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Prominent Italian producer Pietro Valsecchi (“Quo Vado”) is developing a high-end Luciano Pavarotti biopic for which he has secured a consulting agreement with Nicoletta Mantovani, the second wife of the late great tenor who broadened the audience for opera and became a global pop culture icon.

A screenplay for the Pavarotti project is being penned by ace Italian screenwriter Leonardo Fasoli, a head writer on the series “Gomorrah” which is Italy’s top TV export.

Mantovani, who established the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation after the maestro’s death at 71, in 2007, is providing the project with documents, rare images, private letters, mementos and more from the archives of the foundation and museum in the Northern Italian city of Modena that was Pavarotti’s home.

As part of the agreement, Mantovani “will be actively involved in every aspect of the project, contributing first-hand to the narrative and artistic construction of the film,” according to a statement.

British royal family news reveals that the monarchy is full of dictums and protocols outlining all manner of do’s and don’ts: from makeup to clothing to Pda.

Queen Elizabeth is said to have had a strict restriction on one particular beauty trend, although one publication disputes that.

As proof, Marie Claire describes five stand out incidents of the royal women engaging in colorful displays—keep reading to discover where they wore their fabulous colors!

Did The Queen Have a Nail Polish Rule?

It was reported that the late Queen Elizabeth forbid colored nail polish, instead preferring natural or very pale pink nails —but there are several instances in which the royals presented colorful nail art, disproving this belief.

1) That Time Diana Paired Her Polish With her Gown

In a classic photo from 1992, the late Diana, looks stunning in a white dress, talking to Placido Domingo. In her hands...

Grupo Firme will no longer be performing in Sinaloa this weekend after receiving death threats from a drug cartel. On Wednesday, the band canceled their Mazatlán show shortly after a “narco manta,” or banner, appeared in their native Tijuana threatening to kill the band if they performed at in Sinaloa.

“Grupo Firme, if you play at the Mazatlan Carnival we will kill you all,” read the message written on a banner in southern Tijuana. “Remember that you live in Tijuana. We will kill even the guy who puts the lights on.

Famed Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli’s will be the subject of a concert film titled Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration that will get an international release this fall via Fathom. The pic will document the three-day event next month honoring Bocelli’s 30th anniversary in music.

The event is set for July 15, 17 and 19 at the Teatro del Silenzio (Theater of Silence) in Tuscany. Once a year, the natural amphitheater in Bocelli’s hometown hosts this musical festival, and the film will showcase Bocelli’s repertoire alongside duets with other performers.

The film will be directed by Grammy nominee and Emmy winner Sam Wrench, who recently helmed Taylor Swift – The Eras Tour, the highest-grossing concert film of all time. He also is behind live-performance films with Billie Eilish, Lizzo, BTS, The Weeknd and more.

Bocelli’s celebration features performances from Ed Sheeran, Brian May, Shania Twain, Jon Batiste, Russell Crowe, Sofia Vergara,...

New York, NY — April 15, 2024 — The 92nd Street Y, New York (92Ny), one of New York’s leading cultural venues, presents Cotton: Denyce Graves, mezzo-soprano and Justin Austin, baritone on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 7:30 pm at Kaufmann Concert Hall. Tickets start at $30 and are available at https://www.92ny.org/event/denyce-graves-and-justin-austin.

Celebrated mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, acclaimed for her riveting performances on the world’s great opera stages, her activism in support of diversity in the arts, and her championing of new music, is featured with exciting rising star baritone Justin Austin and pianist Laura Ward in the New York premiere of this immersive exploration of African American stories through song, poetry, and photography.

A poignant and powerful multidisciplinary work that speaks to the resilience of soul and psyche, Cotton is inspired by photographer John E. Dowell’s haunting images of South Carolina cotton fields – captured in his 2018 exhibit Cotton: The Soft,...

Netflix has struck a deal with music icon Julio Iglesias to produce a series about the star’s life.

An announcement for the deal noted this marks the first time the artist has participated in the creative process on production about his life and musical trajectory. The agreement was signed after Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria wrote Iglesias a letter

Details on the series are limited, but it will launch globally and is currently in development.

According to Netflix, it will “tell the story of how Julio Iglesias became the first non-English artist to enter the American and Asian markets and turned into a universal star who is among the five biggest record sellers in history.”

