεία είναι ζήτημα ζωής και θανάτου για την διαιώνιση της φυλής μας και για την κατάκτηση της Βασιλείας των Ουρανών.

Θα είμαστε αναπολόγητοι στην Ιστορία και στον ίδιο τον Χριστό, εάν δεν κάνουμε για την Ελληνορθόδοξη Παιδεία περισσσότερο απ’ ό,τι κάνουμε. Η σωστή Ελληνορθόδοξη Παιδεία είναι το καλύτερο νοικοκύρεμα του σπιτιού μας.

Με πατρική αγάπη και θερμές ευχές

Ο ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ

Ο ΤΟΡΟΝΤΟ ΣΩΤΗΡΙΟΣ

Los Angeles Greek Film Festival January 2012 News - Awards & More!

2012-01-20T02:46:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

GOLDEN GLOBE WIN!

Congratulations to LAGFF Board members Alexander Payne, Jim Gianopulos and Phedon Papamichael! Payne's Ad Hominem Enterprises and Gianopulos' Fox Searchlight Pictures won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture (Drama) for THE DESCENDANTS at the January 15th Golden Globes ceremony. The film also won Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) for George Clooney. Phedon Papamichael served as Director of Photography.

Alexander Payne on the red carpet

Michael Hazanavicius' black and white silent film THE ARTIST got the Golden Globe for Best Comedy, Best Actor for Jean Dujardin and Best Musical Score for composer Ludovic Bource. Hazanavicius is French of Greek descent.

Filmmaker Michael Hazanavicius (left) won for his film, THE ARTIST starring Jean Dujardin

Click here for more information and to see photos.
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners!

GREEK FILMS IN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS
Greek filmmakers continue to successfully reach out to the international film festival community.

Babis Makrides' feature debut L is screening at Sundance in competition, next week. For more information click here.

Spiros Stathoulopoulos' new film METEORA, about the vehement forbidden love affair will screen in competition at the Berlin Film Festival in February. Tamila Koulieva and Theo Alexander star in the lead roles. Stathoulopoulos' daring PVC-1 screened at LAGFF in 2008. For more information please click here.

Angelos Abatzoglou's MUSTAFA'S SWEET DREAMS will also screen at the Berlin Film Festival, in the parallel program Generation 14+. For more information click here.

Unfair World

Filippos Tsitos' UNFAIR WORLD and George Lanthimos' ALPS

ALPS

will screen a the Spectrum section of the Rotterdam International Film Festival. Tsitos' PLATO'S ACADEMY screened at LAGFF in 2010 and won the Orpheus for Beast Feature.
Lanthimos' DOGTOOTH screened at LAGFF in 2010 and won an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film the following January.
For more information click here.

A GREEN STORY
Van Vlahakis left Greece five decades ago with 22 dollars in his pocket. Eftehios - as is his Greek name - not only managed to live the American dream for himself, but also created Earth Friendly Products, a US giant for environmentally friendly cleaning products, transforming his life the lives of the ones around him. Nika Agiasvhili writes, directs and co-produces A GREEN STORY, a feature production based on Vlahakis' story. The cast includes Ed O'Ross (check this one), Shannon Elizabeth, Annabella Sciorra, Malcolm McDowell, Billy Zane, George Finn, Louis Mandylor, Alexis Georgoulis, Alessandra Toressani, Debbie Matenopoulos, Thaao Phenghlis, Roger Bart, Anthony Skordi, Mihalis Giannatosand Julianna Guill. To visit the Facebook fan page, click here.

WARLORDS: BROTHERHOOD - NOW AVAILABLE
This graphic novel, WARLORDS: BROTHERHOOD by Paris Kasidokostas Latsisand Max Works is available for download on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iBooks and on your computer with iTunes. (Books must be read on an iOS device.)

Crowbar is the most feared member of the Brotherhood by every gang in the city... including his own. After a brutal gang war reveals a traitor with in the Brotherhood's ranks, Crowbar is tasked with finding out who it is. But Crowbar has secrets of his own. Secrets his mission threatens to expose. Secrets that could lead to his downfall.

To read more, please click here.

REMEMBERING LOUKIA RIKAKI
Innovative filmmaker, author, and Director of Health Film Festival and Ecofilms, Loukia Rikaki died on December 28 after battling with cancer at age 50. Rikaki's film HOLD ME screened at LAGFF in 2009. Her loss saddens us deeply.

2012 SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Orpheus Award statuette designed by
Miltos Papastergiou.

LAGFF accepts films by Greek filmmakers from Greece, Cyprus and the world; films about Greece or with a prevalent Greek theme; and films with an important contributor of Greek descent (writer, producer, lead actor). To submit your film, please

click here.

«Χώμα και Ουρανός στη Γη των Απολαύσεων» της Ελευθερίας Κουντούρη από τις Εκδόσεις ΒΟΓΙΑΤΖΗ

2012-01-14T05:03:00.000-08:00

Εκδόθηκε το νέο βιβλίο της Ελευθερίας Κουντούρη «Χώμα και Ουρανός στη Γη των Απολαύσεων» από τις Εκδόσεις ΒΟΓΙΑΤΖΗ. Είναι ένα βιβλίο ευκολοδιάβαστο σε σχέση με τα προηγούμενα βιβλία της ως προς την λογοτεχνική γραφή με μεγάλο ενδιαφέρον. Η κυρία Κουντουρη δίνει μια προσεκτική ματιά στην κοινωνία όπως έχει διαμορφωθεί σήμερα με ένα πνεύμα αντίστασης στις μεγάλες αλλαγές που συμβαίνουν βίαια γύρω μας. Στις ανησυχίες της για το αύριο αντιπαρέρχονται οι μνήμες από τις δύσκολες κοινωνικές καταστάσεις του παρελθόντος. Είναι ένα βιβλίο που αξίζει να διαβαστεί γιατί δημιουργεί νέα ανθρωπιστικά ερωτήματα στον αναγνώστη.

Χώμα κι’ Ουρανός

στη Γη των Απολαύσεων

Η Κράνα –σε απροσδιόριστη χρονολογία– εκφράζει με τη συγγραφή των αναμνήσεων της, σκέψεις αμφισβήτησης κι άρνησης, έντονα συναισθήματα φόβου και θλίψης για την άλογη φιλοδοξία κι απληστία του ανθρώπινου γένους.

Ο Μεγάλος Πόλεμος, όπως αποκαλεί την Παγκόσμια σύρραξη, αναγκάζει αυτήν και τον σύντροφό της, Αμφικτύωνα, να καταφύγουν σε υπόγεια κοινότητα, για να γλιτώσουν από τη ραδιενέργεια και τη βιολογική μόλυνση της ατμόσφαιρας. ΄Εκπληκτοι στην έξοδό τους από τα καταφύγια –μετά τη μακροχρόνια περίοδο καραντίνας– αντιμετωπίζουν κι αυτοί την προσωπική τους διαγραφή.

Δοκιμάζουν την ανελέητη καταδίωξη μέσα σ’ ένα κόσμο που σπαράζεται από αιματηρές συγκρούσεις ανάμεσα στις κυρίαρχες δυνάμεις των Κυβερνητικών –ως βασικών υπευθύνων για την καταστροφή και τον όλεθρο– και στις μαχητικές Ομάδες Αντίστασης. Ενταγμένοι κι αυτοί στον αγώνα των Διαγραμμένων, ο καθένας από το μετερίζι του, διεκδικούν το δικαίωμα του «Υπάρχω». Πολεμούν άφοβα για να συντρίψουν τους δυνάστες τους και για να αποτρέψουν τη μετάλλαξή τους σε ψυχρά κι άβουλα όργανα της εξουσίας, όμοια με τα μηχανικά κατασκευάσματα καταστολής κι εξόντωσης κάθε ελεύθερης φωνής Δικαίου, Ισότητας, Ειρήνης κι Αγάπης.

Ελευθερία Κουντούρη «Χώμα και Ουρανός στη Γη των Απολαύσεων»

Η ολοκλήρωση της τριλογίας με τον γενικό τίτλο «Επιστροφή στον Παράδεισο», με οδήγησε στη εύλογη ανάγκη να πισωγυρίσω κι ακολουθώντας πάλι τα χνάρια της επιστροφής ν’ απαντήσω στις απορίες που τυχόν θα κεντρίσουν κάθε σκεπτόμενο αναγνώστη.

Οι Εποχές της Ιδανικής Αυταπάτης, το πρώτο βιβλίο, που ως υπότιτλο έχει «Στοχαστικά Κείμενα, Τέσσερις Εποχές και Δώδεκα Επιστολές», ξεδιπλώνει στον εσωτερικό του διάλογο τις ψυχικές και πνευματικές πτυχές του άλλου εαυτού, που εδώ παρουσιάζεται ως ανώνυμο ζευγάρι. Μέσα από τα γράμματα τής συμβολικής γυναίκας διαφαίνεται η προσπάθειά της να στοχαστεί την όλη της διαδρομή σε αυτόν το σύμπαν, ζητώντας επίμονα να γυρίσει κοντά της το άλλο μισό της υπαρξιακής της οντότητας που μοιράστηκε αυτήν την πορεία, ο συμβολικός άντρας. Τόν αναζητά μέσα σ’ εικαστικές σκηνογραφικές παραστάσεις, σε απατηλούς τόπους, σε λαβυρίνθους κι αδιέξοδα, που χάθηκε φεύγοντας μακριά της.

Η απομάκρυνση στο δεύτερο βιβλίο, Το Τέλος των Ημερών, προκαλείται με διαφορετικό τρόπο. Ο χωρισμός του ζευγαριού, παραλλαγμένος ο ελληνικός μύθος του κατακλυσμού, συντελείται από μία δύναμη εξωτερική, για να δώσει την ευκαιρία στη συμβολική γυναίκα –καθώς πάλι γυρεύει το συμβολικό της ταίρι, αυτήν τη φορά τον Δευκαλίωνα, μέσα σε περασμένες, παρούσες και μελλοντικές πόλεις– να προβληματιστεί πάνω στις αφηγηματικές σκιαγραφήσεις τεσσάρων μορφών, που αντιπροσωπεύουν τον ρομαντισμό, την εξουσία, τον έρωτα και την εκμετάλλευση, για τον χαρακτήρα και τις πράξεις του αγαπημένου της. Οι μαρτυρίες τους είναι τελείως αταίριαστες μεταξύ τους, ζωγραφίζοντας ο καθένας από τις προσωπικές τους εντυπώσεις ένα τελείως αλλιώτικο πορτραίτο. Κατ’ αυτόν τον τρόπο αναδεικνύεται η πολλαπλότητα τής υποκειμενικής αλήθειας και η σημασία που θετικά ή αρνητικά βαραίνει την απόδοση μιας ορθής αντίληψης αυτού του κόσμου στη δύσκολη απόφαση μιας Δίκαιας κρίσης.

Αυτή ακριβώς η πειραματική άποψη της αμφισβητούμενης αλήθειας, γίνεται ο ιστός της αράχνης για να δοκιμαστεί πάλι το διαχρονικό ζευγάρι στο τρίτο βιβλίο, Χώμα κι’ Ουρανός στη Γη των Απολαύσεων –με διαφορετικά ονόματα και σε μία εποχή που μοιάζει μελλοντική– μπερδεμένο μέσα στη δίνη ενός ολοκαυτώματος. Ο καινούριος χωρισμός τους γίνεται πιο ξεκάθαρος και η αντίθεση τίτλου και περιεχομένου επισημαίνει τις χαμένες ανθρώπινες προσδοκίες. Στη ροή της ιστορίας τονίζονται συνεχώς, μέσα από τραγικά γεγονότα, τα αποτελέσματα διαχείρισης και υλοποίησης των ανθρώπινων επιθυμιών, καταδικάζοντας συγχρόνως τις εγωιστικές, φιλόδοξες κι αρπακτικές διαθέσεις κι ελπίζοντας σε μία ζωή δημιουργική –απαλλαγμένη από σκοτάδια και σκιές– μέσα στις φωτεινές ημέρες της συλλογικής μας ευτυχίας.

Ελευθερία Κουντούρη

Η Ελευθερία Κουντούρη είναι Ελληνίδα ποιήτρια, λογοτέχνις, δημοσιογράφος και ζωγράφος. Πορτρέτα, αφιερώματα, δοκίμια και κριτικά σημειώματά της έχουν δημοσιευτεί από το 1980 έως σήμερα σε εφημερίδες, περιοδικά, εγκυκλοπαίδειες, και ανθολογίες στην Ελλάδα και στο εξωτερικό για το ποιητικό και πεζογραφικό έργο της Ελευθερίας Κουντούρη που γεννήθηκε το 1952 στην Αθήνα, όπου μόνιμα ζει και εργάζεται. Η Ελευθερία Κουντούρη σπούδασε γαλλική φιλολογία και ζωγραφική. Ασχολείται με τη μετάφραση και τη δημοσιογραφία.

Η ποίησή της έχει μεταφραστεί στην Αγγλική, Ρωσική, Ιταλική, Πολωνική, Ισπανική και Γαλλική γλώσσα.

Έχει παρουσιαστεί στο ελληνικό ραδιόφωνο και στην τηλεόραση με συνεντεύξεις και αποσπάσματα του λογοτεχνικού της έργου. Το 2002 το Πανεπιστήμιο της Ινδιανάπολης επέλεξε τη διάλεξή της με τίτλο Η Φιλοσοφία της Ποίησης, για ν' ακουστεί στην επετειακή της εκδήλωση που έγινε στη Στοά του Βιβλίου.

http://www.ekdoseis-vogiatzi.gr/

ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΣΗ ΣΤΟΝ ΙΑΝΟ ΤΟΥ ΣΥΛΛΕΚΤΙΚΟΥ ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΟY ΤΕΧΝΗΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΩΣΤΑ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΑΤΟΥ «ΠΡΟΣΩΠΑ ΚΑΙ ΣΥΜΒΟΛΑ» - « PORTRAITS AND SYMBOLS» ART-EST, 2012

2012-01-14T04:32:00.000-08:00

Την Παρασκευή 20 Ιανουαρίου 2012, ώρα 12.30, θα γίνει στον Πολυχώρο- Βιβλιοπωλείο ΙΑΝΟS, Σταδίου 24, η παρουσίαση του συλλεκτικού Ημερολογίου του Κώστα Ευαγγελάτου, με τίτλο:
« Πρόσωπα και σύμβολα »-« Portraits and symbols » ART EST.
Το εικαστικό αυτό ημερολόγιο εκδόθηκε με επιμέλεια-χορηγία από την ARTLINE AND GENNESIS της θεσσαλονίκης και περιλαμβάνει ζωγραφικές συνθέσεις του εικαστικού δημιουργού στις οποίες πρωταγωνιστούν νεανικές ρεαλιστικές και φανταστικές προσωπογραφίες, οι οποίες εγγράφονται ή αναδύονται οπτικά από ένα κόσμο συμβόλων και εννοιών. Η ιδιότυπη γραφή ονομάτων, σημείων, σωματογραφικών, ερωτικών και αρχαικών σχημάτων, στοιχείων, που χρόνια αναφαίνονται και χαρακτηρίζουν συνολικά τη δουλειά του, αναδεικνύουν την εσωτερική προσωπικότητα των εικονιζομένων μορφών.
Το εξώφυλλο κοσμεί μία πρόσφατη σύνθεση του με εφηβικό προφίλ και κιονόκρανο, που εκτέθηκε το 2011 στη Σύγχρονη Πινακοθήκη Villa ΡΟΔΟΠΗ στο Αργοστόλι, ενώ το οπισθόφυλλο το έργο " Μούσα-Ανάμνηση", που φιλοτέχνησε στο Orraca Studio του Μανχάταν κατά τη διάρκεια των σπουδών του στη Νέα Υόρκη το 1984 και εκτέθηκε στη gallery του Παν/μ/ιου Fordham at Lincoln Center το 1985.
Είναι η έκτη χρονιά φέτος που κυκλοφορεί το εικαστικό Ημερολόγιο του Κώστα Ευαγγελάτου, με το ίδιο σχήμα και την αισθητική ποιοτική στάθμη που το έχει καταξιώσει στους φιλότεχνους.

