Though Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona, there is something refreshing about hearing it sung in operatic French. Luckily for Vancouverites, the Vancouver Opera is currently presenting Charles Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette until December 3.
Photo credit: Tim Matheson for Vancouver Opera
I’ve seen at least 20 versions this on stage or on film since I was a pre-teen. In fact, I was once obsessed – there is nothing more romantic and tragic to a young girl than the classic story of star-crossed lovers.
I have to say that this production is now the best one I’ve seen on stage (my favourite film adaptation is Baz Luhrmann’s starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes). The voices are rich, the set is gorgeous, and it’s all in French, which is way better, it seems, to hear it in, than in English.
Soprano Simone Obsborne (making her first appearance at VO) was wonderful as Juliette and tenor Gordon Gietz was so exceptional. The only complaint I have is his costume, which is a pair of tights and a cod piece. It was very distracting as my eyes would only wander to one place (my mother complained about this same thing – we couldn’t help it!). I just didn’t get it – he was the only one out of the men with a costume like that and I think it took away from his performance because he’s an exceptional singer and performer.
Other than that, it was glorious and I adored Julie Boulianne in the male role of Roméo’s page Stéphano and Antoine Bélanger as Tybalt.
The Vancouver Opera presents Roméo et Juliette tonight and Saturday at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are still available online (and at the box office) for both shows.
Theatres around town are getting in the holiday spirit with special screenings of holiday classics. The Vancouver International Film Festival’s Vancity Theatre on Seymour at Davie will be presenting features throughout December.
Miracle on 34th Street
Date: Sunday, December 4, 2011
Time: 3:00pm and 5:00pm
Some Like It Hot
Date: Saturday, December 17, 2011
Time: 8:30pm
Date: Sunday, December 18, 2011
Time: 3:00pm
The Misfits
Date: Sunday, December 18, 2011
Time: 5:15pm
It’s A Wonderful Life
Date: Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Date: Thursday, December 22, 2011
Time: 6:30pm daily
A Christmas Carol
Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2011
Time: 6:30pm
Date: Thursday, December 23, 2011
Time: 6:00pm
Cinderella
Date: Friday, December 23 & Saturday, December 24, 2011
Date: Monday, December 26 & Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Time: 3:00pm daily
The Vancity Theatre is very comfortable with wide chairs, velveted arm rests, cup holders, and a full concession. Admission is $11 for adults $9 for VIFF members and $7 for VIFF Premium members. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office. Children get in free when you bring a non-perishable item for donation to the Food Bank.
Related Post: You can also catch midnight screenings this month at the Rio Theatre in East Vancouver.
This holiday season’s most anticipated film New Year’s Eve – is scheduled for release across Canada December 9th and I am giving my readers the chance to win passes to the advance screening.
The film’s all-star cast includes Academy Award® winner Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Academy Award® nominee Abigail Breslin, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, two-time Academy Award® winner Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Hector Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Academy Award® nominee Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, two-time Academy Award® winner Hilary Swank and Sofia Vergara. To learn more, please visit the official website.
“New Year’s Eve” celebrates love, hope, forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts, with intertwining stories told amidst the pulse and promise of New York City on the most dazzling night of the year.
Miss604.com has 15 double passes to the Vancouver Advance Screening of New Year’s Eve, taking place December 7th at Scotiabank Theatre. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post with a New Year’s resolution you’ve made before (that was a success or a failure) (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw all 15 winners (who can each bring a guest) at 7:00pm on Sunday, December 4, 2011. Winners will be given instructions for the premiere including an early arrival time to line up as passes do not guarantee access.’
Update The winners are: Laura, Erica, Vincent Chen, Lara, Lelainia, @RealDonElliott, @ArtBuf56, @IsabelFerreras, @stoneysmith, @missaliciao, Angela R, Jen, Amy, and another Alicia.
The beloved Woodward’s Windows return to various locations around downtown Vancouver this year as a part of Christmas at Canada Place. The classic, animatronic displays that have been a part of the holidays for decades have been restored and setup at nine different venues.
The main displays are at Canada Place but you can also find them at Bentall One, Bentall Three, Bentall Four, London Drugs at the old Woodward’s location, and the Vancouver Christmas Market. Make your way to each stop with the help of the Christmas at Canada Place iPhone & Android app or this brochure (which can be downloaded).
On the app, you can “check-in” to each location to receive a virtual ornament. Check into every location and you’ll be entered to win a $2,000 shopping spree at London Drugs. The app will tell you how close you are to a window, the hours of the venue (in case you want to get close up) and register your check-in.
If you don’t use the app, there are paper contest entry forms at each Woodward’s Window. Fill out the skill-testing-question for each and you can enter to win as well. You can visit every location until January 4, 2012 except for the Vancouver Christmas Market which will close December 24, 2011. Brochures are also available at Starbucks locations around the downtown core.
Grab the kids, some hot chocolates, download the app, and do the self-guided tour this season for your chance to win the shopping spree.
Miss604 is proud to once again partner with Christmas at Canada Place and sponsor the Woodward’s Windows and Breakfast with Santa which supports the Strathcona Community Centre’s Food Security Program.
The Woodward’s Windows returned in 2010 after being tucked away for years following the closure of the Woodward’s department store in Vancouver.
World AIDS Day is Thursday, December 1st and will aim to raise awareness about HIV testing and a cure.
According to the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (“CANFAR”): “A quarter of Canadians with HIV are not aware of their infection and young adults (aged 15-29) account for approximately 26 per cent of all people diagnosed with HIV in Canada. Since the first World AIDS Day in 1988, people around the world have shown their commitment to finding a cure by ‘going red’ and wearing a red ribbon.”
The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS has launched the “Treatment as Prevention” campaign that encourages individuals to get tested.
Local events for World AIDS Day include a free breakfast at the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation starting at 8:00am and the fourth annual Voices of Hope concert hosted by CBC’s Bill Richardson. The concert takes place at Christ Church Cathedral (Georgia and Burrard) at 7:00pm and admission is by donation.
Also, all four Whole Foods locations in Vancouver will be donating 5% of their net sales to AIDS Vancouver Grocery on December 1st.
BC Place Stadium in Vancouver (and the CN Tower in Toronto) will glow with red lights from 5:00pm on Thursday in honor of World AIDS Day.
