Latest news with #RoyalBallet&Opera
Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Watch: Pro-Palestinian protest prompts scuffle onstage at Royal Opera House in London
A performer at the Royal Opera House in London sparked controversy by unfurling a Palestinian flag on stage during the curtain call of 'Il Trovatore' on Saturday night. The incident led to a brief scuffle as an official attempted to remove the flag, but the performer held his ground, refusing to let go. Images and Videos shared online show the performer standing with the flag across his chest while the lead singers faced the audience. The audience was applauding as the lead singers took their bows, seemingly unaware of the commotion unfolding behind them. WATCH the moment a cast member battles to unfurl a Palestinian flag in a protest at the Royal Opera House. These virtue signalers are everywhere. — I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) July 20, 2025 When asked about potential disciplinary action against the performer, the opera company declined to comment, according to a report by the Associated Press (AP). The incident occurred during the season's final performance of Giuseppe Verdi's 'Il Trovatore,' which translates to 'The Troubadour.' Director Adele Thomas' production offers a reinterpretation of the story, focusing on themes of desire and an all-consuming curse. In a later statement, the opera company emphasized their commitment to political impartiality, saying, 'The display of the flag was spontaneous and unauthorized action by the artist. It was not approved by the Royal Ballet & Opera and is not in line with our commitment to political impartiality.'
Winnipeg Free Press
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pro-Palestinian protest prompts scuffle onstage at Royal Opera House in London
LONDON (AP) — A performer holding a Palestinian flag touched off a brief scuffle on stage at the Royal Opera House in London on Saturday night as cast members were taking their bows following the season's final performance of 'Il Trovatore.' Images posted on social media show what appears to be a member of the chorus holding the unfurled flag in front of his chest while the lead singers bask in the audience's applause. After a few moments, someone backstage attempts to grab the flag, but the performer holds onto the banner and snaps back into place. Singers were taking their bows after the end of the opera by Giuseppe Verdi. Director Adele Thomas' production reinterprets the story of desire and an all-consuming curse, the opera said. 'The display of the flag was spontaneous and unauthorized action by the artist,' the opera company told the BBC. 'It was not approved by the Royal Ballet & Opera and is not in line with our commitment to political impartiality.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
In ‘Semele,' Heartbreak Is Dressed Up in Lace and Diamonds
— No opera is short of heartbreak, but in 'Semele,' sorrow is wrapped in beautiful fabrics. The Handel opera from 1744 has been reimagined by Oliver Mears, the director of opera at the Royal Ballet & Opera, with a twist — this time it's set between the '60s and '70s. More from WWD Skeletons, Tears and Lobsters: Schiaparelli Exhibition to Open in 2026 Painter Nancy Cadogan Breathes Life Into Fallen Trees in Show at London's Garden Museum Bonhams to Auction 'Downton Abbey' Costumes, Props Ahead of Final Film Release The story follows Semele, played by Pretty Yende, who works for Jupiter and his wife Juno in their palatial house. She falls in love with Jupiter and is further seduced by his powers — he's in disguise, for he is a god. Semele grows weary of Jupiter and asks him to reveal himself to her, to which he declines because it would result in her death. Jupiter showers her in materialistic clothes and jewelry, but Semele persists by pressing for answers. Her wardrobe is unlike the French rags of an opera. Semele is dressed up in a silk, pale pink off-the-shoulder dress with black roses; a jacquard shift dress in white and lilac, and a white wedding dress decorated with small white flowers. Her most powerful and touching costumes, however, are her silk nightie that she rots in bed in and Jupiter's white shirt that she wraps around herself as she yearns for him. 'We wanted the opera to have this very dark, but kind of strange atmosphere with the reds and pinks,' said costume designer Annemarie Woods. She wanted the costumes to allude to death as a premonition of Semele's future, where she's burnt alive by Jupiter and Juno in the chimney. 'Semele starts off as a staff member at the house and then she becomes glamorous. Her hair and clothes become more glamorous. She's becoming this taken-care-of woman, but it's not making her happy. The sadder she becomes, the more decorated she is,' said Woods. The costume designer pored over photography books and images from the '60s to help her shape Semele's world. She also looked at the costumes of 'Mad Men' for Jupiter's sharp tailored suits that add to his charmingly, toxic demeanor. '[The costumes are] absolutely crucial because we wanted to make a show about power and hierarchy, and costumes are the main way to tell that story on stage — from the servants in Jupiter's household to Jupiter and Juno himself,' said Mears, who has been collaborating with Woods for 14 years. 