Εκδοση: Artline and Gennesis,S.A

Συμμετέχει ο πιανίστας Μάριος Καζάς.

Celine Dion in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace

2011-12-31T09:54:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2011
SHOWTIME: 7:30PM
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
After five consecutive years of sold-out shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Celine Dion embarked on a year-long worldwide tour in 2008-2009, visiting five continents, 25 countries and playing to more than 3 million fans. Following the conclusion of the tour, and after taking a year off to enjoy some valuable family time, Celine is preparing for her triumphant return to Caesars Palace Las Vegas in 2011. Having sold more than 200 million albums around the world, Celine Dion is one of the most immediately recognized, widely respected and successful performers in pop music history. During her spectacular career Celine has been honored with over 1000 awards.

She is a five-time Grammy Award winner, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Album for Falling Into You (1996); and Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "My Heart Will Go On" (1998). Her recordings have won two Academy Awards®: Best Original Song in 1992 for the title song of Beauty and the Beast (with Peabo Bryson), and Best Original Song in 1998 for "My Heart Will Go On" (From Titanic). She has earned seven American Music Awards, 20 Juno Awards (Canada) and an astonishing 40 Felix Awards (Quebec).

In 2004, Celine received the Diamond award at the World Music Awards recognizing her status as the best-selling female artist of all time. In 2007 she was honored with the Legend Award at World Music Awards in recognition of her global success and outstanding contribution to the music industry.

Visit www.celineinvegas.com/ for additional information.

Nativity Concert by Pan-Orthodox Choir of Buffalo at Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church

2011-12-31T08:30:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, December 11, 2011 the Pan-Orthodox Choir of Niagara Frontier will perform their annual Nativity Concert at Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, 45 Ideal Street in Buffalo, NY at 7:00PM. The concert is free and is opened to anyone.
December 06, 2011 — Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Buffalo NY - - On Sunday, December 11, 2011 the Pan-Orthodox Choir of Niagara Frontier will perform their annual Nativity Concert at Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, 45 Ideal Street in Buffalo, NY at 7:00PM. The concert will feature the Masterpieces of Orthodox Choral Music. Following the concert every one is invited to join the choir members for a Christmas Carols “sing-along” and the time of fellowship with coffee, tea and delicious home-baked treats in the parish hall of Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church.The Pan-Orthodox Choir is comprised of the members of several Orthodox Christian Churches located in Buffalo area and is directed by Fr. Rastko Trbuhovich of St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church.The concert is sponsored by the Council of Orthodox Christian Churches of the Niagara Frontier. The Orthodox Christian Churches in Buffalo area take turns to host this Christmas concert. "It has been a while since we hosted this concert, so shortly after coming to this parish I ask the council if they would consider coming with the concert to us this year. I am thrilled that the council accepted our invitation. Our Church has amazing acoustics, and I am sure this is going to be a wonderful event! " - said Fr. Volodymyr Zablotskyy, the new priest at Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church.The clergy and council members suggested that a special collection will take place during the concert to help Saints Peter and Paul to recover the great financial loss suffered from recent burglary. "The unfortunate events in the middle of November when about 100 square feet of copper was stolen from the roof of our church in addition to Gospel Book were extensively covered by the local TV stations. We hope that the local media will take interest in this more joyous event." - said Father Zablotskyy.The stolen Gospel Book was later returned to Saints Peter and Paul, which Father Zablotskyy views as the beginning of the good things to come for this struggling parish.Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church has also created a Facebook Event Page dedicated to the concert with hope to spread the word to the public and to help them to adequately prepare for the number of guests.

In memory of 911, The World Trade Center Victims.

2011-12-31T08:23:00.000-08:00

On September 11, 2001 Danny Whitfield was painting a rendition of a 2002 Corvette. At 10:41am he was informed of the devastating news about the world trade center. It was indeed a sad day in American history.
December 30, 2011 — Danny decided to dedicate the corvette print to the victims of 9-11 and the spirit of God Bless America. He place an inscription on the low right-hand margin. "Only the Strong Survive" In memory of the WTC Victims Copyright (9/11/01). The"Only the Strong Survive" print is Danny's way uplifting our fallen heroes. Your can order prints here: http://www.dannywhitfield.com/wtc.htmlThe September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th were a series of four coordinated suicide attacks upon the United States in New York City and the Washington, D.C. areas on September 11, 2001. On that Tuesday morning, 19 terrorists from the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda hijacked four passenger jets. The hijackers intentionally crashed two planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City; both towers collapsed within two hours. Hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth jet, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to take control before it could reach the hijacker's intended target in Washington, D.C. Nearly 3,000 died in the attacks.Suspicion quickly fell on al-Qaeda, and in 2004, the group's leader Osama bin Laden, who had initially denied involvement, claimed responsibility for the attacks.[1] Al-Qaeda and bin Laden cited U.S. support of Israel, the presence of U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, and sanctions against Iraq as motives for the attacks. The United States responded to the attacks by launching the War on Terror and invading Afghanistan to depose the Taliban, which had harbored al-Qaeda. Many countries strengthened their anti-terrorism legislation and expanded law enforcement powers. In May 2011, after years at large, bin Laden was found and killed.The destruction of the twin towers caused serious damage to the economy of Lower Manhattan and had a significant impact on global markets. Cleanup of the World Trade Center site was completed in May 2002, and the Pentagon was repaired within a year. Numerous memorials were constructed, including the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York, the Pentagon Memorial, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania. Adjacent to the National Memorial, the 1,776 feet (541 m) One World Trade Center is expected to be completed in 2013.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5wc85C9Jxs

New Year’s Eve & First Day Concerts

2011-12-31T08:14:00.000-08:00

The Baroque triple harp at
Harvard University's Sanders Theatre.
In the opera Giulio Cesare and in the oratorio Saul, Handel calls for a harp to lend its color to special dramatic moments. But it is in the "pure music" of his concerto that the harp shines as a virtuosic solo instrument. The pedal mechanism on the modern harp allows the player to raise and lower notes to create sharps and flats. In Handel's time, there was no such mechanism, yet the music of the day required chromatic notes and changes of key. To accomplish this, the triple harp—similar to what became known as the Welsh harp—used three rows of strings. The outer two rows, one played by the right hand, the other by the left, generally had the natural notes, equivalent to the white keys on the piano. Running down the middle was a third row of strings containing the chromatic notes, equivalent to the black keys on the piano. The sharps or flats could thus be played by either hand reaching to the inside.

Barbara Poeschl-Edrich, who now teaches harp at Boston University, studied the Baroque harp while a student in the Historical Performance Department at BU, the program in which Boston Baroque is in residence. She has performed on Baroque harp with Boston Baroque, the Boston Camerata, Handel and Haydn Society, and other ensembles. As a modern harpist, she has played with the Boston Symphony and was a soloist in an orchestral work written by Martin Pearlman.

Soloists
Mary Wilson has become a favorite of Boston Baroque audiences, having performed with us in operas and in concert, including a stunning appearance in Boston Baroque's concert at the Casals Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Of her appearance this past March in our concert of "Jewels and Discoveries," the Hub Review wrote, "Ms. Wilson's voice is just about perfect for Handel—her tone is ripe with sun, and her phrasings so flexible they seem to almost ripple…"

Arcangelo Corelli
Concerto Grosso
J.S. Bach
Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043
G.F. Handel
Concerto for harp in B-flat major, Op. 4, No. 6

Time and Man - NEW YEAR’S ENCYCLICAL - by Metropolitan Sotirios

2011-12-28T15:10:00.000-08:00

God is timeless, un-begotten, and not created by anything or anyone else. God is not subject to anything or anyone, while everyone and everything is subject to Him. He is "the Author of the Heavens and the earth, and all things visible and invisible."
Man was created in due time by his Creator, God. No matter how long he lives upon the earth, he is subject to the ravages of time. In the afterlife, humanity will also be eternal and unchangeable. This will be the state of man especially after the Universal Resurrection of all people and at the Last Judgment of all by Jesus Christ, the Redeemer and Saviour of the world.
A definition of time does not exist. It is simply a notion by which we measure our lives and in general the duration of an event.
Time is a subduer of everything. Everything is tamed by time, because "everything is flowing and in motion." Everything on earth is always changing, and subject to corruption. Everything is tamed and subdued by time.
God, who created us, gave us the opportunity to live a certain number of years upon this earth. We should not simply attribute this solely to God. We are also responsible for how long we will live on the earth. This depends, of course, upon the will of God, but also upon how much we live a healthy life, guided by proper choices in life. When we live a measured and modest life, we will live better and longer. When we make all sorts of bad choices that will negatively affect our bodies, we will live a bad life that will certainly result in a shorter life upon the earth.
We can say that time is the most valuable possession in life. The second and the minute that we live now, can never be relived. The moment we live in now, is totally under our sovereignty. The moment that has passed, is gone forever. If you have made good use of this time, you have gained this moment. If not, you have lost if forever.
The time that we live on earth is of utmost importance for our life here and now, but also for our life in eternity. Let us consider a simple example. You are young. You make good use of the time at your disposal. You work hard. You accumulate a certain amount of wealth. You deposit this in the bank in order to collect interest, and this wealth begins to work for you on its own. In time, the money you have deposited in the bank begins to double and to multiply many times over. The same principle applies to the formation of good character within us. Our good character and charitable acts of mercy and good works will eventually multiply in time, much more rapidly than money in the bank will, because this will continue in the afterlife and in eternity. The only things that we will take with us after death, is our good character and our good acts of mercy and charity toward others.
The most basic and important thing in life is the proper and advantageous use of time to our benefit. This determines everything in life, such as the living of a good life on earth, but more importantly, the inheritance of the eternal Kingdom of God. It depends on us and our choices in life, if we will suffer corruption during the days of our life on earth, or if we try to be renewed in life through leading a virtuous life on earth.
2011 is now gone and forever in the past. We will make the best use of the time in this New Year if we pause in order to reflect a bit, and to evaluate our works and actions done in 2011. By the Grace of God, the New Year of 2012 opens anew before us. None of us knows when and how it will conclude. Perhaps we will reach the end of 2012, or we may go on to live for many more years. Some may be suddenly called to take that journey into eternity in 2012. Today, let us raise our “mind, soul and heart” to the heavens and let us render thanks to the Almighty Thrice-Holy God for granting us the gift that was 2011 that we were accounted worthy to live. Let us also give thanks for the gift of the New Year that today opens before us. It is towards our material, but more importantly, in our spiritual interest, that we are called to make proper and advantageous use of every second, minute and hour in our life.
I extend to all my prayers and best wishes for a Happy New Year, blessed by God with the blessings of health and spiritual joy and progress. I sincerely hope that all of us enjoy both material but especially spiritual progress in this New Year that opens before us.

With fatherly love and warm wishes,
Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios of Toronto (Canada)

TS:pa

Χρόνος και άνθρωπος * ΠΡΩΤΟΧΡΟΝΙΑΤΙΚΗ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ * Μητροπολίτη Σωτηρίου

