2 minute read
Opera & Ballet
Having had to cancel Film Night in June for health reasons, I will start the new quarter by re-scheduling the magnificent film “Oscar Wilde”.
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This biographical film based on the life of one of the most intelligent, witty, controversial characters in British history, leaves me grasping for words to do it justice – so I have left this task to the critics…
The Los Angeles Times wrote – “This deeply moving Wilde is likely to remain the definitive screen treatment of Oscar Wilde for years to come ... the roles require a baring of souls, and Fry and Law are triumphant ...”
The New York Times wrote, “Playing the large dandyish writer with obvious gusto, Stephen Fry looks uncannily like Wilde and presents an edgy mixture of superciliousness and vulnerability.”
The San Francisco Examiner said the film “benefits from its lush period costumes and settings but gains even more from an accomplished cast of British film and stage actors. Stephen Fry slips right under the skin of the title character and presents a multidimensional portrait of a complex man.”
“Oscar Wilde” will be screened in the Ballroom on Thursday 4th August at 6pm.
“Modigliani is the true story of an extraordinary Italian artist who lived in Montparnasse, Paris at turn of the 20th century, in the crazy era of the impressionist artists, in the world that shaped Picasso, Vlamink, Utrillo and Cezanne.
The Italian painter Modigliani developed a style all of his own. Today his graceful portraits and lush nudes at once evoke his name, but during his brief tumultuous life, few apart from his fellow artists, were aware of his astonishing talent. Modigliani had to struggle against poverty and chronic ill health, eventually dying of tuberculosis and excesses of drink at the age of 35.
The film follows his relationship with Jeanne Hébuterne who loved him so much, she could not live without him, and because of that made inhuman sacrifices.
It is a story of creativity and destruction, of art and love.
Live Concert - “THE HISTORY OF MUSIC”
with Soprano Mariah Gichu and Tenor David Mwangi.
For this date I am planning a live concert with the brilliant soprano Mariah Gichu who performed in the concert “DISCOVERIES”. This time, she will be partnered by David Mwangi, the extraordinarily talented tenor, who sang in “THE BEST OF GHETTO CLASSICS.” Since then he has been undergoing extensive musical training and I cannot wait to hear him in his new repertoire.
My idea of an original kind of concert would be “THE HISTORY OF MUSIC” - from Baroque to Rock”, but it is still early days to make firm promises.
However, Mariah and David will be performing something nice Live in the Ballroom on Tuesday 27th September at 6pm.
