The Magic of Excalibur: A Film, Music, and Opera Extrav
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The Magic of Excalibur: A Film, Music, and Opera Extravaganza is a one-of-a-kind live experience that will be held at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on April 28th, 2019.
The film
The Magic of Excalibur is a 1981 musical fantasy film directed by James Goldstone and starring Graham Chapman, Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, and Nicholas Clay. The film was distributed by Warner Bros.
The story
The story of the film is loosely based on the Arthurian legend. It tells the story of young man named Arthur (played by Nigel Terry) who, with the help of Merlin (played by Nicol Williamson), gathers together a group of knights to fight against the evil Morgana (played by Cherie Lunghi). Along the way, Arthur must overcome many challenges, including the temptations offered by Morgana, before he can claim the throne of Britain.
The film was directed by John Boorman and features an all-star cast that includes Helen Mirren, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, and Gabriel Byrne. The film’s music was composed by Trevor Jones and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. The opera scenes were conducted by Lorin Maazel and featured Placido Domingo as Arthur and Luciano Pavarotti as Lancelot.
The music
The music of the film was composed by Basil Poledouris and premiered in London on June 18, 1981. The opera scenes were recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by André Previn. The film version was recorded in stereo and released on album by Universal Pictures in 1982. A remastered version was released on CD by Prologue Records in 2000.
The music of the film is divided into three parts: the first part is the overture, which features the main theme; the second part is the “Good King Pellinore” scene, in which Pellinore (played by Patrick Stewart) sings an aria about his quest for the Holy Grail; and the third part is the “Camelot” scene, in which Arthur (played by Nigel Terry) and Guinevere (played by Cherie Lunghi) meet for the first time and dance to a love duet.
The opera
The opera, composed by Peter Maxwell Davies, was a controversial work when it was first performed in 1977. Some music critics praised it for its innovative use of electronics and its powerful vocal writing, while others derided it for Davies’ decision to use a rock band onstage. In any case, the opera helped to cement Davies’ reputation as a leading figure in the British avant-garde.
The music
It is the music that makes The Magic of Excalibur extra special. The film score was composed by Laurence Rosenthal and the music was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. The music is very stirring and emotional, and it really brings out the drama in the film. The Magic of Excalibur is an excellent example of how music can enhance a film.
The score
The music for the film Excalibur was composed and conducted by Trevor Jones. The score features a large orchestra, as well as soloists on several occasions. It was recorded in London and released on LP and CD by Virgin Records.
The film’s score is highly atmospheric, making use of medieval and chivalric themes to create a sense of otherworldliness and grandeur. However, it also contains moments of levity, such as in the cue “Merlin’s Magic”, which features a pastoral flute melody over an upbeat orchestral accompaniment.
The songs
The songs in the film were composed by Patrick Doyle and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. The score features a number of medieval and Renaissance instruments, such as the viola da gamba, shawm, lute, bagpipe, and drums, as well as more modern instruments such as the electric guitar.
The opera
The Magic of Excalibur: A Film, Music, and Opera Extravaganza is a new live theatre experience that is arriving in the UK this autumn. This exciting new production combines the music of Wagner, the film Excalibur, and the live action of an opera to create a unique and unforgettable cinematic theatre experience.
The story
The opera is based on the 1981 film of the same name, which was in turn inspired by the Arthurian legends. It tells the story of King Arthur’s journey to find the Holy Grail and save his kingdom from the evil wizard Merlin. The music was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and the libretto was written by John Rice. The opera was first performed in London in 1982 and has been performed around the world since then.
The music
The music of The Magic of Excalibur was composed by Giuseppe Verdi, with a libretto by Andrea Maffei, based on the outline of the film’s story. It was first performed at La Scala in Milan on February 17, 1865.
In his autobiography, Verdi wrote: “The first sketch [of the music] took no time at all… I wrote it in about ten days, without once sitting down at the piano.” The score was completed in December 1864 and sent to Maffei, who then wrote the libretto.
The opera was not a success at its premiere; it received mixed reviews and was jeered by some members of the audience. However, it has since come to be regarded as one of Verdi’s greatest works.
The film, music, and opera
The film, music, and opera based on the Arthurian legend, is a three-hour extravaganza that was written, directed, and produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The story of the film is based on the ancient legend of King Arthur and the magical sword, Excalibur. The film was shot in England and Wales, and the music was composed by Webber and conducted by Simon Lee.
The connection
Wagnerian opera and film have a lot in common. Both are stories set to music, with characters that sing instead of speak their dialogue. And both can be quite long—sometimes over three hours! But where they really connect is in their ability to transport us to another time and place. They both have the power to take us on an emotional journey, to make us feel things we never thought possible.
The Magic of Excalibur: A Film, Music, and Opera Extravaganza is a unique event that brings these two art forms together in a way that is truly magical. This one-of-a-kind experience features a live performance of Wagner’s opera Siegfried, with projections of the entire film Excaliibur playing on a giant screen above the stage. The film’s stirring score by Basil Poledouris accompanies the action on screen, while the live orchestra performs the operatic music below.
With its grand sets and costumes, exciting battle scenes, and tragic love story, Excaliibur is the perfect film to complement Wagner’sopera. And what could be more magical than watching two of the greatest works of art coming together in perfect harmony?
