Tuesday, December 22, 2015

IN PERFECT TUNE WITH MEGHAN TRAINOR AND AWARD WINNING LEGENDARY ARTISTS IN “SNOOPY AND CHARLIE BROWN THE PEANUTS MOVIE” (3D)

 Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved Peanuts Gang make their big-screen debut, like they’ve never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation.  Charlie Brown, the world’s most beloved underdog, embarks upon an epic and heroic quest, while his best pal, the lovable beagle Snoopy, takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis, the Red Baron.  From the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of the “Ice Age” films, “Snoopy and Charlie Brown The Peanuts Movie” will prove that every underdog has his day.
 
                “Snoopy and Charlie Brown The Peanuts Movie” features the iconic music of Vince Guaraldi, who composed the beloved “Linus and Lucy” song from the television specials.  “Let me put your concerns to rest,” confirms Martino, “the ‘Linus and Lucy’ song and all the cues you know and love are in the film!”
               
                Martino turned to longtime Peanuts collaborator, jazz legend David Benoit, to perform the memorable title tracks for the film.  To bring to life the iconic “voice” of Ms. Othmar (the kids’ teacher) and all the other adult voices in the cast, the filmmakers tapped New Orleans jazz legend Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews. 
 
                At the helm of all the music is composer Christophe Beck (“Frozen,” “Ant Man,” “Pitch Perfect”).   In one memorable scene, Snoopy teaches Charlie Brown to dance (so he can impress the Little Red-Haired Girl).  Knowing the scene called for a song, Martino turned to one of the world’s top new musical artists, Billboard Music Award winning and Grammy nominated Meghan Trainor, to pen an original tune for the film.  “Meghan has written a wonderful song that expresses Charlie Brown’s optimistic attitude as he works with Snoopy to become a better dancer,” says Martino.  “She is such an amazing singer songwriter and a shining example of the thematic heart of our story.” 
 
                Trainor met with the team at Blue Sky and seemingly overnight captured the essence of the film in song.  “Musically, Meghan had me from her very first rough demo,” Martino says.  “My foot was tapping and I had a huge smile on my face as I could see this moment in the movie being lifted by her unique talents.”
 
                Trainor commented: “As a lifelong fan of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts Gang, I was thrilled to be offered the chance to see an early version of “Snoopy and Charlie Brown The Peanuts Movie” —and to then be inspired to write a song that captured the film’s spirit, energy and sense of joy.  And it was a pleasure to work with director Steve Martino to make sure the song did right by the incredible characters and world he’s bringing to the big screen.”
 
                Two-time Academy Award winner Randy Thom, Supervising Sound Editor and Supervising Sound Mixer on “Snoopy and Charlie Brown The Peanuts Movie,” is no stranger to the world of animation.  A legend in the craft of sound design and mixing, Thom, who is based at Skywalker Sound, has worked on over 20 animated films, including the “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Rio” films and “The Incredibles” (for which is won an Oscar).
 
                “Even though we used contemporary equipment we employed special techniques to antique them, incorporating characteristic sounds you’d recognize from the specials,” Thom continues.  In a nod to the classic specials and to the legacy of Charles M. Schulz, Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson, the filmmakers were granted access to the library of Melendez’s recordings of Snoopy’s voice.  “It was really important for us to use Bill’s voice, so I approached his studio and secured a majority of the recordings he had made over the years,” says Craig Schulz.
 
                The warmth and merriment of the holiday season continue as “Snoopy and Charlie Brown The Peanuts Movie” opens January 8 (also in 3D) in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Monday, December 14, 2015

UST Christmas concert at CCP

Press release


The University of Santo Tomas' Conservatory of Music, in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, celebrates Christmas with a concert on December 15, 8:00pm at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

The Christmas concert features the UST Symphony Orchestra, band, choruses, UST Singers, vocal and instrumental soloists, and Russian guest violinists. Program includes excerpts from Handel's Messiah, Broadway music from the West Side Story and Sister Act; Veni, Veni Emmanuel (A Cappella); Brass Christmas Funfare, Silong/Calalang's Kampana ng Simbahan, Bach-Gounod's Ave Maria, Pietro Yon's Gesu Bambino, Adolphe Charles-Adam's O Holy Night, La Virgen Lava Panales, and Pablo Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs), among other works.

For tickets, contact the CCP Box Office at 832-3704.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

MET OPERA SHOWS IN HD SEASON 3 AT GREENBELT 3 CINEMAS

Press release

Ayala Malls Cinemas recently unveiled its MET OPERA IN HD SEASON 3 at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas featuring the movie “La Donna Del Lago” that started last December 8. 

Photo courtesy of MET Opera
                Ayala Malls Cinemas brings the world-class experience opera in the country, presenting operatic productions to a wider audience.  Its debut feature on its third season, “La Donna Del Lago” tells about a time when Scotland under King James V (reigned 1513–1542) was in a state of unrest.  Amongst the rebels were Douglas (Elena's father), Rodrigo (to whom she has been betrothed) and Malcolm (whom she loves).  The King is in the habit of going about his lands disguised as Uberto.  Seeing Elena he instantly falls in love with her, but she repels his advances stating that he is confusing hospitality and friendship for romantic interest.  In the meantime he has realized that she is related to his enemies.  The clans gather to overthrow the king, and Rodrigo and Douglas discover Elena's secret love for Malcolm.  She tries to keep the peace, but the call to arms diverts the soldiers.  The battle does not go well, and Rodrigo is killed. Again the king in disguise encounters Elena and gives her a ring to take to the king if she is ever in trouble.  She decides to use it and goes to Stirling Castle where she finds that both Malcolm and Douglas are prisoners.  She pleads their cases, and the king magnanimously pardons them and blesses the union, now unimpeded by Rodrigo, between Elena and Malcolm.

                Bel canto superstars Joyce DiDonato and Juan Diego Flórez join forces for this Rossini showcase of vocal virtuosity, set in the medieval Scottish highlands and based on a beloved novel by Sir Walter Scott.  DiDonato is the “lady of the lake” of the title, and Flórez is the king who relentlessly pursues her, their vocal fireworks embellishing the romantic plot in this Met premiere production conducted by Michele Mariotti.

                Succeeding shows will be on January 12 (“Tosca”), February 9 (“Iolanta/Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle”), March 8 (“Carmen”),April 12 (“The Merry Widow”) and May 10 (“Macbeth”).

                Log on to www.sureseats.com for more details of MET OPERA IN HD SEASON 3 AT GREENBELT 3.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Revolution is happening

In celebration of the World AIDS Day, a music festival is dedicated for the awareness. This is not just for anyone who likes music but it is also to spread awareness about the campaign. Most are still not aware especially those who are judgmental, self-righteous people who knows nothing but stooping people down who are considered HIV+.

Because most of these people are not oriented about HIV and AIDS because most of them are either conservative or religious. But if you have seen the HBO movie or the theater production The Normal Heart, you could understand.

I know I am sounding too preachy this is still a problem not only because of the epidemic but socially. This event may lead you to a more positive outlook without being infected and it's happening this Saturday December 5 at SM MOA concert grounds. For more updates, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.