2011-12-28T15:07:00.000-08:00

Αχρονος, αγέννητος, αποίητος είναι ο Θεός. Δεν υπόκειται σε τίποτε και τα πάντα υπόκεινται σ’ Αυτόν. Είναι «Ποιητής ουρανού και γής ορατών τε πάντων τε καί αοράτων».
Ο άνθρωπος δημιουργήθηκε σε τακτό χρόνο από τον Δημιουργό του, τον Θεό. Όσο ζει επί της γης υπόκειται στην φθορά του χρόνου. Στην μετά θάνατο ζωή και ο άνθρωπος θα είναι αιώνιος και αναλοίωτος. Ιδιαίτερα μετά την κοινή ανάσταση όλων των ανθρώπων και την κρίση από τον Ιησού Χριστό, τον Λυτρωτή και Σωτήρα του κόσμου.
Ορισμός του χρόνου αυτός καθ’ εαυτόν δεν υπάρχει. Είναι μία έννοια με την οποία μετράμε την ζωή μας και γενικά την διάρκεια κάποιου γεγονότος.
Ο χρόνος είναι πανδαμάτωρ. Τα πάντα δαμάζονται από τον χρόνο, διότι «τα πάντα ρει». Επί της γης όλα ρέουν. ‘Ολα υπόκεινται στην φθορά. Όλα δαμάζονται από τον χρόνο.
Ο Θεός που μας δημιούργησε, μάς δίδει την ευκαιρία να ζήσουμε ένα χρονικό διάστημα πάνω στη γη. Δεν πρέπει όλα να τα ρίχνουμε στο Θεό. Είμαστε και εμείς υπεύθυνοι για το πόσο θα ζήσουμε επί της γης. Εξαρτάται βέβαια, από το θέλημα του Θεού, αλλά και από το πόσο εμείς κάνουμε σωστή ζωή. Όταν κάνουμε καλή και μετρημένη ζωή, θα ζήσουμε καλύτερα και περισσότερο. Όταν κάνουμε τις παντός είδους καταχρήσεις, θα έχουμε άσχημη ζωή και οπωσδήποτε μικρότερη πάνω στη γη.
Μπορούμε να ειπούμε, ότι ο χρόνος είναι το πιο ακριβό είδος. Η στιγμή την οποία ζούμε τώρα, δεν μπορούμε ποτέ να την ξαναζήσουμε. Η στιγμή την οποία ζούμε, είναι στην κυριαρχία μας. Η στιγμή που έφυγε, έφυγε για πάντα. Εάν την χρησιμοποιήσαμε σωστά, την κερδίσαμε. Εάν όχι, την χάσαμε.
Ο χρόνος τον οποίο ζούμε πάνω στη γη είναι υψίστης σημασίας για την ζωή μας αυτή εδώ, αλλά και για την μετά θάνατο ζωή. Να πάρουμε ένα απλό παράδειγμα. Είσαι νέος. Εκμεταλλεύεσαι τον χρόνο σωστά. Εργάζεσαι. Αποκτάς ένα ορισμένο ποσό χρημάτων. Το τοκίζεις στη τράπεζα κι εκείνο δουλεύει μόνο του για σένα. Με τον τόκο πολλαπλασιάζεται, σύμφωνα με τον χρόνο. Το ίδιο ακριβώς συμβαίνει με τη δημιουργία καλού μας χαρακτήρα. Ο καλός μας χαρακτήρας και οι αγαθοεργίες μας, πολλαπλασιάζονται με τον χρόνο πολύ περισσότερο από το χρήμα, διότι θα συνεχίζουν και στην μετά θάνατο ζωή, στην αιωνιότητα. Τα μόνα που παίρνουμε μαζί μας μετά θάνατο, είναι ο καλός μας χαρακτήρας και οι αγαθοεργίες μας.
Το βασικότερο και σπουδαιότερο πράγμα στη ζωή μας, είναι η σωστή εκμετάλλευση του χρόνου. Από αυτό εξαρτάται τα μέγιστα, η καλή ζωή μας επί της γης, αλλά και η κληρονομιά της αιώνιας Βασιλείας του Θεού. Από εμάς εξαρτάται να φθαρούμε μέσα στο χρόνο της επίγειας ζωής μας ή να ανακαινισθούμε.
Το 2011 είναι παρελθόν. Θα εκμεταλλευθούμε σωστά τον χρόνο, εάν καθήσουμε λιγάκι και αξιολογήσουμε τα έργα μας κατά το 2011. Το 2012 με τη Χάρη του Θεού ανοίγεται μπροστά μας. Κανένας μας δεν ξέρει μέχρι που θα πάει. Μπορεί να φθάσουμε στο τέλος του 2012. Μπορεί να ζήσουμε και πολλά άλλα χρόνια. Μπορεί όμως και στο 2012 να φύγουμε έκτακτα για τον ουρανό. Σήμερα ας υψώσουμε «νουν, ψυχήν και καρδίαν» στον ουρανό και ας ευχαριστήσουμε τον Τρισάγιο Θεό για το δώρο του 2011 που μας αξίωσε να ζήσουμε, αλλά και για το 2012 που ξανοίγεται μπροστά μας. Είναι προς το υλικό, αλλά κυρίως προς το πνευματικό συμφέρον μας να χρησιμοποιήσουμε κάθε στιγμή του καινούργιου χρόνου σωστά.
Εύχομαι σε όλους ευτυχισμένο και ευλογημένο από τον Θεό τον καινούργιο χρόνο. Εύχομαι όλοι μας να έχουμε υλική και κυρίως πνευματική πρόοδο.

Με πατρική αγάπη και θερμές ευχές

Ο ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ

Ο ΤΟΡΟΝΤΟ ΣΩΤΗΡΙΟΣ

ΤΣ:γκ

NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS ‘THE HERO’S FIRE’

2011-12-27T12:31:00.000-08:00

YEVGENY SUDBIN PERFORMS SCRIABIN’S PROMETHEUS: THE POEM OF FIRE, ARC3DESIGN CREATES SPECIAL LIGHTING ENVIRONMENT
FIRST PROGRAM OF 2012 ‘FIRE’ WINTER FESTIVAL FEATURES STRAVINSKY’S THE FIREBIRD AND MUSIC FROM WAGNER’S DIE WALKÜRE
FRI., JAN. 6 IN NEWARK
SAT., JAN. 7 IN NEW BRUNSWICK
SUN., JAN. 8 IN NEWARK

NEWARK, NJ (DECEMBER 13, 2011)—Music Director Jacques Lacombe and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra kick off 2012 with The Hero’s Fire, the first program in the Orchestra’s 2012 Winter Festival—FIRE. Pianist Yevgeny Sudbin joins the NJSO for Scriabin’s Prometheus: The Poem of Fire (Symphony No. 5); Arc3design collaborates with the Orchestra to create a special lighting environment for these performances.

“‘Big’ is the theme of this program,” Lacombe says of the Winter Festival’s opening weekend. “The Firebird and Prometheus: The Poem of Fire are very rich in terms of their orchestrations. Both Stravinsky and Scriabin are Russian, so there is an affinity and a link between these two great composers and orchestrators. To open with this Wagner music that also has a really deep sound is exciting, and I enjoy introducing some opera into my orchestral programs.”

“The Prometheus myth is so fitting for these Winter Festival programs centered around fire,” Lacombe says of the tale that has inspired multiple composers. “Scriabin’s music is not often performed, and we have a Scriabin specialist in guest pianist Yevgeny Sudbin, so that will be a revelation for the audience.”

Performances take place on Friday, January 6, (8 p.m.) and Sunday, January 8, (3 p.m.) at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark and Saturday, January 7, (8 p.m.) at the State Theatre in New Brunswick. A special Winter Festival pre-concert event—“Keeping the Home Fires Burning: A Panel Discussion on Alternative Energy Sources”—begins one hour before the January 6 and January 8 performances in Newark. The two Newark performances will also feature an Information Fair & Artisan Marketplace; artisans who work with fire and environmental organizations will host displays in the Prudential Hall lobby before the concert and during intermission.

TICKETS
Tickets range in price from $20 to $85 and are available for purchase online at www.njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).

THE PROGRAM

THE HERO’S FIRE
Friday, January 6 at 8 pm | NJPAC in Newark
Saturday, January 7 at 8 pm | State Theatre in New Brunswick
Sunday, January 8 at 3 pm | NJPAC in Newark

Jacques Lacombe, conductor
Yevgeny Sudbin, piano
Arc3design, lighting
Al Crawford, designer

WAGNER “Wotan’s Farewell” and “Magic Fire Music” from Die Walküre
SCRIABIN Prometheus: The Poem of Fire (Symphony No. 5)
STRAVINSKY The Firebird (complete)

RELATED EVENTS:

Keeping the Home Fires Burning: A Panel Discussion on Alternative Energy Sources
Friday, January 6 at 7 pm | NJPAC in Newark
Sunday, January 8 at 2 pm | NJPAC in Newark

An eye-opening discussion about new developments in alternative energy both in the United States and abroad. Find out what you can do to prepare your homes and your families for possible futures beyond oil and coal.

Moderated by Christopher Daggett, President & CEO, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
Tom Johnson, Co-Founder & Energy and Environment Writer, NJ Spotlight
Jeff Tittel, Chapter Director, New Jersey Sierra Club

Information Fair & Artisan Marketplace
Jan. 6 & 8 | NJPAC in Newark

Artisans who work with fire and environmental organizations will host displays in the lobby before the concert and during intermission.

THE ARTISTS
Jacques Lacombe, conductor
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Music Director Jacques Lacombe is renowned as a remarkable conductor whose artistic integrity and rapport with orchestras have propelled him to international stature.

Principal Guest Conductor of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal from 2002 to 2006, he led the orchestra in more than 100 performances. He served for three years as Music Director of both orchestra and opera with the Philharmonie de Lorraine in France; he has been Music Director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Trois-Rivières since 2006.

Lacombe’s engagements for the 2011–12 season include his debut with the Orquesta Filarmonica de Malaga in Spain, return engagements with the Vancouver Opera in Roméo et Juliette and with the Deutsche Oper in Un Ballo in Maschera, as well as two rarely performed operas: Felix von Weingartner’s Die Dorfschule and Carl Orff’s Gisei – Das Opfer. Lacombe will make his Carnegie Hall debut as part of the May 2012 Spring for Music Festival with the NJSO.

In recent seasons, Lacombe made his debut with the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden and at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich. He led Turandot and Les Contes d’Hoffmann for Opéra de Monte-Carlo and Der fliegende Holländer, Eugene Onegin, Zemlinsky’s Der Traumgörge and concert performances of Waltershausen’s rarely heard Oberst Chabert at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Oberst Chabert was released as a live CD by CPO in 2011. He has also led operatic productions at the Metropolitan Opera and Teatro Regio in Turin, given the world premiere of Vladimir Cosma’s Marius et Fanny at l’Opéra de Marseille and worked abroad with orchestras in Nice, Toulouse and Halle, as well as with the Orchestre Lamoureux in Paris, Slovakia Philharmonic, Budapest Symphony, Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Victoria Orchestra Melbourne and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Yevgeny Sudbin, piano
Yevgeny Sudbin has been hailed by London’s Daily Telegraph as “potentially one of the greatest pianists of the 21st century,” calling his performance at the BBC Proms “sublime.” The International Record Review writes that his Rachmaninoff recording “confirms him as one of the most important pianistic talents of our time” and comments on his sixth solo CD of works by Haydn, “one can only marvel at the flawless technique, unfailing musicianship and highly informed opinion [in] his own extensive program notes.”

Sudbin’s worldwide recitals have included appearances at Tonhalle in Zurich, Wigmore Hall Master Series, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, San Francisco Performances, Gilmore International Piano Festival, ProArte Musical in Puerto Rico and Singapore International Piano Festival, among others. He has performed with London Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony, Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra and Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra in Lincoln Center, and he has performed and recorded with the North Carolina and Saõ Paulo Symphonies. Future orchestral engagements include performances with the Singapore and Vancouver Symphonies and Bergen Philharmonic.

Sudbin continues his ongoing recording project for BIS with the Minnesota Orchestra, under Osmo Vänskä, performing and recording all the Beethoven concerti; the first CD was released to rave reviews.

For high-resolution artist photos, full bios and program notes, visit www.njsymphony.org/pressroom. For Winter Festival presenter bios, visit www.njsymphony.org/fire/bios.htm.

THE NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra is comprised of some of the country’s finest musicians. The Orchestra is proud to have Jacques Lacombe as its Music Director and Neeme Järvi as its Conductor Laureate. Artistic excellence, innovative programming and community engagement are hallmarks of its mission. To best serve the people of New Jersey, the orchestra brings its programs to seven outstanding venues throughout the state. Education and community engagement programs enrich the listening experience for children and adults alike. Select performances of the NJSO are broadcast regionally and throughout North America. United is the official airline of the NJSO.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra continues its major fundraising initiative—the NJSO Comprehensive Campaign. To date, more than $30 million towards a $32 million goal has been raised in support of the Orchestra. For information about contributing to this historic campaign, contact Thomas Daubert, Director of Development, at 973.624.3713, ext. 269.

For more information about the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, visit www.njsymphony.org or e-mail information@njsymphony.org. Tickets are available for purchase by phone 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or on the Orchestra’s website.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s programs are made possible in part by The New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, along with many other foundations, corporations and individual donors.

NJSO VENUES
For venue contact information, directions and information about public transportation, parking, dining options and more, visit www.njsymphony.org/venues.

PRESS CONTACT
National & NYC Press Representative: Brittnee Walker, Cohn Dutcher Associates | 917.339.7183 | bwalker@cohndutcher.com
Regional Press Representative: Victoria McCabe, NJSO Communications and External Affairs |
973.624.3713, ext. 234 | vmccabe@njsymphony.org

Charlotte Symphony Presents “Disney In Concert” January 7

2011-12-27T12:26:00.000-08:00

Beloved Songs Performed with Original Disney Artwork

The Charlotte Symphony is bringing an enchanting production to the stage to mark the beginning of 2012. “Disney In Concert: Magical Music from the Movies” will feature beloved tunes along with rare original storyboard artwork and video. On January 7th at 2:30 and 8 p.m. at the Belk Theater, the show will awaken the inner child and Disney fan in us all.

“Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies” will feature songs from Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean and more. Derived from some of the most famous movie scores ever written, the musical program reveals many of Walt Disney's stories and characters through memorable melodies.

Nearly one hour of classic Disney-produced visuals will accompany the music, depicting original drawings of a Mary Poppins-style London, the frolicking young Simba and Nala and other nostalgic Disney scenes. The program features timeless music and universal themes that will appeal to audiences of all ages through live music and corresponding visual imagery.

Remember Ariel’s desperate yearning to be human in “Part of Your World”? Or the fiery spirit and sage advice of Pocahontas in “Colors of the Wind”? And who can forget Aladdin and Princess Jasmine's magic carpet ride and the love theme, “A Whole New World”?

Vocal talents Candice Nicole, Stephanie Burkett Gerson, Andrew Johnson and Aaron Phillips will bring your favorite characters to life. The combination of singers, original video and symphony orchestra will create a spectacular performance of magic and charm.

Don’t miss this fantastic, family-friendly production of the Magic of Disney! Tickets are available by calling the Charlotte Symphony Ticket Office at (704) 972-2000, or at www.charlottesymphony.org.

Nintendo's 2012 Concert Series for The Legend of Zelda Will Kick Off In Dallas

2011-12-27T12:23:00.000-08:00

Dallas Symphony Orchestra to Play 'Symphony of the Goddesses' on January 10, 2012

DALLAS, TX (November 8, 2011)- Video game fans in the Lone Star State will soon be able to experience Nintendo's musical tribute to The Legend of Zelda™ video game series. On Jan. 10, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will perform orchestral arrangements of music from the game's twenty five year history accompanied by video content from the games themselves. This new concert series will go on tour across the United States in 2012 as The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses. Tickets for the Dallas performance are now available directly from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at dallassymphony.com or by calling 214-692-0203 and range in price from $19 to $115. Through Nov. 30, tickets are available to Club Nintendo members at a 15% discount.
Nintendo has teamed up with Jason Michael Paul Productions, Inc. to provide video game fans with the ultimate musical experience for The Legend of Zelda. The highlight of this new musical program is a full four-movement symphony that will guide fans through a musical retelling of key chapters from The Legend of Zelda franchise. The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses concerts will be conducted by Irish-born conductor Eímear Noone, and the multimedia show will pair iconic music and gorgeous visuals from classic Zelda titles including the newest game in the series, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for the Wii™ console.
"The love that fans feel for The Legend of Zelda series cannot be overstated," said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "In 2012, we want to give people across the country a chance to come together and enjoy the music from the games that mean so much to so many."
"The Legend of Zelda is as close to our hearts as it is for the fans," said Jeron Moore, producer for Jason Michael Paul Productions, Inc. "The tour will be something both fans of the franchise and music enthusiasts alike won't want to miss."
Additional performance dates will be announced in the future. For more information about the concerts, visit http://www.zelda-symphony.com. For more information about the ticket discount available to Club Nintendo members, please visit club.nintendo.com.
About the Dallas Symphony Orchestra

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, under the leadership of Music Director Jaap van Zweden, presents the finest in classical music at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, regarded as one of the world's premiere concert halls.

As the largest and oldest performing arts organization in the southwest, the Dallas Symphony is committed to inspiring the broadest possible audience. Each year, the orchestra reaches more than 240,000 adults and 60,000 children through performances, educational programs and community outreach initiatives. In the last 25 years, the orchestra has released more than 30 CD recordings; toured Europe four times; and performed in Asia, Mexico, Washington D.C. at the Kennedy Center, and in New York at Carnegie Hall.