“After many speculations, books and documentaries in which I have not been involved, for the first time I have decided to tell the truth about my life to a universal company like Netflix,...

Netflix has closed a deal with Spanish singer-songwriter Julio Iglesias to bring his life to the screen in series form. “For the first time, this music living legend will participate in the creative process of a project in which he will share everything about his life and his incredible musical trajectory,” the streamer said on Thursday.

The project, currently in development, will “tell the story of how Iglesias became the first non-English artist to enter the American and Asian markets and turned into a universal star who is among the five biggest record sellers in history,” Netflix said. “Throughout his more than 55 years of artistic career, Julio Iglesias has recorded and sung in 12 languages and has connected fans from all over the world, becoming the first Spanish artist with universal reach to have his songs sung all over the planet.”

Financial details weren’t disclosed.

“After that many speculations, books,...

Los Angeles, Jan 6 (Ians) Grammy winner Michael Bolton has revealed that he has been diagnosed with brain tumour and will be taking a temporary break from performing.

The 70-year-old singer took to Facebook to make the announcement about his health, reports deadline.com.

“Just before the holidays, it was discovered that I had a brain tumor, which required immediate surgery. Thanks to my incredible medical team, the surgery was a success,” Bolton wrote.

“I am now recuperating at home and surrounded by the tremendous love and support of my family.”

He told fans he will be taking the “next couple of months” to his recovery and taking a “temporary break” from touring.

“It is always the hardest thing for me to ever disappoint my fans or postpone a show, but have no doubt I am working hard to accelerate my recovery and get back to performing soon,” wrote Bolton.

“Know...

New York City Opera’s Bryant Park summer series continues with From Vienna to Broadway!, a charming review of songs, duets, and ensembles that takes the audience on a musical journey through the 20th century. Beginning with Lehar’s The Merry Widow from 1905 and culminating with Sondhiem’s A Little Night Music from 1973, and in between featuring works by Herbert, Romberg, Gershwin, Loesser, and Bernstein, this performance features a stellar cast of seven New York City Opera stars. Performances are designed to be enjoyed casually – no tickets required – with ample seating available and free picnic blankets for audience members to borrow. For more information, visit https://bryantpark.org/calendar/event/new-york-city-opera-from-vienna-to-broadway/2023-08-18.

For anyone unable to attend in person, free livestream broadcasts of the performances will be available nationwide via Bryant Park’s website and social media platforms.

“We are delighted to return as a part Bryant Park Picnic...

New York City Opera’s Bryant Park summer series continues with Tenor Alessandro Lora in Concert on Saturday, August 19th at 7pm. An exciting young talent, tenor Alessandro Lora of Vicenza, Italy will perform a crowd-pleasing concert of diverse Italian repertoire including folk, popular, and traditional Neapolitan songs alongside operatic favorites, sure to delight the whole family. Featuring the New York City Opera Orchestra, the concert will be led by two great conductors, Maestro Maurizio Barbacini and Maestro Diego Basso, founder of the Orchestra Musico Sinfonica Italiana and the prestigious Art of Voice Academy. Produced in cooperation with Sandro di Benedetto, Bruno Benetti, and OneArt, the evening promises to be an unforgettable night of classic Italian romance and passion, sure to bring the audience to their feet.

Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis. Performances are designed to be enjoyed casually – no tickets required – with ample seating available and free...

Updated with latest photos: The Taormina Film Festival kicked off its 2023 edition on June 23 with a lineup that included the Italian premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny which brought out stars Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Mads Mikkelsen, and the Amber Heard-starring In the Fire directed by Conor Allyn. (Read about Heard’s exclusive interview with Deadline here.) It also features a short-film program curated by Bella Thorne, who is premiering her own short film Paint Her Red.

Other European premieres on tap at Taormina include Eva Vik’s Serpentine, starring supermodel Barbara Palvin. Another supermodel, Adriana Lima, is in town with FIFA: A Love Letter to Rwanda by Craig Goodwill, in which she appears and also executive produced. Later in the festival, Italian artist Marco Perego’s debut feature The Absence of Eden will world premiere with co-stars Zoe Saldaña, Garrett Hedlund and Adria Arjona joining Perego.

The 69th edition of the Taormina Film Festival has kicked off in Italy at the Teatro Antico amphitheater. Pavarotti Forever kicked off the festival in benefit of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation with Placido Domingo and Vittorio Grigolo headlining the event.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will hold its Italian premiere during the festival with director James Mangold scheduled to appear alongside his cast including Harrison Ford, Mads Mikkelsen, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas and Boyd Holbrook.