'The principal characters look decadent and dark and sexy, to convey so much of the show's essential atmosphere, as well as their own psychologies,' he added. The collaboration between Mears and Woods was second nature. 'We know exactly what sort of shows we like to make. [We] have very similar aesthetics and senses of humor, and very similar views on what's important in the theater. I trust her completely — especially if she feels something's not working yet,' said Mears. The pair started working on 'Semele' three years ago, but it only hit the stage this year with its debut at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris in February. Woods has seen her fair share of tragedies on stage. She's worked on 'Orfeo,' 'Il Trovatore' and 'The Rape of Lucretia,' but found 'Semele' to be even more brutal. 'All the women always die in opera, that's a big criticism, but Semele has a lot to do with real female stories. When you die of a broken heart, that's kind of silly, but in this story, she's murdered and it's so sad because she doesn't even put up a fight. She's been destroyed by this very wealthy man and his wife,' she said. In the end, there's nothing left of Semele — not her pretty frocks or diamond necklaces — only her ashes and lessons in heartbreak. Best of WWD Fashion Meets Cinema: Jaws 50th Anniversary and Calvin Klein Spring 2019 RTW Show Retro Glamour: Giorgio Di Sant'Angelo's Summer 1973 Chic Straw Hat Statement The Story Behind Jackie Kennedy's Cartier Watch: A Royal Gift With 'Traces and Clues of Her Life' Revealed
Daily Mirror
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Victoria Beckham breaks cover with Harper as Brooklyn's snub plunges new depths
Brooklyn Beckham has failed to publicly congratulate his dad on his knighthood after saying he 'chooses' his wife Nicola amid the family feud Victoria Beckham has been seen for the first time since her husband was knighted in the King's Birthday Honours. The former Spice Girl singer turned fashion designer, 51, took daughter Harper on a girls' night at the ballet. Victoria, who is now Lady Beckham, attended the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland ballet in London with her Harper. The mum described their trip as a 'special night' as she and Harper, 13, took photos in the their box at the Royal Ballet & Opera house. The sweet mother and daughter trip came hours after dad David was made a Sir for his services to sport and charity. In a post shared on Saturday on Instagram, Lady Beckham said: 'You've always been my knight in shining armour, but now it's official. Sir @davidbeckham!!! What an honour, I couldn't be prouder of you. Your dedication to the things that matter most — your country, your work, your passion, and most of all, your family — has never wavered. The way you've touched so many lives over the years with kindness and humility speaks volumes about the man you are and continues to inspire us everyday. 'But above all else, I'm so, so proud to call you mine. I love you so much xxxx.' The football star, who was formerly appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003, responded to the post by expressing his love for his family, mentioning each of his children and adding 'I love you all'. David has since been inundated with congratulations from his famous friends and former teammates from Gordon Ramsey to Gary Neville. But one person notably absent from the celebrations has been his eldest son Brooklyn. Brooklyn is said to be embroiled in a feud with his family after moving to Los Angeles with wife Nicola Peltz. He was also not seen at his dad's 50th birthday celebrations last month. The eldest of the Beckham boys alarmed fans when he posted that he was 'choosing wife Nicola' and described her as his 'whole world '. It has since been reported that Brooklyn has 'cut all ties' with the Beckhams and only learned of his dad's knighthood when he read about it in the press. Despite the fallout, David appeared to offer an olive branch to his son when he said he wanted to share the emotional moment with his family. In a statement to the PA News Agency, Sir David said: 'Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour. 'To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career and literally a boyhood dream come true. 'Off the pitch I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Britain around the world and work with incredible organisations that are supporting communities in need and inspiring the next generation. 'I'm so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I'm grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment. 'It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I'm immensely proud and it's such an emotional moment for me to share with my family.'