In his fourth year with the Dallas Symphony, Maestro van Zweden continues to deliver artistic excellence by bringing prominent and emerging guest soloists and conductors to Dallas, and by programming new works alongside beloved favorites. The DSO's residency at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival as well as invitations to prominent events, such as the 2011 Spring for Music Festival at Carnegie Hall, are also elevating the orchestra to national and international prominence.

Founded in 1900, the Dallas Symphony is now a central figure in the Dallas Arts District, the largest of its kind in the nation. The 68-acre district in downtown Dallas is home to multiple museums, parks, and performing arts venues, including the Meyerson Symphony Center.

About Nintendo
The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™ home console, Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.8 billion video games and more than 610 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™ and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company's website at http://www.nintendo.com.

Ainars Rubikis to become Music Director at Novosibirsk Opera

2011-12-27T12:17:00.000-08:00

Ainars Rubikis has accepted the position of Music Director at Novosibirsk Opera House - the largest in Russia - from 1 January 2012 for an initial period of three years.

The Latvian conductor gained international recognition as the winner of the Third Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition with the Bamberg Symphony in 2010 and was also the recipient of the Nestle/Salzburg Young Conductors’ Award in 2011. Rubikis will conduct symphonic programmes and a minimum of two new staged productions per season alongside repertoire performances, with exciting projects afoot for 2012, including Verdi’s Requiem, Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky and opera including Carmen and La bohème.

In the past two years, Rubikis has collaborated with a range of renowned ensembles in Europe and beyond, including: Kremerata Baltica; Northern Sinfonia; Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra; Hong Kong Philharmonic; Gulbenkian Orchestra; Bamberg Symphony and Estonian National Orchestra, as well as frequent appearances at Latvian National Opera. He has appeared at Salzburg, Lockenhaus and Edinburgh Festivals; Musikverein Wien on tour with Kremeratica Baltica and recently shared the podium with Sir Neville Mariner in Britten’s War Requiem with Brussels Philharmonic at the Klara Festival.

A beaming Ainars, accepting the position in Novosibirsk today said:
“I am thrilled to start this exciting journey in Novosibirsk--a House bursting with such warm and welcoming people, talented musicians, and where everyone’s clear objective is truly to serve the music. I look forward to many special moments in the years to come!”

RENOWNED NEW YORK CITY BALLET TO BRING GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER™ WITH SPECIAL GUEST HOST KELLY RIPA LIVE TO MOVIE THEATERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

2011-12-24T12:29:00.000-08:00

Produced by Lincoln Center for Live Broadcast by NCM Fathom, Beloved Holiday Classic Arrives in Select Theaters Nationwide on Tuesday, December 13
New York & Centennial, Colo. – November 21, 2011 – This holiday season, New York City Ballet’s acclaimed production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ arrives in movie theaters across the country for one magical night. New York City Ballet presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ LIVE featuring special guest host Kelly Ripa of LIVE! With Kelly, will be broadcast to more than 550 theaters nationally on Tuesday, December 13 at 6:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. CT/ 7:30 p.m. MT/PT/HI/AK (tape delayed). As host of the live broadcast, Ripa will take audiences backstage for a behind-the-scenes look at the magic of The Nutcracker including interviews with NYCB principal dancers and others who bring this holiday classic to life onstage. This special holiday event will also feature an exclusive visit to a rehearsal at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet and home to the young ballet students who perform in the production each year.
Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
“We are thrilled to bring this beloved holiday production to audiences around the
country, in what we hope will be the first of many opportunities to present New York City Ballet’s extraordinary repertory in movie theaters throughout the world,” said Katherine E. Brown, NYCB’s executive director. “We are particularly delighted to have Kelly Ripa hosting this landmark presentation, bringing her unmatched passion and energy to this very special event.”
Ripa is co-host of the popular syndicated morning talk show LIVE! With Kelly and
recently celebrated her 10 th anniversary as co-host of the show. After 10 consecutive Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Talk Show Host with partner Regis Philbin, the duo recently was honored as co-winners of the 2011 Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host for "LIVE."
New York City Ballet presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ LIVE is being produced for movie theaters by the award-winning Live From Lincoln Center team that brings live performances to millions of viewers every year. This special holiday presentation will be broadcast to select movie theaters through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network.
The Nutcracker will transport audiences to a dream-like place filled with visions of
Sugarplum Fairies, marching toy soldiers and a glowing one-ton Christmas tree that will grow, seemingly forever, in front of movie theater audiences nationwide. The production will feature NYCB Principal Dancers Megan Fairchild and Joaquin de Luz as the “Sugarplum Fairy” and her “Cavalier” and Ashley Bouder as “Dewdrop,” accompanied by the 62-piece New York City Ballet Orchestra under the direction of conductor Clotilde Otrano.
Other highlights of this enchanting presentation include an onstage snowstorm and
hundreds of elaborate costumes including one for “Mother Ginger” that measures nine feet wide and weighs 85 pounds. The production’s grand finale will also use more than one million watts of lighting – the most used in any New York City Ballet production.
Set to Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky’s glorious score, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ features choreography by Balanchine, scenery by Rouben Ter-Arutunian, costumes by Karinska, and lighting by Mark Stanley after the original design by Ronald Bates. The 70 New York City Ballet dancers, the 62-piece New
York City Ballet Orchestra, and 50 children from the School of American Ballet, the
official school of NYCB.
“This is an exciting ‘first’ for Lincoln Center and for the New York City Ballet—the first offering of an American ballet company’s live performance in cinemas worldwide,” said Elizabeth Scott, Lincoln Center’s chief media and digital officer.
This production, which premiered on February 2, 1954, at the City Center of Music and Drama in New York City, helped establish The Nutcracker and its score as a perennial favorite in the United States, evident by the countless versions of the ballet now performed all over the country. New York City Ballet’s beloved production has been seen by more than 100,000 people annually and has been performed more than 2,000 times.
“George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ is a holiday favorite cherished by millions
around the world,” said Dan Diamond, senior vice president of NCM Fathom.
“Performed live by America’s treasured New York City Ballet, fans will experience this historic holiday performance all in the comfort and convenience of their local movie theater.”
About National CineMedia (NCM) NCM operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S.
consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom present cinema advertising and events across the nation’s largest digital intheater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal untertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater
circuits. NCM’s theater advertising network covers 176 Designated Market Areas® (49 of the top 50) and includes over 18,300 screens (17,300 digital). During 2010, approximately 700 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters in which NCM currently has exclusive, cinema advertising agreements in place. The NCM Fathom Events broadcast network is comprised of nearly 700 locations in 165 Designated Market Areas® (all of the top 50). The NCM interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing 42 entertainment-related websites, online widgets and mobile applications.
National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 48.7% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit www.ncm.com or www.FathomEvents.com.
About the New York City Ballet New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world, with a roster of spectacular dancers and an unparalleled repertory. Now under the artistic direction of Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins, the Company was founded in 1948 by the legendary choreography George Balanchine and arts patron Lincoln Kirstein, and quickly became world-
renowned for its athletic, contemporary style, which revolutionized the ballet world. The Company has also been home to Jerome Robbins, who made more than 50 works for NYCB, as well as to countless other choreographers, composers, dancers and musicians. Widely acknowledged for its enduring contributions to dance, NYCB is committed to promoting creative excellence and nurturing a new generation of dancers and choreographers.

Boston Philharmonic Orchestra Announces 2011-12 Season

2011-12-24T12:10:00.000-08:00

The Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Benjamin Zander, announces the 2011-12 season. Subscriptions are now on sale and single tickets go on sale September 1, 2011. For more information or to purchase subscriptions, please call 617-236-0999 or visit www.bostonphil.org.

Concert 1: The Inextinguishable Human Spirit
Jean Sibelius Swan of Tuonela
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Second Violin Concerto in D, Ilya Kaler, violin
Carl Nielsen Symphony No. 4, “The Inextinguishable”

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 - 7:30pm - Sanders Theatre
Saturday, October 15, 2011 - 8PM - Jordan Hall
Sunday, October 16, 2011 - 3PM - Sanders Theatre

Concert 2: Eternal Students
Johannes Brahms Academic Festival Overture
Bela Bartók Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra, Martina Filjak, piano
Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 4

Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 7:30PM - Sanders Theatre
Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 8PM - Jordan Hall
Sunday, November 20, 2011 - 3PM - Sanders Theatre

Concert 3: Breaking Free of Chains
Ludwig van Beethoven, Leonore Overture No. 3
Witold Lutosławski, Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, Alexander Baillie, cello
Richard Strauss, Ein Heldenleben

Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 7:30PM - Sanders Theatre
Saturday, February 25, 2012 - 8PM - Jordan Hall
Sunday, February 26, 2012 - 3PM - Sanders Theatre

Concert 4: Mahler Triumphant!
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 7

Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 7:30PM - Sanders Theatre
Saturday, April 28, 2012 - 8PM - Jordan Hall
Sunday, April, 29, 2012 - 3PM - Sanders Theatre

Subscription Prices (prices effective through May 25, 2011)

OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL GALA, 16e ÉDITION

2011-12-24T07:40:00.000-08:00

Lauren Segal, mezzo-soprano © yves renaud 2011

Gregory Dahl, baryton et Timothy Vernon, chef d'orchestre
© yves renaud 2011

Le Choeur de l'Opéra de Montréal et l'Orchestre Métropolitain
© yves renaud 2011

L’Opéra de Montréal présente la 16e édition de son Gala. Cette édition mettra en vedette dix chanteurs canadiens, deux musiciens solistes, le Choeur de l’Opéra de Montréal et l’Orchestre Métropolitain sous la direction de Timothy Vernon. Le baryton Bruno Laplante sera intronisé au Panthéon canadien de l’art lyrique en reconnaissance de son apport inestimable à la vie lyrique canadienne. Événement toujours très attendu du public, le Gala se tiendra cette année dans la nouvelle salle – la Maison symphonique de Montréal - le dimanche 4 décembre 2011 à 14 h.

Ce rendez-vous des amoureux du chant offrira un florilège des plus grands airs d’opéra, duos et ensembles choisis du répertoire opératique parmi les favoris du public. Il permettra aussi d’entendre chaque artiste plus d’une fois en solo ou en ensemble. Les compositeurs au programme sont Leoncavallo, Donizetti, Mozart, Gounod, Bizet, Verdi, Giordano, Massenet, Delibes, Puccini, Cilea, Bizet, Bellini, Tchaikosky, Wagner, Offenbach, Plamondon/Cocciante. Les artistes invités sont : Phillip Addis, Alain Coulombe, Gregory Dahl, Antonio Figueroa, Lyne Fortin, Marc Hervieux, Marie-Josée Lord, Sonia Racine, Lauren Segal, Alexandre Sylvestre, Stéphane Tétreault* (violoncelliste), Serhiy Salov* (pianiste).
*Débuts à la compagnie

Chef d’orchestre
TIMOTHY VERNON (CANADA)

Récemment nommé membre de l’Ordre du Canada, Timothy Vernon s’affirme depuis de nombreuses années comme un des chefs d’orchestre canadiens les plus en vue. Fondateur et directeur artistique de Pacific Opera Victoria, il y dirige la majorité des productions, couvrant un vaste répertoire qui va de Handel à Berg, en passant par Verdi et Puccini. On a pu l’entendre au cours des dernières années dans plusieurs maisons d’opéra canadiennes, dont le Calgary Opera, l’Edmonton Opera et l’Opera Lyra Ottawa. Présent aussi au concert, il a été le chef invité des meilleurs orchestres canadiens : le Calgary Philharmonic, le Vancouver Symphony, l’Edmonton Symphony, l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal et le Toronto Symphony. Professeur réputé, il a enseigné notamment à l’Université McGill, en plus de participer à différents projets au disque et à la télévision. Dernière présence à la compagnie : The Turn of the Screw (1996)

Intronisation au Panthéon canadien de l’art lyrique

Le Gala rend un hommage vibrant à une personnalité lyrique qui a marqué le monde de l’opéra au Canada. Cette année, les honneurs reviendront au baryton Bruno Laplante. Son nom s’ajoute aux 52 membres intronisés à ce jour.

BRUNO LAPLANTE, INTRONISÉ 2011 AU PANTHÉON CANADIEN DE L’ART LYRIQUE

Né à Beauharnois, au Québec, Bruno Laplante fut influencé dès son très jeune âge par la musique française. En famille, on y chantait déjà les grands succès de Massenet, de Franck ou de Hahn. Au Collège Bourget de Rigaud, il étudie avec le Père Jacob, qui jouera un rôle prédominant dans sa formation. Il lui fera découvrir un répertoire varié, qui lui donnera des assises solides: une diction exemplaire, un sens du phrasé et des nuances, et, déjà, un intérêt grandissant pour le répertoire français.

Il prépare ensuite son entrée au Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal avec Edouard Wooley. Là, il suit, entre autres, la classe de l’Opéra français, avec Raoul Jobin, et celle de la Mélodie française, avec Roy Royal. Il donne ses premiers concerts : une Sérénade de Léo Delibes pour Geneviève Bujold dans « À quoi rêvent les jeunes filles », le rôle de Siméon de « L’Enfant Prodigue » de Debussy avec l’Orchestre et les Choeurs du Conservatoire, les Choeurs de « L’Arlésienne » de Daudet-Bizet sous la direction de Wilfrid Pelletier ...

Après cinq années d’études, il obtient un Premier Prix en Art vocal avec Grande Distinction. Il poursuit sa formation auprès de Pierre Bernac, à Paris, durant trois ans. Il y acquiert une véritable technique de l’interprétation, faisant ressortir l’essentiel d’une mélodie, et d’abord du texte littéraire, pour réussir ensuite à en communiquer toutes les couleurs. Son séjour lui permet également de faire connaissance de l’intérieur avec la culture européenne. Il participe à plusieurs concours nationaux et internationaux, reçoit diverses récompenses et médailles, dont un Prix spécial d’interprétation à Guelph.

À son retour au Québec, à l’aube des années 70, il organise de grands récitals de Mélodies françaises. L’originalité de son répertoire lui donne d’être très souvent enregistré par les radios, ce qui le révèle au public de mélomanes. Il reçoit des musiques inconnues, et fait plusieurs créations. Il chante également pour la télévision, fait quelques tournées pour les Jeunesses musicales du Canada et de France, crée et dirige l’Ensemble «Cantabile» de Montréal.

