Thursday 14 November at 6.30 p.m. Foxcatcher [released on 14 November 2014]
Friday 15 November at 5.00 p.m. Academy Student Concert
Friday 15 November at 7.00 p.m. Anton Bruckner: The Making of a Giant [Bruckner was born on 4 September 1824]
Thursday 21 November at 6.30 p.m. Mansfield Park
Friday 22 November at 6.30 p.m. Turandot [Puccini died 29 November 1924]
Friday 29 November at 6.00 p.m. Combined Schools Carol Concert – Centenary Park Amphitheatre

THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER AT 6.30 P.M. FOXCATCHER

Carriages: 8.50 p.m.

When wealthy John du Pont (Steve Carell) invites Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) to move to his estate and help form a wrestling team for the 1988 Olympics, Mark sees a way to step out of the shadow of his charismatic brother, Dave (Mark Ruffalo). However, du Pont begins to lead Mark down a dark road, causing the athlete’s self-esteem to slip. Meanwhile, du Pont becomes fixated on bringing Dave into the fold, eventually propelling all three toward an unforeseen tragedy.

A chilling true crime drama, Foxcatcher offers Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, and Channing Tatum a chance to shine — and all three of them rise to the challenge. [Rotten Tomatoes]
An exhilaratingly breathless experience. [America Magazine]
It is tautly directed, deftly written, thoroughly gripping and offers psychological heft as well as sublime performances all round. [The Spectator]
Foxcatcher pins the viewer to the mat with its emotionally bruising tale of class, ambition and the pursuit of sporting excellence. [Movie Talk]

Admission: US$2.50 [free to Film Members]

FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER AT 5.00 P.M. STUDENT CONCERT

Carriages: 6.15 p.m.

The Academy’s end-of-term concert, featuring a wide range of students as well as guests.

Admission: US$1.00 [free to Red Carpet Members]

FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER AT 7.00 P.M. ANTON BRUCKNER: THE MAKING OF A GIANT

Carriages: 9.05 p.m.

Under-estimated by his contemporaries, but today acclaimed as one of the greatest and imaginative composers of his time, Anton Bruckner was born 200 years ago on 4 September 1824 This is the first in-depth documentary about the composer which explodes many of the myths and prejudices cultivated by his detractors during his life time and subsequently. It is a story from rags to recognition told by those who have intimate knowledge of Anton Bruckner and his work. Such great conductors as Kent Nagano, Valery Gergiev and Simon Rattle let the composer come alive in this documentary which tells of the ups and downs of his life through his music.

Using the opportunity of drawing on Gergiev’s recording of the Bruckner Cycle with the Munich Philharmonic, contributions from the St.Florian Boys Choir, organists at St. Florian and the Vienna Court Chapel as well as the conductor of the Linzer Singakademie (formerly Bruckner’s Liedertafel Frohsinn), we gain insights into the work of the composer. We visit his birthplace, hear about his teaching assignments, his triumphs as organist in France and England, his relationship with Wagner and the difficult times in Vienna, where he spent the latter part of his life.

Anton Bruckner Arrives in Heaven – Silhouette by Otto Böhler
From right to left : Bach, Handel, Haydn, Gluck, Beethoven, Mozart, Weber, Schumann, Schubert, Wagner, Liszt and finally Bruckner.

The documentary will be followed by a performance of Bruckner’s Te Deum conducted by Herbert von Karajan.

Admission: US$2.50 [free to Red Carpet Members]

THURSDAY 21 NOVEMBER AT 6.30 P.M. MANSFIELD PARK

Carriages: 8.20 p.m.

Fanny (Billie Piper), born into a poor family, is sent away to live with wealthy uncle Sir Thomas, his wife and their four children, where she’ll be brought up for a proper introduction to society. She is treated unfavourably by her relatives, except for her cousin Edmund, whom she grows fond of. However, Fanny’s life is thrown into disarray with the arrival of worldly Mary Crawford and her brother Henry…

A heartwarming and delightfully silly film. Billie Piper does it complete justice with her convincing portrayal of the little girl sent away from her home.. [Amazon]
If you didn’t mind your Austen both mucked about with and a little bit mucky – then it was all good fun. [The Guardian]
Visually, Mansfield Park is beautiful to behold. Nick Dance’s photography was sharp and filled with beautifully lush colours. [Live Journal]

Admission: US$2.50 [free to Film Members]

FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER AT 6.30 P.M. PUCCINI: TURANDOT

Carriages: 9.00 p.m.

Turandot is Puccini’s last opera, left unfinished at his death a hundred years ago on 29 November 1924 In legendary China, the Princess Turandot has sworn no man shall marry her unless he can correctly answer three riddles. Prince Calaf, who has fallen for Turandot, solves the riddles, but wants to set the Princess her own challenge. The power and beauty of Turandot‘s music gives the orchestra and chorus every opportunity to shine and includes the heroic Act III tenor aria ‘Nessun Dorma’.

The opera was completed from Puccini’s sketches by Franco Alfano for the first performance but other attempts have been made and this performance from La Scala, Milan, utilises the one by Luciano Berio, commissioned by Puccini’s publishers Ricordi in 2001. The evening will also include the usual Alfano completion in a performance from the Royal Opera House!

· A firm recommendation for this eminently watchable offering from the theatre of the opera’s premiere. [Gramophone]

· Besides some great acting in Act 3, Stemme sings this role really well. The voice is powerful and true and actually sounds quite beautiful, which again I’m not accustomed to hear in Turandot. [John’s Opera Ramblings]

· This performance gives viewers a daring and probing account of one of opera’s greatest gems. In the pit Riccardo Chailly makes this familiar score, suddenly new and refreshing, bringing out some often obscured orchestral colours. [Opera Wire]