With interest in art and culture rapidly growing in Malta, Eden Cinemas have made the most of the digital revolution by expanding their film selection to offer a more cultural programme. Their cultural live entertainment slate is now in its fourth consecutive year.

Live international broadcasts are now the fastest growth area in cinema audiences. In a cinematic world, where much is easy to replicate and download, live events offer a unique and exciting which can’t be replicated in one’s living room. Eden Cinemas’s new live culture season, which includes a vast slate of live broadcasts from London’s Royal Opera House, does exactly that.

The new season takes viewers on an artistic, cinematic journey to the UK and into London’s famed Covent Garden. By taking a seat in Eden Cinema’s Cinema 11, which was recently refurbished, audiences will connect and form part of the growing cinema network that involves 60 countries.

Ermonela Jaho

The season will be launched with a new production of Bellini’s operatic masterpiece Norma on September 26 at 8.15pm. Conducted by Antonio Pappano, this Royal Opera’s performance features world-famous tenor Joseph Calleja. The launch event at Eden Cinemas offers a full theatrical experience to all patrons, who will be immersed into the sensation of actually being there.

With dimmed lighting and amplified surround sound, the cinema successfully creates a sense of being present at something unique. Some may argue that nothing can beat the intimacy of the actual theatrical experience, however, broadcasts offer a different experience that is just as immersive.

With dimmed lighting and amplified surround sound, the cinema successfully creates a sense of being present at something unique

An added bonus is that live broadcasts allow the audience exclusive insights, close-ups, interviews and never before seen footage, which is definitely not accessible when sitting in the dress circle of a theatre.

The opera programme features world class artists such as Emonela Jaho, Dimitri Hvorostovsky, Christine Rice and leading tenor Jonas Kaufman making his anticipated role debut in a new production of Verdi’s Otello. Vittorio Grigolo is in the title role for Les Contes d’Hoffman and Jaho sings the lead in Madama Butterfly, one of the three operas in the programme conducted by Pappano.

The Sleeping Beauty

Kristine Opolais in Madama Butterfly.

A new production of Mozart’s comedy Cosi fan Tutte and Verdi’s dark tragedy Il Tovatore, ensure there’s something for everyone throughout the season.

Alongside the opera productions are live performances by the internationally renowned and one of the leading ballet companies of the 20th century, The Royal Ballet. This season will mark the Royal Ballet’s 70 years as a resident ballet company of the Royal Opera House. Through the cinema live broadcasts, audiences will enjoy the seven-decade association through the chosen performance of Sleeping Beauty.

The slate also includes the major revival of Kenneth MacMillan’s Anastasia and Wayne Mc Gregor’s new one-act ballet Woolf Works. Mc Gregor’s production marks his 10th year as resident choreographer of the Royal Ballet and is set to a commissioned score by Steve Reich. Through the live cinema broadcasts, audiences get a close up look on dancers, allowing them to analyse technical extensions of legs, feet and arms.

The Eden Cinema culture programme offers audiences the chance to experience wonderful events at a fraction of the overseas theatre prices. Those unable to attend the live streams can also watch the recorded performance in an encore screening. Encores are held on Sundays following the live broadcasts, with ticket prices reduced further.

The Sleeping Beauty

Ed Watson and Natalia Osipova in Woolf Works.

Steven McRae as Oberon.