Sa carrière internationale prend son essor dès la parution de ses premiers récitals enregistrés sur étiquette Calliope. Il fait le tour de l’Europe : soliste dans de grandes oeuvres avec choeur et orchestre comme les « Béatitudes » de César Franck, enregistrant en public « Pelléas » de Debussy, des opéras de Massenet, ou des mélodies de Duparc, avec orchestre, faisant la création mondiale de « La Chute de la Maison Usher » de Debussy à Francfort avec Eliahu Inbal, travaillant avec des chefs comme Jean Fournet, Spiros Argiris, Charles Dutoit, Franz-Paul Decker, Pierre Bartholomée, Philippe Herreweghe, Kenneth Montgomerry, James de Preist, Louis de Froment, Henry Lewis, José Cérébrier, Jérôme Kaltenbach ...

Il se produit en récital dans les salles les plus prestigieuses: Wigmore Hall à Londres, Concertgebouw à Amsterdam, Kunstring Diligentia à La Haye, Salle Gaveau à Paris, Musikverein à Vienne, Theatro São Luis à Lisbonne, Bunka Kaikan, Oji Hall et Casals Hall à Tokyo, Izumi Hall à Osaka, au Festival du Marais à Paris, à celui d’Aix-en-Provence, aux Nuits de Septembre en Wallonie, à celui des Flandres ou du Canada, à Ottawa ...

L’enregistrement tient une part importante dans sa démarche artistique. Sa lecture des oeuvres, sa curiosité, son sens de la recherche, et surtout son interprétation d’oeuvres méconnues du public ou du répertoire habituel lui donnent une notoriété. Les radios nationales d’Europe (Norvège, Suède, Allemagne, Autriche, Roumanie, Suisse, Grèce, Espagne, Portugal, Angleterre) mais surtout de France, de Belgique et des Pays-Bas, et celles du Japon et du Canada le sollicitent à maintes reprises.

En plus d’être invité par plusieurs compagnies d’opéra en France, en Allemagne et au Canada, Bruno Laplante, comme directeur artistique, a été producteur d’une cinquantaine d’oeuvres lyriques en tous genres, pour plus de 800 représentations, employant environ 400 artistes, 200 créateurs et artisans... dans un effort unique au Canada de renouveler la présentation de l’Art lyrique et d’ouvrir le marché du travail aux jeunes artistes professionnels. Il a aussi été chargé de cours à l’Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) pendant plusieurs années.

Depuis 1989 il forme un duo lyrique avec la mezzo-soprano France Duval. Leur port d’attache est la ville de Québec, d’où ils initient leurs tournées internationales. En 1998, pour les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France, ils ont re-créé le premier opéra historique canadien, « l’Intendant Bigot » d’Ulric Voyer, et en mai 2004, ils ont créé mondialement
deux oeuvres que le NTM venait d’éditer : la cantate « Fernand » (1839) et l’Hymne « La Liberté éclairant le monde » (1876) de Charles Gounod. En octobre 2003, Bruno Laplante a été honoré de la Médaille de l’Assemblée Nationale du Québec.

Sa dernière passion est l’édition musicale et il a entrepris depuis quelques années une oeuvre monumentale, celle d’éditer une Anthologie de la musique québécoise, des origines jusqu’aux contemporains, de Calixa Lavallée à François Morel. Soixante (60) partitions sont déjà disponibles.

Récemment, la France l’a honoré en le nommant au grade de Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de la République française. En décembre 2011, il sera intronisé au Panthéon canadien de l’Art lyrique.

Opéra de Montréal
Gala – 16e édition
Dimanche 4 décembre 2011 à 14 h
10 chanteurs, 2 artistes musiciens, le Choeur de l'Opéra de Montréal et l’Orchestre Métropolitain,
sous la direction de Timothy Vernon.
Précédé de l’intronisation au Panthéon canadien de l'art lyrique de Bruno Laplante.

À la Maison Symphonique de Montréal
Place des Arts

Billetterie de la Place des Arts 514-842-2112 ou 1-866-842-2112 ou
www.laplacedesarts.com

Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus celebrate their 75th Anniversary year with an audience of over 2 million

2011-12-23T16:05:00.000-08:00

Sheffield’s very own Philharmonic Chorus will take centre stage on BBC One on Sunday 5th December. They will feature in a choral edition of the BBC’s flagship religious programme, Songs of Praise, singing four Christmas carols – some with a distinctly ‘Sheffield’ slant.

The Christmas Songs of Praise will not only net them their largest audience to date but will be particularly close to their hearts due to an unusual Sheffield connection. There is a tradition of mass singing in some of the pubs in North Sheffield and North Derbyshire, which takes place in the second half of November and throughout December, and which is often referred to as 'The Sheffield Carols'. These events have been described as one of the most remarkable instances of popular traditional singing in the British Isles, and featured in broadcasts last Christmas on both BBC Radio 2 and 3. The Sheffield carols Hark, hark what news and Christians awake will form part of the Chorus’s Christmas programme, bringing a unique local flavour to the event.

Choirs often find themselves singing festive music rather earlier than most due to having to rehearse in the months leading up to December. Songs of Praise kept this tradition alive by being recorded way back in October. “It was all quite exciting” said Jo Briddock, a 2nd alto who has sung with the Chorus for ten years. “We got our best choral glad rags on, made sure we knew the music inside out, then sang our hearts out next to a rather splendid Christmas tree....in October”, she laughed. “But I must say that St Oswald’s on Bannerdale Road was a wonderful venue, most atmospheric and with glorious acoustics”.

The Chorus’s 75th Anniversary season has already seen them perform Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius – to high acclaim - and this will be closely followed by two Christmas Concerts, at the City Hall - on Sunday 12 December. Mozart’s ever popular Requiem will follow on Friday 25 February 2011 and a performance on 3 June 2011 of Walton’s Henry V with their Patron, Samuel West. They will also be joining their colleagues of the Leeds Philharmonic Chorus for a performance of Verdi’s Requiem in Leeds Town Hall on Saturday 21 May 2011. With a DVD due for imminent release of the first recording for brass band and Chorus of Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man it seems their 75th Anniversary year will certainly be one to remember.

Liverpool Philharmonic reveals New Year line up PLUS special 12 days of Christmas giveaway!

2011-12-23T16:00:00.000-08:00

Roll call includes Katherine Jenkins, Rebecca Ferguson, Nigel Kennedy, Omid Djalili, Joan Baez, Christy Moore, Stewart Lee and more…

X Factor and Any Dream Will Do Stars

Strong roots, folk and world music line up

Full Jan-Apr listings on sale TODAY!

Liverpool Philharmonic today reveals another diverse line-up of talent from the world of music, film and comedy launching the 2012 January to April New Year programme of events, in addition to a special 12 days of Christmas giveaway.

2012 sees major artists visit the venue on Hope Street including one of Britain's best singers Katherine Jenkins, world renowned American jazz vocalist Curtis Stigers, I’m A Celebrity funny girl Crissy Rock and a Liverpool Philharmonic debut for The Osmonds (Jimmy Osmond is of course famous for the 1972 number one hit single Long Haired Lover From Liverpool). The magnificent art deco concert hall also welcomes back Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, The Waterboys, The Hollies and, after last year’s two-night Liverpool Irish Festival appearances, legendary Irish artist Christy Moore.

2012 begins with a New Year’s Day Prom and a visit to Liverpool Philharmonic Hall by the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (5 January); a team of 165 teenagers from across Britain who will inspire you with their incredible talent, creativity and conviction that music can change lives.

Highlights in the early New Year to look out for include concerts by the biggest names from TV reality shows Lee Mead (24 February), Rebecca Ferguson (9 March) and Matt Cardle (14 March).

There’s an exciting chance to see three of the finest Celtic musicians share a stage when the critically acclaimed Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker & John Doyle (24 February) perform in St George’s Hall Concert Room. Folk and roots music fans will also be delighted to hear that BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends (26 February) will be downing their nets and lobster pots to make the trip up from their West Country fishing village to sing live at Liverpool Philharmonic. Plus, there is also a return for the hugely influential folk legend Joan Baez (2 March).

After another successful Liverpool Irish Festival in October 2011, Irish music continues to be strongly represented at the venue with Tommy Fleming (11 March), known as ‘The Voice of Ireland’, famous for his haunting versions of songs like Danny Boy. There’s a 5oth Anniversary show by The Dubliners (19 March), the return of favourites The Waterboys (24 March) a greatest hits show from Gilbert O’Sullivan (5 April) and perhaps one of the most influential Irish artists of a generation, Christy Moore (7 April).

The Billy Fury Story (17 April) featuring his own band Fury’s Tornados provide a fitting tribute to the local star on what would have his 72nd Birthday Day. Artists from further afield include the American country singer and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Don Williams (24 April) who returns to the UK for the first time in six years. And from Libya and the Sahara Desert come the incredible rebel blues band Tinariwen (11 April) their celebrity fans include Robert Plant, Santana, the Edge and Thom Yorke.

Plus, Liverpool Philharmonic’s Film Series continues, projected on to only working Walturdaw Cinema screen in the world which rises out of the stage accompanied by resident organist, Dave Nicholas. Film highlights and gems include new releases such as The Iron Lady, Wuthering Heights andWar Horse, as well as classics including a Valentine’s Day special screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

12 Days Of Christmas giveaway

To celebrate the launch of the New Year events, each day from Monday 5 December, anyone following Liverpool Philharmonic on Twitter @liverpoolphil or Facebook fb.com/liverpoolphilharmonic could win a host of prizes including a iPod Nano from John Lewis, a Liverpool ONE Gift Card worth £50 and a family pass for the real Ice Rink on Chavasse Park, a Champagne and Blow appointment at Andrew Collinge and Family Pass to Alice in Wonderland Exhibition at Tate Liverpool, plus many more!

To purchase tickets to any Liverpool Philharmonic events order online at www.liverpoolphil.com or call Box Office on 0151 709 3789.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra - LIVE RELEASES RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: SYMPHONY NOS. 4 & 5

2011-12-21T15:13:00.000-08:00

The TSO performed Vaughan Williams’s Symphony No.4 in a critically- acclaimed performance at Carnegie Hall earlier this year.

December 14, 2011 Toronto – The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s self-produced record label tsoLIVE releases Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphony Nos. 4 & 5. This is the orchestra’s sixth release in its series of recordings on the tsoLIVE label. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra and TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian’s performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 4 was recorded live at Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto in March 2011. The same program was repeated in the TSO’s sold-out return to Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium where The New York Times noted, “The orchestra sounded bright and confident.” The Toronto Symphony Orchestra and TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian’s performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphony No.5 was recorded live at Roy Thomson Hall in November 2008.

Vaughan Williams’s Symphony No. 4 is a stormy work that diverges from the composer’s usual folk-inspired musical language and was composed during the years leading up to the Second World War. Vaughan Williams’s Symphony No. 5, a work he composed in the later years of his life, was inspired by his fascination with John Bunyan’s text, The Pilgrim’s Progress, which explores a man’s journey to spiritual enlightenment, and can be heard in this symphonic journey that ends in triumph.

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphony Nos. 4 & 5 and othertsoLIVE recordings are available for purchase at the Roy Thomson Hall music store and digitally at tso.ca, amazon.com and iTunes.

In 2008, TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra launched tsoLIVE, the TSO’s self-produced label of live concert recordings. tsoLIVE recordings continue to connect audiences with critically acclaimed performances of the TSO beyond the concert hall. The label has previously released live concert recordings Elgar’s: Enigma Variations and Mussorgsky’s: Pictures at an Exhibition in a disc entitled Portraits (released in January 2008), Bruckner: Symphony No.4 (released in June 2008), Mahler: Symphony No.4 (released in October 2008), Shostakovich: Symphony No.7 (released in June 2010), and Gustav Holst: The Planets (released in March 2011).

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphony Nos. 4 & 5Peter Oundjian, conductor
Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Symphony No. 4 was recorded live in March 2011 at Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, Canada
Symphony No. 5 was recorded live in November 2008 at Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, Canada
Product code: TSO-0311

This recording of Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphony Nos. 4 & 5 is made possible with the support of William R. Waters.

TSO 90th Season Sponsor is BMO Financial Group.

About the TSO: Founded in 1922, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is one of Canada’s major cultural institutions and is internationally recognized as a leading orchestra. Under the leadership of Music Director Peter Oundjian, the TSO is committed to innovative programming and showcases a roster of distinguished guest artists and conductors. In addition to performances, the TSO serves the community with one of the largest music education outreach programmes in Canada, connecting students throughout Ontario with acclaimed curriculum-based programming. tso.ca

WARM UP TO THE MUSIC OF MOZART

2011-12-21T15:09:00.000-08:00

TSO Presents Mozart@256, January 11 – 22, 2012.
December 7, 2011 – This winter, warm up to the music of Mozart with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Mozart@256 Festival, in performance January 11 – 22, 2012. Mozart was born 256 years ago this January and he endures as one of classical music’s most brilliant composers. With his range of musical expression and his mastery of all the musical forms of his time, this eighth annual TSO festival celebrating his music and anniversary is an audience favourite.

This year’s festival opens with a programme including both the first and last symphonies that Mozart wrote (January 12, 2012). This concert highlights the composer’s precocious beginnings in the realm of the symphonic form to his maturity as one of the most influential symphonic writers of the classical period. Pianist Leon Fleisher is both soloist and conductor in this programme where he is joined by his wife Katherine Jacobson Fleisher and former student Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear for Mozart’s Concerto for Three Pianos and Orchestra. On January 11, skip rush hour and enjoy an Afterworks series concert featuring the Concerto for Three Pianos and Orchestra and the Symphony No. 41.

On Saturday January 14 young music lovers are invited to join Mozart’s Magnificent Voyage in special performances just for kids. In this fun introduction to Mozart’s music and the symphony, an old travelling trunk serves as a magic chest that reveals an incredible journey back in time. 23 year-old conductor Joshua Weilersteinmakes his TSO début, leading the orchestra in excerpts from Mozart’s most important and engaging works.

TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian leads Mozart’s final and unfinished work, the Requiem, in performances on January 18, 19, 21 and 22. It is one of the most enigmatic pieces of music ever composed, because of the myths and controversies surrounding it and questions concerning how much of the piece was actually completed by Mozart before his death. Joining the TSO are soloistsSimone Osborne, Kelley O’Connor, Frédéric Antoun andTyler Duncan as well as the Amadeus Choir and Elmer Iseler Singers. Making his TSO début on this final Mozart@256 programme is Canadian teenage piano sensation Jan Lisiecki, performing the brooding intensity of Mozart’s Concerto No. 20.

TSO 90th Season Sponsor is BMO Financial Group.
Mozart@256 Series Sponsor is Invesco Ltd.
Young People’s Concert Series Sponsor is Desjardins Group.

About the TSO: Founded in 1922, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is one of Canada’s major cultural institutions and is internationally recognized as a leading orchestra. Under the leadership of Music Director Peter Oundjian, the TSO is committed to innovative programming and showcases a roster of distinguished guest artists and conductors. In addition to performances, the TSO serves the community with one of the largest music education outreach programmes in Canada, connecting students throughout Ontario with acclaimed curriculum-based programming. tso.ca

Journalist Gwen Ifill and 173 Voices Feature of Handel's Messiah on December 4

2011-12-21T14:53:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON—Journalist Gwen Ifill and a cast of gifted vocalists, instrumentalists and a 173- voice choir will be featured when Handel’s Messiah is presented at the newly-renovated Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, 1518 M Street N.W. on Sunday, December 4 at 5 p.m.