U.S. indie shorts and features will also premiere during the week with Conor Allyn’s In the Fire landing at Taormina alongside stars Amber Heard, Eduardo Noriega and Luca Calvani.

Marco Perego’s The Absence of Eden will have Zoe Saldaña, Garrett Hedlund and Adria Arjona at the festival premiering their film.

Disney Channel alum Bella Thorne is curating the Influential Shorts event at Teatro Antico.

Supermodel Adriana Lima will make an...

The newly rebooted Taormina Film Festival kicked off on Friday night in the Sicilian city’s landmark Teatro Antico amphitheatre in an unusual but magnificent style with benefit event “Pavarotti Forever”.

Placido Domingo, who was part of the famed The Three Tenors trio with Pavarotti and José Carreras, was among those celebrating the memory of the super-tenor in an event mixing filmed archive material and live performances.

The 82-year-old Spanish star was joined on stage by Italian opera singer Vittorio Grigolo, long tipped as Pavarotti’s successor, and a host of other top classical music stars including Marcelo Àlvarez, Aida Garifullina and Andrea Griminelli.

Talking to Deadline after the concert, Domingo admitted it was emotional singing and then looking up at the big screen to see interviews and performances from the former maestro.

“We have so many amazing memories of our friend and it’s very sad that he can...

Italy’s Taormina Film Festival kicks off its 69th edition Friday evening against the backdrop of its landmark Teatro Antico amphitheatre with a “Pavarotti Forever” benefit event headlined by Placido Domingo and Vittorio Grigolo.

It’s not the typical opening for a film festival, but it is in keeping with the eclectic programming of incoming artistic director Barrett Wissman, whose interview with Deadline on his plans for the festival can be read here.

Much is riding on the edition, with Wissman being brought in to raise its local and international profile after a turbulent decade, which was compounded by the Covid pandemic.

Topping the bill over the first weekend is the Italian premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial Of Destiny in the presence of Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Mads Mikkelsen. It’s the first time a major Disney production has touched down at the festival since Inside Out in 2015. Indiana Jones,...

On 18 June 2023, the Hungarian State Opera celebrates the greatest Hungarian soprano of the 20th century on the occasion of her birthday with performances by her former and current students, as well as the winners of the Éva Marton International Singing Competition. Special guest star of the evening is one of today’s most exciting rising tenors, Jonathan Tetelman. The Hungarian State Opera Orchestra is conducted by general music director Balázs Kocsár, the gala is directed by artistic director András Almási-Tóth.

Éva Marton, one of the most outstanding dramatic sopranos in the world, has sung the most beautiful and difficult roles of Verdi, Puccini, Richard Strauss and Wagner, as well as verismo, in the most renowned opera houses of Europe and America for more than 30 years, including London’s Covent Garden, Frankfurt, Hamburg, the Vienna State Opera, Bayreuth, La Scala in Milan, the Verona Arena, the Salzburg Festival, and the San Francisco and Chicago Operas.

If you were a movie fan in the 1980s, then you have at least a little soft spot for the Cannon Group. Walk through any video store, and you’d be greeted by covers featuring oiled up men, steely ninjas, and so many guns. If you wanted low-quality, instantly satisfying trash, you looked for the Cannon logo.

Although it had been around since the late 1960s, Cannon became Cannon in 1979, when Israeli cousins Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus took over, ushering in a golden age of low-budget, deeply satisfying shlock. Under the cousins’ reign, the Cannon Group pumped out movie after movie, hitting its peak in 1984, when it put out 42 features in one year. So dominant was Cannon that they very nearly produced a Spider-Man movie directed by none other than James Cameron. However, that same hubris drove the cousins to overreach, and after the flop of their big-budget play...

New York City Opera proudly announces the winners of the 2023 Duncan Williams Voice Competition. Hosted by J’Nai Bridges, the competition spotlights Black and Latinx singers and awards over $50,000 in prize money. On February 3, 2023 at Manhattan School of Music, 11 winners were announced in 4 categories: The Emerging Artists category, awarding $8,000 to Cierra Byrd, Daniel Rich, and César Andrés Parreño; the Developing Artists category, awarding $5,000 to Elizabeth Hanje, Benjamin Ruiz, and Jazmine Saunders; the Encouragement Award, awarding $3,500 to Joseph Parrish; and the Black and Latinx Song Presentation category, awarding $750 to Daniel Espinal, Kresley Figueroa, Lwazi Hlati, and Ardeen Pierre.

