The Eden Cinemas culture season is set to open with a bang once again, featuring some of the top titles from the world of opera and visual arts.

For the seventh year in a row, the Eden Cinemas is collaborating with the Royal Opera House (ROH), with a slate of 11 specially-selected live broadcasts direct (via satellite) from the ROH’s stage, straight to the big screen at Eden Cinemas. 

Five productions from The Royal Opera and six productions from the Royal Ballet, including many favourites, will be broadcast between October 2018 and June 2019.

Among the highlights from the Royal Opera is Verdi’s La Traviata (January 30). From the thrill of unexpected romance to a heartbreaking reconciliation that comes too late, La Traviata is the most performed opera in the world. Inspired by the life and death of the real Parisian courtesan Marie Duplessis, Alfredo falls in love in with the courtesan Violetta in glamorous Paris society, but underneath the surface run darker undercurrents, leading to a tragic ending.

Other unmissable shows in this portfolio include Die Walkure (October 28); The Queen of Spades (January 22); La Forza Del Destino (April 2); and Faust (May 5).

The Royal Ballet’s schedule is equally as impressive with exceptional performances of Mayerling (October 15); La Bayadere (November 13); and Within the Golden Hour/New Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui/ Flight Pattern (May 16). Among the highlights of what is to be a stunning ballet season is The Nutcracker (December 3).

The Nutcracker has long been one of the most delightful ways to discover the enchantment of ballet and makes for a delicious seasonal treat for all the family.

Tchaikovsky’s much-loved music is matched to a magical adventure on Christmas Eve for Clara and her Nutcracker doll. Carlos Acosta’s production of Don Quixote will also be gracing the stage on February 19.

La Bayadere new

The story follows Don Quixote’s picaresque journey to do deeds in honour of his imaginary noble lady, Dulcinea. Sunny, charming, funny and touching – Don Quixote is a ballet as full of uplifting emotion as it is of astonishing ballet technique.

The Royal Ballet season will be coming to a close with Shakespeare’s enduring love story known the world over, Romeo and Juliet (June 11).

Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet has become a modern ballet classic with choreography that captures the emotions of the young couple as they fall in love, despite the barriers that finally bring about the story’s tragic end.

But it’s not just about opera and ballet – the much loved Arts on Screen series will be kicking off the cultural season at Eden Cinemas this year.

The Nutcracker has long been one of the most delightful ways to discover the enchantment of ballet

This series transports audiences from the comfort of their seats up close to the lives of famous artists and their exhibitions – all in stunning definition. Arts on Screen is intended for all those with a passion for art and will allow them to take in the true beauty of the best works of some of history’s greatest artists. With a slate of 11 screenings, including past favourites back due to popular demand, this is going to be biggest Arts on Screen season to date.

Loving Vincent will open the season with a screening on September 30. He is believed to have killed himself, but he seemingly went from completely calm to suicidal in just a few short weeks. In Van Gogh’s own style of painting, we go along on an exploration into his extraordinary life and mysterious death.

Fan favourite The Vatican Museums 3D also makes its return on December 7. This mega-production explores the length and breadth of the Vatican Museums, showcasing amazing night-time footage through the halls which house some of the rarest and most precious works of art in the world, spanning all cultures and all epochs.

Degas - A passion for Perfection

Thanks to a unique mix of native 3D and the most advanced dimensional techniques used in cinema, audiences can literally immerse themselves in the great masterpieces of art history.

Given privileged access to both London’s National Gallery and Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum Rembrandt (April 9) documents this landmark exhibition, while interweaving Rembrandt’s life story, with behind-the-scenes preparations at these world famous institutions. For many, Rembrandt is the greatest artist that ever lived and this deeply moving film seeks to explore the truth about the man behind the legend.

Other brilliant screenings include Klimt & Schiele (October 22); Degas: Passion for Perfection (November 16); Water Lilies by Monet (November 30); Young Picasso (February 5); Rembrandt ( April 9) and Van Gogh & Japan (June 4).

Making their return due to popular demand are Canaletto and the Arts in Venice (October 19); Michelangelo Love and Death (January 25); Florence and the Uffizi Gallery 3D (March 8); Behind a Portrait: Accademia Carrara (May 3) and Caravaggio – the Soul and the Blood (June 14).

For more information on the full programme, visit www.edencinemas.com.mt or send an e-mail to cinema@edenleisure.com for a brochure to be delivered to your home.

The Nutcracker

Loving Vincent