In celebration of Metropolitan’s l73rd Anniversary Season, 173 “Connectional” voices -- singers from various denominations, high school and college students, and the Metropolitan Arts Partners Program —will perform the beloved oratorio by George Frideric Handel. Metropolitan is the denomination’s National Cathedral of African Methodism.

Ms. Ifill, one of the nation’s leading journalists, is moderator and managing editor of "Washington Week" and senior correspondent for "The PBS NewsHour” and will serve as moderator. The presentation, which marks the beginning of the Advent Season, will be webcast for the first time.

Metropolitan’s presentation of this Christmas classic was begun 35 years ago during the pastorate of the late Bishop Robert Pruitt. In commemoration of this event, his son, Robert Pruitt II, will be acknowledged during the presentation. After the recital, he will sign copies of his book about his father, “It Is Well With My Soul,” and give 25% of sales to the church.

Rev. Ronald E. Braxton, senior pastor, said the entire Washington community is invited to this annual event. “Over the past decades, Metropolitan has helped to usher in this highlight of the Christmas season and we look forward to persons from across the Greater Washington area sharing this spectacular joy with us.”

Dr. Lester S. Green, Jr., who has performed with the Washington National Opera and is Minister of Music at Metropolitan A.M.E., will conduct the performance which will be accompanied by the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra will accompany.

Guelph Chamber Choir Presents Handel’s Messiah – And A Brand New CD!

2011-12-21T14:49:00.000-08:00

Guelph, Ontario – December 5, 2011 – The Guelph Chamber Choir’s 2011/2012 season continues with Handel’s Messiah at the River Run Centre on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 8 pm.

Handel's masterwork embodies the essence of Christmas in sublime music of birth, renewal and celebration.

Gerald Neufeld, conductor of the Guelph Chamber Choir says: “Messiah brings us the joy of the season through a tradition that has inspired generations of music lovers. Performed together with some of Canada’s best players on period instruments of Handel’s time, this is a unique performance that brings a freshness to the words and music.”

As in the past 3 years, tickets are rapidly selling out for this one night only presentation in the comfortable acoustics of The River Run Centre’s Main Theatre. Reserve your tickets soon to avoid disappointment.

The Guelph Chamber Choir is proud to have two of its members, Carolynne Godin and Chris Fischer, as soloists for this concert.

MESSIAH SOLOISTS:

Jennie Such, soprano, is known for the “glowing conviction” she brings to her performances. She has performed with opera companies and choral societies across Canada and has been featured in the Mirvish production of The Sound of Music as well as a film project based on Mozart’s Magic Flute.

Carolynne Godin, alto, has performed as a member and frequent soloist with the Elmer Iseler Singers before developing her current diverse career as soloist in both the concert and theatre worlds with numerous orchestras and choral societies across Canada and the U.S

Chris Fischer, tenor has earned a reputation as a flexible and intelligent interpreter of a great variety of roles in opera, oratorio and recital. He has appeared as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah more than eighty times, with choirs and orchestras throughout Ontario in addition to his work as a private music teacher and organist at Knox Presbyterian Church in Guelph.

Jason Nedecky, bass, has won acclaim for his expressive and meticulous artistry as a soloist in concert and recital engagements. This bilingual baritone has appeared with the International Bach Festival Toronto, Canadian Opera Company, and most recently was a soloist with Consort Caritatis in Mozart's Requiem on the Dalmatian Coast and in northern Italy.

Musica Viva Orchestra will be accompanying the performance on period instruments.

Single tickets are now available for only $30 each or four for $100. We encourage young adults to attend with $10 tickets for those 30 and under and only $5 for youth with the popular eyeGO programme. Remaining tickets are available through the River Run Centre by calling 519-763-3000 or online at www.riverrun.ca .

Special thanks go out to our evening’s sponsors, John and Barbara Wood.

NEW CD! “Remember”is a collection of memorable songs commemorating our Canadian history - and also some from the US. From songs written by Stan Rogers to a guest appearance by Guelph’s own James Gordon, the CD reminds us that remembering our folk roots is the foundation for the stories and myths of a people and of a nation.

CDs are available at our concert, from choir members and at the following Guelph retail outlets: Ground Floor Music, The Bookshelf, Wild Birds Unlimited, University Pharmacy and Prime Care Pharmacy (in the Village By The Arboretum).

Orchestra revives Handel’s original inspiration for “Messiah”

2011-12-21T14:43:00.000-08:00

American Baroque Orchestra uses original sources, rarely performed elements in Nov. 19 performance

New Haven, CT | The American Baroque Orchestra offers a fresh hearing of Handel’s classic “Messiah” on Saturday, November 19. The historically-informed performance is directed by Mark Bailey and will feature the stellar voices of theAmerican Baroque Singers. The concert takes place in the visually and acoustically beautiful Marquand Chapel at the Yale Divinity School.

Mark Bailey, a specialist in early music and the artistic director of American Baroque Orchestra (ABO), has assembled a rare version of “Messiah.” “This performance,” he says, “is a chance to explore Handel’s initial inspiration and genius in ‘Messiah’.”

Bailey points out that “most versions we hear have standardized the work.” ABO, in contrast, looks to Handel’s handwritten manuscript and the copy used to conduct the premiere in 1742. The performance on November 19th will use “some of the alternate versions of the arias and duets that are less often sung in concert.” It’s like a director’s cut.
The ensemble further adds vitality through exciting ornamentation, notes inégales(slightly swung rhythms), and other hallmarks of what Bailey calls “stylistic fidelity.”
“The result,” says Bailey, is a “Messiah” that sounds “fresh, intimate, multi-layered, and energized.”

The selection of arias and choruses aligns around a central theme. This is a version of “Messiah” created for the Christmas season, though it was originally performed at Easter-time.

The American Baroque Orchestra (ABO), a first-rate period instrumental ensemble, has been active in New Haven and beyond for several years and was officially established last year. Bailey also directs its companion vocal ensemble, American Baroque Singers, which enjoyed a successful debut in October and in this concert will be joined by the trebles of St. Paul’s Choir (Fairfield).

The November 19th concert begins at 7:30 pm in Marquand Chapel, located at 409 Prospect Street in New Haven. Parking is available on site.

Advance tickets are $18 general admission, $35 for preferred patron seating, and are available at americanbaroqueorchestra.com/concerts. At the door, general admission tickets are $20, and student tickets are available on a pay-as-you-can basis. Door sales are cash and check only.

For more information, visit americanbaroqueorchestra.com.

About the Performers

The American Baroque Orchestra (ABO) is a first-rate period instrumental ensemble filled with extraordinary talent. Under the direction of Mark Bailey, its superior musicians perform great musical works with energy, depth, ingenuity, and historical insight. By enlivening education about baroque performance, ABO fulfills its mission to build vibrant and meaningful connections between listeners and musical repertoire. The genesis of the ensemble dates to the 2004–2005 season, and ABO enjoyed its first official season in 2010–2011. The ensemble displays an innovative respect for music and its history though discovery, collaboration, and education.

Mark Bailey, the artistic director of American Baroque Orchestra, extensively leads and performs music of the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries, with particular focus on Slavic instrumental and vocal repertoire. He has been artistic director of the Yale Russian Chorus since 1995 and frequently guest-conducts ensembles such as Cappella Romana and Pro Coro Canada, which will soon release “The Heart of Kiev,” a recording of choral works by baroque and classical Slavic composers under Mr. Bailey’s direction. He frequently lectures on the topic of Slavic music and period performance practice at major colleges and universities, as well as at venues such as Lincoln Center. His transcriptions and arrangements of Slavic baroque music are performed extensively, most recently by Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in their season opener. Mr. Bailey also plays baroque viola and coaches singers and instrumentalists in period style, technique, and ornamentation.

Go for Baroque this Christmas!

2011-12-21T14:36:00.000-08:00

Baroque music is a style of Western Classical music from the 17th and 18th Centuries that, with its strong beat, complex rhythms and beautiful harmonies invariably stimulates the brain, captivates listeners and mesmerises audiences.
Undoubtedly the most famous Baroque masterpiece is Messiah, omposed by George Frideric Handel in 742 and it is one of the most popular of all he sacred Oratorio repertoire. Many people relate strongly to the Hallelujah chorus and often feel that Christmas isn’t quite complete without their annual “fix” of Handel.
Hastings fans of Baroque choral music will be delighted to learn that on the first weekend in December this stunning music will be performed in Port Macquarie’s Baptist Church (McIntyre Close) by Hastings Choristers’ Cantorus Choir accompanied by Heather Moen-Boyd on Pipe Organ.
Cantorus is a large, mixed voice Community Choir that has been delighting audiences for 21 years with regular high quality concerts and its pursuit of choral excellence. Cantorus sings in four sections being Soprano, Contralto, Tenor and Bass and, within the 60 voice group, is a small ensemble Ex Audi (‘listen to us’) as well as the female ensemble, Cantabile.
The concert program on 3 & 4 December consists mainly of Messiah choruses with some recitative and solo work from talented singers who are part of the choir. Guest organist Heather Moen-Boyd has performed with Hastings Choristers on several occasions and returns to again thrill audiences with her amazing talent on the beautiful organ and wonderful acoustics of the Baptist Church.
Musical Director Robyn Ryan is thrilled with the sound of Cantorus: “They’ve never sounded better –all working so hard and I can guarantee these two concerts will be very exciting indeed. In fact, Messiah is absolutely NOT to be missed – a great opportunity to start December with some swoon material!” With such well known music on offering these concerts are sure to sell out quickly so don’t delay purchasing your tickets from the Glasshouse Box Office for Saturday 3 December at 8 pm (doors open 7.15pm) or Sunday 4 December at 2 pm (doors open 1.15 pm). There is a pre-concert introduction 15 minutes prior to each concert to ‘set the scene’. Messiah is a very special spiritual celebration and one that should be enjoyed by families and friends as we enter the festive season.

Raymond Gubbay and the Royal Albert Hall present AIDA

2011-12-21T14:19:00.000-08:00

20 October 2011

Raymond Gubbay and the Royal Albert Hall present AIDA

• Casting announced for new production of Verdi’s operatic masterpiece at the Royal Albert Hall in February 2012

• Chiara Taigi, Claire Rutter, Catrin Aur share title role, alongside Marc Heller, Joseph Wolverton and Jonathan Stoughton

• Staged in-the-round in spectacular Ancient Egyptian setting

• From the producers of the hugely successful Madam Butterfly, which sold its 300,000th ticket this year

Hot on the heels of the huge success of the fifth revival of their smash-hit success production of Madam Butterfly in a water-filled Royal Albert Hall, Raymond Gubbay and the Royal Albert Hall today announced the cast for a brand new production of Verdi’s AIDA, with an exciting new creative team, in the Royal Albert Hall in February 2012.

This epic work explores the devastating consequences of a classic love triangle between Aida, the Ethiopian slave girl, the King’s daughter, Amneris, and Captain of the Guard, Radames. Culminating with the final entombment as the opera draws to its tragic close, this intense drama gave Verdi the perfect opportunity to compose some of his most poignant arias and powerful music.

Italian soprano Chiara Taigi will play the lead role of the slave girl Aida. Taigi has played lead roles for some of the world’s leading conductors including Riccardo Muti (Otello) and Claudio Abbado (Simon Boccanegra), and has performed at La Scala and the Teatro dell’Opera in Rome. She also appeared at the Cortona Festival under Antonio Pappano.

Sharing the role of Aida with Chiara Taigi will be English singer Claire Rutter, who has recently sung Norma and Tosca for Grange Park Opera, and the Welsh soprano Catrin Aur.

Marc Heller will play Radames opposite Chiara Taigi. Heller has appeared at major opera houses across the United States and Europe, including the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, and many others in such rôles as Rodolfo, Pinkerton, Cavaradossi, Duca di Mantova, Alfredo, Riccardo, Don José and others. He originated the pivotal role of Gao Jian-li in the Shanghai workshop of Tan Dun’s opera The First Emperor.

Sharing the role of Radames with Marc Heller will be the American tenor Joseph Wolverton andJonathan Stoughton.

AIDA received its world premiere in 1871, the same year that the Royal Albert Hall was opened by Queen Victoria.

An international cast will be directed by Stephen Medcalf with designs by Isabella Bywater.Andrew Greenwood will conduct the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with lighting design byAndrew Bridge and sound design by Bobby Aitken. The opera will be sung in Italian, with surtitles in English.

Producer Raymond Gubbay and the Royal Albert Hall’s co-production of Madam Butterfly in 2011 sold seventy thousand tickets, with 50% of those tickets booked by people who had not been to operas at the Royal Albert Hall before. The total number of tickets sold for this show since its premiere in 1998 has now risen more than three hundred thousand.

Aida will run from Thursday 23 February to Sunday 11 March 2012. Tickets from £21.50.

Press night will be held on Thursday 23 February at 7.30pm.

London 2012 announces CCTV as Paralympic Games Rights Holding Broadcaster in China

2011-12-17T10:18:00.000-08:00

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has announced that China Central Television (CCTV), the national TV station of the People´s Republic of China, will be the Chinese Rights Holding Broadcaster for the Paralympic Games next summer.

CCTV is China’s largest national broadcasting network, with 21 public channels and 19 Pay TV channels in operation. Accessible to more than one billion viewers and with programs reaching 140 countries and regions, CCTV will broadcast a minimum of 5 hours per day during the Paralympic Games. The broadcaster will also provide news coverage of the Games and additional broadcast hours through the national web-based TV broadcaster CNTV (China Network Television).

In 2008 CCTV was the rights holding broadcaster in China for the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Seb Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee said: “The eyes of the world will be focused on the Paralympic Games in London next year and we are delighted to announce CCTV as our broadcast partner in China. We will be working with CCTV to deliver a spectacular sporting showcase for the world’s greatest Paralympic athletes, and the power of the Games will help to challenge stereotypes and raise awareness of Paralympic sport. Following on from CCTV’s fantastic coverage of the Beijing Paralympic Games, this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Paralympic sport to the largest nation in the world.”

Xavier Gonzalez, CEO of the International Paralympic Committee, said: "After the superb success of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, it is excellent news that CCTV will be continuing its coverage of the Games next year in London. The reach of CCTV in China is phenomenal and their coverage of London 2012 will ensure that millions of people get to watch the Games."

Underworld announced as Music Directors for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games

2011-12-17T10:17:00.000-08:00

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today announced that British electronic music pioneers Underworld have been appointed Music Directors for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Team of Senior Creatives for London 2012 Ceremonies complete
Download images from the announcement here

The appointment completes the team of senior creatives that will lead the direction of the London 2012 Ceremonies.

Underworld duo Rick Smith and Karl Hyde will work alongside Oscar winning British filmmaker and producer Danny Boyle, Artistic Director of the Opening Ceremony and will be responsible for all the music in the three-hour ceremony taking place on 27 July next summer.

Underworld and Danny Boyle have enjoyed a long and diverse collaboration since Underworld’s track ‘Born Slippy’ featured in Boyle’s film ‘Trainspotting’. Over the following fifteen years the three developed a close relationship, with Smith and Hyde supplying specially created music for ‘A Life Less Ordinary’, ‘The Beach’ and co-scoring the 2007 sci-fi film ‘Sunshine’. In 2010 they came together again to work on the critically acclaimed National Theatre production of ‘Frankenstein’.

Danny Boyle said: ‘Appointing Underworld to direct the music in the Olympic Opening Ceremony is the final piece of the jigsaw for the team of leading British creatives who will deliver the ceremonies.

‘What’s interesting about working with them is how much broader their taste is than you might imagine. With ‘Frankenstein’ we really saw how far we could take a broader approach than we'd used together on the films.’

Rick Smith said: ‘The ‘Frankenstein’ project at the National Theatre was our opportunity to test ourselves as writers and music directors in a completely new environment - Danny asked us to take responsibility for every aspect of the sound and music and encouraged us to draw on a wide musical palette. It was a challenging piece of work with its roots in classic literature, that turned out to be the most fun I've ever had.’

Karl Hyde said: ‘We want to leave people with a musical memory of the show rather than a purely visual one. It's a great honour to be asked to do this and one we’re taking very seriously – it’s certainly not something we'll get the chance to do again.’

LOCOG has put in place a talented team of leading British creatives to lead the direction of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies.

In May 2010 Stephen Daldry, Mark Fisher, Hamish Hamilton, and Catherine Ugwu, were appointed as Executive Producers across all four Ceremonies, and Danny Boyle, was appointed as Artistic Director for the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

In February 2011 Take That’s creative director Kim Gavin was appointed Artistic Director for the Closing Ceremonies of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. He was joined by multi-award-winning stage and costume designer Es Devlin and Bond film composer and record producer David Arnold as part of the Closing Ceremonies team.

In June 2011 Jenny Sealey MBE and Bradley Hemmings were appointed as Artistic Directors of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The National Concert Hall Audiences Treated to a Season of Festive Concerts and more

2011-12-17T10:04:00.000-08:00

This Christmas, The National Concert Hall offers audiences the chance to create musical memories to last a lifetime with a broad range of Christmas concerts, musicals, screenings, choral classics and much more.

The National Concert Hall offers added value to customers wishing to make more of their visit with specially themed ‘Concert and Meal Deals’ on a variety of Christmas concerts this December.

For those who are simply looking for the ideal Christmas gift, The National Concert Hall offers a choice of: National Concert Hall gift cards from €20 or more, a National Concert Hall Friends membership from just €115 for the year, and membership to ‘Young Maestros’; the National Concert Hall’s music club for 3-15 year olds for just €50 per year

Highlights of the magical and festive season include:

The Irish premier of POLAR: a cinematic portrait of polar kingdoms on huge screen with live music by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra on Sunday 11 December 3pm/7pm. Featuring white blizzards, polar bears, humpback whales, blue oceans and vast wilderness of the Arctic and Antarctic regions… Polar is a breath taking and mesmerising cinematic experience for all the family.

Our Lady’s Choral Society together with the RTÉ Concert orchestra and Proinnsias O’Duinn perform Handel’s Messiah on Wednesday 14, Thursday 15 and Friday 16 December 8pm.

The Mozart Festival Orchestra in full period costume and Mozart Festival Chorus bring Carols by Candlelight to the National Concert Hall with soprano Anna Devin performing season classics in an evocative candle-lit style setting on Sunday 18 December at 3.15pm/8pm.

The National Concert Hall presents a traditional Christmas with ‘Soilse na Nollag’ featuring a series of lunchtime and evening concerts with Ronan Browne, Roisin Elsafty, Siobhan Armstrong, Cormac Breatnach and Martin Dunlea, Ciaran Tourish and Conor Byrne from 19-23 December.

Jazz and pop standards made famous by Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald more will be performed by singer Jessie Buckley and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra on Thursday 22 December 8pm.

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra presents the movie screening of The Wizard of Oz. The all-time classic will be accompanied by a live performance of the orchestral score with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by Neil Thomson on Friday 23 December at 3.30pm and 7.30pm.

Festival Productions presents the classic family musical Oliver at the National Concert Hall. Directed by Vivian Coates, this sensational production of the much-loved show takes the stage from December 27th to January 3rd featuring the all-Irish cast of over 100 singers, dancers and street urchins!

On 1 January at 2.30pm and 6.30pm the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra presents a programme of Strauss family favourites and operatic excerpts in ‘Vienna: City of Dreams’ themed concert with mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught and conductor Marco Zambelli heralding the New Year.

NATIONAL CONCERT HALL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR INCLUDE:

TITLE: RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra 2011/2012 Season: Vienna: City of Dreams
DATE: Sunday 1 January 2012 2.30pm/6.30pm
PRICE: €12, €21, €27, €33, €38 Concessions available
Featuring soprano Tara Erraught and conductor Marco Zambelli this programme includes classical favourites and extracts from Lehar’s The Merry Widow, Strauss’s The Chocolate Soldier, and Rudolf Sieczynski Vienna, City of My Dreams.
TITLE: Yeomen of the Guard, RTÉ Concert Orchestra
DATE: Friday 6 January 8pm
PRICE: €11, €22, €27, €33, €38
The RTÉ Concert Orchestra brings you one of the best-loved of all the Gilbert & Sullivan opers, Yeomen of the Guard. Cast includes Simon Butteriss and Sarah Fox. John Wilson, conductor.
TITLE: Finbar Wright Celebrates Little Christmas!
DATE: Thursday 5 January 8pm
PRICE: €32.50, €35 (Choir Balcony €20)
Join Ireland’s best loved popular entertainer and award-winning recording artist for a glorious concert where he will be joined by an array of accomplished musicians to help celebrate Little Christmas Eve.
TITLE: The Film Music of Dimitri Tiomkin, RTÉ Concert Orchestra
DATE: Thursday 12 January 8pm
PRICE: €11, €22, €27, €33, €38
One of the giants of Hollywood movie music, Dimitri Tiomkin has picked up twenty two Academy Award nominations, winning four Oscars and an array of Golden Globes. He produced some of the most unforgettable film scores of our time to include: Dial M for Murder, High Noon, The Alamo and The Guns of Navarone.
TITLE: Waltons World Masters – Ana Moura
DATE: Thursday 19 January 8pm
PRICE: €24, €30, €36 (Choir Balcony €16)
Fado’s brightest young star Ana Moura brings her luxuriant voice and passionate stage presence to The National Concert Hall for an evening of evocative Portuguese blues music. Come and be captivated by a delectably sensual musical journey.
TITLE: Johann Strauss Gala
DATE: Sat. 28 January 3.15pm/8pm and Sun. 29 January 3.15pm
PRICE: €35.50, €43.50, €46.50 (Choir Balcony €24.50)
Waltz back in time with the Johann Strauss Orchestra, soprano Amy Freston and Johann Strauss Dancers in glorious costumes of the period.
TITLE: Stephen Triffit performs Sinatra’s Live at the Sands Concert
DATE: Saturday 21 January 8pm
PRICE: €34.50, €39.50 (Choir Balcony €25)
Stephen Triffitt, one of the greatest Sinatra impersonators, brings his inimitable style together with his 17-piece orchestra to The National Concert Hall to perform a show featuring all of Frank Sinatra’s biggest hits including Come Fly with Me, New York, New York and much more.
TITLE: KODO: Japanese Drummers
DATE: Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 February 8pm
PRICE: €35, €45 (Choir Balcony €25)
Under the theme ‘One Earth’, Kodo brings the sound of the taiko to all corners of the globe as their music and message resonates with myriad cultures and ways of life. Exploring the limitless possibility of the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, Kodo is forging new directions for a vibrant living art-form.

Η Πολιτιστική Οργάνωση Νόστος της Αργεντινής έδωσε τα βραβεία του λογοτεχνικού διαγωνισμού 2011 με θέμα “Μάρμαρα του Παρθενώνα. Ιστορία μίας κλοπής ή η κλοπή της Ιστορίας;”

2011-12-16T15:19:00.000-08:00

Ο διαγωνισμός διοργανώθηκε από την Ελληνική Πολιτιστική Οργάνωση Νόστος και την Ένωση Λογοτεχνών της Αργεντινής.

Η Χριστίνα Τσαρδίκου ο Δημήτρης Παντερμαλής
και ο Παναγιώτης Καρούσος

Αθήνα 16 Δεκεμβρίου. Στο Μουσείο της Ακρόπολης πραγματοποιήθηκε με μεγάλη επιτυχία η απονομή των βραβείων του διεθνούς διαγωνισμού την Ελληνική Πολιτιστική Οργάνωση Νόστος και την Ένωση Λογοτεχνών της Αργεντινής.

Δεξιά ο Πρέσβης της Αργεντινής στην Ελλάδα

Η Δόκτωρ Χριστίνα Τσαρδίκου πρόεδρος της Πολιτιστικής Οργάνωσης Νόστος της Αργεντινής που ήρθε ιδικά για την εκδήλωση με ένα επιτελείο της βουλής της Αργεντινής και τον πρέσβη της Αργεντινής στην Αθήνα παρουσίασε την σπουδαία εκδήλωση μέσα στην κατάμεστη αίθουσα τελετών του Μουσείου της Ακρόπολης. Η Δρ. Χριστίνα Τσαρδίκου ευχαρίστησε στην ομιλία της όλους τους βραβευθέντες, τους εκπροσώπους τόσο της βουλής των Ελλήνων όσο και της βουλής της Αργεντινής που συνέβαλλαν στην λαμπρή αυτή εκδήλωση του Ελληνισμού της διασποράς.

Ανάμεσα στους επισήμους που απένειμαν βραβεία ήταν ο αντιπρόεδρος της Βουλής των Ελλήνων Γρήγορης Νιότης, η Πέμη Ζούνη, η Άννα Νταλάρα, ο πρόεδρος της Εταιρείας Ελλήνων Λογοτεχνών Παύλος Ναθαναήλ, μαζί με τον ποιητή λογοτέχνη της Εταιρείας Ελλήνων Λογοτεχνών Τάσο Μακράτο, ο βουλευτής της Νέας Δημοκρατίας Κωστής Χατζηδάκης, ο πρόεδρος του μουσείου Δημήτρης Παντερμαλής και άλλοι.

Η Χριστίνα Τσαρδίκου με τον Παναγιώτη Καρούσο

Πάνω από 350 έργα, διηγήματα και ποιήματα στην ελληνική, ισπανική και αγγλική γλώσσα από Ελλάδα, Αργεντινή, Χιλή, Ουρουγουάη, Κύπρο, Ιταλία, Πολωνία, Γαλλία, Κύπρο, Μαλαισία, Περού, Αίγυπτο, Αμερική, Μεξικό και Ισπανία πήραν μέρος στον 3ο Λογοτεχνικό Διαγωνισμό με τίτλο “Μάρμαρα του Παρθενώνα. Ιστορία μίας κλοπής ή η κλοπή της Ιστορίας;” που διοργάνωσε η Ελληνική Πολιτιστική Οργάνωση Νόστος και η Ένωση Λογοτεχνών της Αργεντινής με τη στήριξη άλλων αξιόλογων φορέων και υπό την αιγίδα της Πρεσβείας της Ελλάδας στην Αργεντινή και της Εθνικής Γερουσίας της Αργεντινής.

Ακολουθεί το δελτίο τύπου με τα αποτελέσματα του 3 Διεθνούς Λογοτεχνικού διαγωνισμού: Η ΟΡΓΑΝΩΣΗ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΥ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΜΟΥ “ΝΟΣΤΟΣ” ΥΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΑΙΓΙΔΑ ΤΗΣ ΠΡΕΣΒΕΙΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΑΡΓΕΝΤΙΝΗ
ΣΕ ΣΥΝΕΡΓΑΣΙΑ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΕΝΩΣΗ ΛΟΓΟΤΕΧΝΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΑΡΓΕΝΤΙΝΗΣ, ΤΗΝ ΕΝΩΣΗ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΛΟΓΟΤΕΧΝΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΣΥΓΓΡΑΦΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΠΕΝΤΕ ΗΠΕΙΡΩΝ, ΤΗΝ ΔΙΑΣΠΟΡΙΚΗ ΛΟΓΟΤΕΧΝΙΚΗ ΣΤΟA THS ΑΥΣΤΡΑΛΙΑΣ ΤΟ ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΝΩΝ ΣΠΟΥΔΩΝ “ΦΩΤΙΟΣ ΜΑΛΛΕΡΟΣ”, ΤΟΥ ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΧΙΛΗΣ
ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΝΟΥΝ ΤΑ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΜΑΤΑ ΤΟΥ ΤΡΙΤΟΥ ΔΙΕΘΝΟΥΣ ΛΟΓΟΤΕΧΝΙΚΟΥ ΔΙΑΓΩΝΙΣΜΟΥ “ΜΑΡΜΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΡΘΕΝΩΝΑ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ ΜΙΑΣ ΚΛΟΠΗΣ Ή , Η ΚΛΟΠΗ ΤΗΣ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑΣ;”

Ο Παναγιώτης Καρούσος η Χριστίνα Τσαρδίκου
και η κόρη της Ραφαέλα

Με χαρά λάβαμε τις συμμετοχές για τον διεθνή λογοτεχνικό διαγωνισμό που προκήρυξαν και οργάνωσαν για τρίτη φορά, η Ελληνική Πολιτιστική Οργάνωση Νόστος και η Ένωση Λογοτεχνών της Αργεντινής, υπό την αιγίδα της Πρεσβείας της Ελλάδας στην Αργεντινή και την Εθνική Γερουσία της Αργεντινής και σε συνεργασία με αξιόλογους φορείς. Στο διαγωνισμό συμμετείχαν πάνω από 350 έργα, διηγήματα και ποιήματα στην ελληνική, ισπανική και αγγλική γλώσσα από Ελλάδα, Αργεντινή, Χιλή, Ουρουγουάη, Κύπρο, Ιταλία, Πολωνία, Γαλλία, Κύπρο, Μαλαισία, Περού, Αίγυπτο, Αμερική, Μεξικό και Ισπανία.

Τα βραβεία απονέμονται, σε βάση την απόφαση της κριτικής επιτροπής, ( Δ.Σ Ένωση Ελλήνων Λογοτεχνών και συγγραφέων των Πέντε Ηπείρων (Βαιος Φασουλας, Ελευθερία Μπέλμπα, Χριστίνα Τσαρδίκου), Διασπορική Λογοτεχνική Στοα (Ι.Γαριβάλδης), Ένωση Λογοτεχνών της Αργεντινής (Αντόνιο Λας Ερας ) και Δ.Σ. Ελληνικής Οργάνωσης Νόστος της Αργεντινής), ως εξής:

ΣΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΓΛΩΣΣΑ

Η Δόκτωρ Χριστίνα Τσαρδίκου

1 BRABEIO
(Βαθμολογία Άριστα 10/10)

«ΚΑΡΥΑΤΙΔΑ»

(ΜΑRINA KOMNINOU)
ΒΑΓΙΑ ΚΑΠΝΙΑ
(GREECE)

2 -ΒΡΑΒΕΙΟ
βαθμολογία 10/10

«ΤΟ ΠΕΝΘΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΣΕΛΗΝΗΣ» (ΚΑΛΛΙΟΠΗ ΒΑΛΛΙΑΝΟΥ) ΣΟΝΙΑ ΖΑΧΑΡΑΤΟΥ (GREECE)
«ΜΑΡΜΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΡΘΕΝΩΝΑ» (Η ΜΑΡΜΑΡΩΜΕΝΗ ΕΡΙΝΥΑ) ΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΉ ΝΕΥΡΟΚΟΠΛΗ(GREECE)

3-ΒΡΑΒΕΙΟ
βαθμολογία 10/10
«Ο ΙΕΡΟΣ ΧΟΡΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΚΑΡΥΑΤΙΔΩΝ»(Χαρά και Ζωή) Παρασκευή Κωστόπετρου και Βικτωρία Μακρή(Greece)

«ΕΝ ΟΥΡΑΝΟΙΣ ΤΗ ΞΑΝΘΗ ΜΕΡΑ» (Τόμας Μπρους, έβδομος κόμης του Ελγιν) Δημήτρης Δεσποτάκης (Greece)

4-ΒΡΑΒΕΙΟ
βαθμολογια 10/10

«ΜΙΑ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ ΘΑ ΣΑΣ ΠΩ…..ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΚΛΕΜΜΕΝΑ ΓΛΥΠΤΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΡΘΕΝΩΝΑ»(Ονειροπαρμένος) Γεώργιος Παύλου Γιακουμινάκης (Greece)

5 ΒΡΑΒΕΙΟ
βαθμολογία 10/10
«ΚΛΕΙΣΤΑ ΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΑ-ΑΓΑΠΗΜΕΝΗ ΜΟΥ» (εύχαρις) Καλφάκης Δημήτριος (ARGENTINA)

6 ΒΡΑΒΕΙΟ
βαθμολογία 10/10
«ΜΑΡΜΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΡΘΕΝΩΝΑ» (Χρήστος Αθανασίου) Χρήστος Μαραγκός(GREECE)

7 ΒΡΑΒΕΙΟ
βαθμολογια 10/10
«ΕΧΕΙΣ ΘΕΣΗ» (Πολυτροπος) Δήμητρα Καμαρίνου (GREECE)

Η Δόκτωρ Χριστίνα Τσαρδίκου
με τον γερουσιαστή της Αργεντινής

Διακριτικοί Έπαινοι
βαθμολογια 9/10

«ΤΟ ΜΟΝΟΠΑΤΙ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΑΣ» (Νίκος Κ.) Γεωργεδάκη Αντωνία (GREECE)
«ΝΟΣΤΑΛΓΙΑ ΔΥΟ ΑΙΩΝΩΝ» (Μιχάλης Θαλοροδόπουλος)Ιωάννης Γεωργικόπουλος (FRANCE)
«ΟΔΗ ΣΤΟΝ ΒΡΑΧΟ ΤΩΝ ΑΙΩΝΩΝ»(Καλλιστή) Ευαγγελία-Αγγελική Πεχλιβανίδου (GREECE)

Έπαινοι (θα εκδοθούν στην ανθολογία βραβευμένων έργων)

βαθμολογια 9/9

«ΚΑΤΑΚΡΑΥΓΗ» (Λέξις) Βαγγέλης Κυριακός (Greece)

«Ο ΠΟΝΟΚΈΦΑΛΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΔΙΕΥΘΥΝΤΗ» (Ζακυνθηνός) Αριστοτέλης Γ. Σακελλαρίου (MALAYSIA)

«ΤΑ ΦΥΛΑΚΙΣΜΕΝΑ ΜΝΗΜΕΙΑ» (Γεράσιμος Μηλιαρέσης) Γιώργος Κιβωτός(USA)

«ΤΟ ΟΡΑΜΑ»(Γιάννης Κόντης) Βασίλης Σεβδάλης(GREECE)

«ΤΑ ΜΑΡΜΑΡΑ…» (Καλοκαίρι) Χοτζας Δημήτριος(GREECE)

«Ο ΣΥΛΛΕΚΤΗς ΚΑΙ Ο ΓΕΡΟΝΤΑΣ» (Αλφα) Αλεξάνδρα Γούτα(GREECE)

«ΤΟ ΠΑΡΑΠΟΝΟΤΗΣ ΑΝΕΜΩΝΑΣ» (Διονύσιος Θερειανός) Παναγιώτης Ζιωτόπουλος(GREECE)

«Ο ΘΑΥΜΑΤΟΠΟΙΟΣ»(Τανταλος) Ελσα Κορνέτη(GREECE)

Ο Βασίλης Σεβδαλής κατά τη βράβευσή του

«ΜΑΡΜΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ…» (Μαρί Γεωργίου) Οδυσσεία Φίσκυλη (GREECE)

«ΟΠΟΥ Η ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ ΜΙΛΑΕΙ ΑΠΟ ΜΟΝΗ ΤΗΣ» Ελευθερία Ταξιδιού) Κωνσταντίνα Τυροβολά(GREECE)

«ΜΑΡΜΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΡΘΕΝΩΝΑ» (Αθηνά, φοιτήτρια) Γεωργία Κρητικού-Κωσταγιάννη(GREECE)

«Η ΄ΚΥΡΑ ‘ ΤΗΣ ΑΚΡΟΠΟΛΕΩΣ» (Ιωνα) Ιωάννης Απέργης(GREECE)

«ΜΑΡΜΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΡΘΕΝΩΝΑ…» (Γιάννης Σκιάς) Ιωάννης Δημητρίου(GREECE)

«ΕΠΙΣΤΟΛΗ»(Ιλιας) Λιλιανό Δρίτσα-Τσιουλακη(GREECE)

«Ο ΒΡΑΧΟΣ» (Ιδαιον) Στυλιανός Βισκαδουράκης(GREECE)

«ΔΡΑΚΟΝΙΚΟΛΗΣ»(Δρακονικολής) Νικόλαος Κουραβάνας(GREECE)

«ΠΡΟΓΟΝΙΚΕΣ ΜΝΗΜΕΣ(Επιούσιος)Χρήστος Μαυρίκιος(GREECE)

«Η ΚΛΟΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΕΡΩΤΑ» (Καρολος) Σταύρος Καρακωνσταντακης(CYPRUS)

«ΜΑΡΜΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΡΘΕΝΩΝΑ…(Διων) Κώστα Πουλακα(CYPRUS)

«ΜΑΡΜΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΡΘΕΝΩΝΑ…(Καλλιστώ Ελληνίς) Δέσποινα Δημότση(GREECE)

Ειδικό βραβείο (ανήλικες)

1-     «ΜΙΑ ΑΣΥΛΛΗΠΤΗ ΚΛΟΠΗ» (Δικαιοκρίτος) Μανώλης Δικαιάκος (GREECE)
2-     «ΜΑΡΜΑΡΟΣΚΟΝΗ» (Αλέξης Μαρκου) Ανδρεας Χωράκης(GREECE)
3-     «ΤΟ ΕΡΩΤΗΜΑ» (Δαρθείος Νίκος) Νικόλαος Ξιφαράς(GREECE)

RESULTADOS DEL CERTAMEN EN ESPAÑOL

1-PRIMER PREMIO

“LOS MÁRMOLES DE ELGIN, EL EXPOLIO DE GRECIA”—seudònimo: ARSINOE
Maria del Pilar Paz Mañoso
(SPAIN)

2 -SEGUNDO PREMIO

“LA LAGRIMA DE MÁRMOL” – seudónimo ELPIDA INFINITA
Marta Silvia Dios Sanz
(GREECE)

3-TERCER PREMIO

“EL DESAFIO DE LA CIVILIZACIÓN”- seudónimo TABETOR
Hector Manuel Taboada
(ARGENTINA)

MENCIONES

” EL RAPTO” –(Ariadna) Ana Luisa Kohon Lecaros ( CHILE)
“LAS COLINAS SAGRADAS”‘(Leonidas) Tasos Damianòs (ARGENTINA)

ΣΤΗΝ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΗ ΓΛΩΣΣΑ

Ο Βασίλης Σεβδαλής

WINNER: 1st. Prize:
“ODE TO THE PARTHENON” (Your expatriated admirer)
Dimitrios Trigonis ( USA)

2nd Prize:
“ESTIMATION OF THOMAS ELGIN´S ACTIVITY FROM THE LITERARY POINT OF VIEW”
(Alexander Magnus) Wanda Amarantidou ( Poland)

Θερμά συγχαρητήρια!
Felicitaciones!
Congratulations!

Δρ. Χριστινα Τσαρδίκου (Προεδρος Νοστος)
Δρ. Αντονιο Λας Ερας (Δ.Σ. Ενωση Λογοτεχνων Αργεντινης)

Asociación Cultural Helénica Nostos
Avda. Belgrano 615 8vo J CAPITAL
Telfax 00541146394765 and 005491160991638
email: nostosargentina@hotmail.com
URL: www.nostosonline.gr y www.nostosdiaspora.gr

Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF) - SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN

2011-12-15T10:46:00.000-08:00

Orpheus Award statuette designed by Miltos Papastergiou.

2012 LAGFF CALL FOR ENTRIES

Filmmakers are invited to submit their features, documentaries and shorts for consideration to the 2012 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF), to be held May 31 – June 3, 2012 in Los Angeles.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible films include works by Greek filmmakers and filmmakers of Greek descent worldwide; films about Greece; Greek and Cypriot productions or co-productions; as well as films by emerging US and local filmmakers with a prevalent Greek theme.

Films by Greek directors, writers, and producers; films by actors in starring roles; co-directors, co-writers and co-producers are also eligible. Must be credited.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
2012 submission deadlines:
Regular: February 24
Late: March 9

All non-English films must have English subtitles.
More than one film may be submitted, but each must be submitted on a separate DVD (NTSC or PAL region free) screener and accompanied by separate submission form, entry fee, and printed payment receipt.
DVD submissions should be clearly marked, including the film title (in English,) running time, format and contact information. Please indicate the country of origin. Avoid sticker labels.
Submission DVDs will not be returned.
Entry fee is non-refundable and required at the time of submission.
Please pay the entry fee by Paypal or through Withoutabox.com. Do not send cash or check.
Feature, documentary and short film submissions must have been completed within three years prior to June 2012 (no earlier than January 2009).
Films submitted to LAGFF 2011 which were not accepted, provided they were completed no earlier than January 2009, may be resubmitted. New entry fee and completed submission form are required.
It is strongly recommended that films submitted have a film trailer posted online. Films accepted into the festival must have trailer posted online. The trailer must have English subtitles.

FILM CATEGORIES
Feature film: 60 min and over
Feature documentary film: 45 min and over
Short film: under 60 min
Short documentary film: under 45 min

ORPHEUS AWARDS
Best Fiction Feature Film
Best Documentary Film
Best Short Film
Audience Choice
Special Jury Award

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS: PLEASE SEE APPLICATION
If your film is selected for exhibition, you must provide LAGFF with:

Subtitled copy of the selected film in either 35mm or DigiBeta (NTSC/PAL,) for exhibition.
12 DVD screeners (NTSC) for features and 7 DVD screeners (NTSC) for shorts.
Photo stills in electronic form.
Complete list of credits (cast & crew)
Biography and filmography of the submitting filmmaker.
Posters/postcards (if applicable)
Trailer in beta sp, digibeta, or mpeg format (if applicable).

ENTRY FEES

Feature film (60 minutes or over), feature documentary film (45 minutes or over):
REGULAR: REGULAR: $45 by February 24/ $50 by March 9, 2012
STUDENT RATE: $25 by February 24, 2011 / $30 by March 9, 2012

Short film (less than 60 min) and short documentary film (less than 45 min):
REGULAR: $35 by February 24 / $40 by March 9, 2012
STUDENT: $20 by February 24 / $25 by March 9, 2012

Option 1: WITHOUTABOX

Option 2: PAYPAL + submission form (Click to download the form).

LAGFF RECEPTION FOR OLYMPIA DUKAKIS AT THE HOME OF MARIANNE AND DEAN METROPOULOS

2011-12-15T10:36:00.000-08:00

Hosts Dean & Marianne Metropoulos with Olympia Dukakis

On Saturday, Novemebr 19, 2011, Los Angeles Greek Film Festival patrons enjoyed an afternoon reception with acclaimed actress, Olympia Dukakis, at the Beverly Hills home of Marianne and Dean Metropoulos.

Fox's Filmed Entertainment co-chairman

and CEO Jim Gianopulos

Guests included Fox Filmed Entertainment Co-Chairman/CEO Jim Gianopulos; Consul General of Greece Elisabeth Fotiadou; Consul General of Cyprus Andreas Kyprianides; Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Aida Takla-O'Reilly; Sponsor, Earth Friendly Products' Vivian Panou; Greek actors Alexis Georgoulis and Stratos Tzortzoglou; Award-winning music producer Desmond Child. Guests also included Board Members and filmmakers.

LAGFF Founders Ersi Danou and Angeliki Giannakopoulos with Olympia Dukakis, who spoke about her cultural roots and her commitment to independent filmmakers

Olympia Dukakis spoke of her father and how proud he would be to see her among accomplished Greeks in the arts and entertainment. She is in Los Angeles, starring in the play VIGIL at the Mark taper Forum until December 18.

LAGFF 2012 Executive Director Craig Prater with Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Aida Takla-O'Riley

The reception also provided the opportunity to introduce LAGFF's new Executive Director, Craig Prater. "I'm looking forward to working with all of you," said Prater. "And let's continue promoting Greek Cinema in Hollywood!"

The afternoon included wines by Athenee Importers and a selection of cheeses by Kerrygold - both 2011 LAGFF sponsors. Greek style tappas appetizers were provided by Joyce Kokkinides of Your Way Catering.

(Left) Vivian Panou of Earth Friendly Products
with Olympia Dukakis

To view the full album of photos from the reception, please

click here. For more information on upcoming LAGFF events, please visitwww.lagff.org .

(Below) Ms. Dukakis with filmmakers Evangelo & George Giovannis

All photographs courtesy of LAGFF's Maria Martin.