The Duncan Williams Voice Competition is named for baritone Todd Duncan and soprano Camilla Williams, the first African American singers to sing with a major United States opera company when they made their debuts with New York City Opera in 1945 and 1946, respectively. The Duncan Williams Voice Competition aims to address systemic barriers faced by...

Legendary tenor Placido Domingo is facing a new round of sexual harassment allegations, three years after he stepped down from the Los Angeles Opera over similar claims.

The new accusations come from a fellow Spanish singer with whom Domingo performed on a TV show that aired on Spain’s La Sexta. She alleges that he once tried to kiss her and also asked to touch her on another occasion after a rehearsal in a local theater some two decades ago.

Related Story Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Respond To Jeremy Clarkson’s Latest Apology; Amazon Reportedly Set To Part Ways With ‘The Grand Tour’ Vet – Update Related Story Former L.A. Opera General Director Placido Domingo Hospitalized Due To Coronavirus – Update Related Story This Week In Music: Placido Domingo Gives First Interview Following Sex Harassment Charges

“The first time that I felt unease was when we were rehearsing,” the woman said on La Sexta.

Gary Busey on Monday denied that he had acted inappropriately at the Monster-Mania convention in New Jersey over the weekend of Aug. 12, saying the accusations of groping were “all false.”

While pumping gas in Malibu, California, a TMZ cameraman asked Busey for his side of the story. The 78-year-old actor said “nothing happened,” and that the entire interaction with a woman who claimed he tried to unhook her bra and another who said he grabbed her butt lasted “less than 10 seconds.”

“[They] made up the story that I assaulted them sexually, and I did not… It was all false,” he said. He added that he has eyewitnesses who can back up his version of events.

Also Read:

Plácido Domingo Linked to Sex Trafficking Ring in Argentina, Prosecutors Say

Another attendee at the Monster-Mania convention, which celebrates horror movie and memorabilia, has also accused the actor of groping his daughter’s butt,...

R&b superstars Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak have joined forces to form a duo called Silk Sonic. The single “Leave The Door Open,” off their album “An Evening with Silk Sonic,” has so far been tremendously popular, recently topping the Billboard Hot 100. But while their continued commercial success seems all but certain, one question does remain: what are their Grammy chances? Let’s look at some past supergroups to see how the recording academy has reacted to them and what that might mean for this new dynamic duo.

The Highwomen

This critically acclaimed all-female supergroup consists of Grammy winners Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby. The country and Americana quartet released their debut album in late 2019 to great reviews. As for the Grammys, they surprisingly only got one nom for Best Country Song for “Crowded Table,” which they eventually won against bigger hits like Miranda Lambert...

Placido Domingo claims he has been diagnosed with the coronavirus. The 79-year-old revealed his condition in a Facebook post today.

The “Three Tenors” star said he felt it was his “moral duty” to share his diagnosis. He and his family are in “self-isolation for as long as it is deemed medically necessary.” Domingo is married to opera singer Marta Domingo and has three children, but did not reveal their medical status.

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He described his symptoms as a fever and cough, and urged fans to “be extremely careful” by practicing measures like frequent hand washing and social distancing.

“Together we can fight this...

Warner Music gave thanks this week for a strong financial report, but the rest of the music world’s attention turned to grievances. One artist claimed he was the victim of unfair accusations of sexual harassment, while a band claimed to be concerned about the carbon footprint caused by touring.

On another front, a consortium of independent music companies worried that China’s Ten Cent buying into Universal Music would spell trouble for the overall health of the industry.

This week in music:

Placido Not Being Placid About Accusations: In his first interview since accusations of sexual harassment emerged, opera star Plácido Domingo said the situation has been “a nightmare” and denied any wrongdoing. Domingo, the founder and former head of the Los Angeles Opera, said Spaniards are naturally “warm, affectionate and loving,” adding that he has always been “gallant,” but saying “gallant gestures are viewed differently nowadays.” In August,...

Placido Domingo, the famed singer and conductor who has been the general director of LA Opera since 2003, resigned Wednesday amid an investigation into claims he sexually harassed more than 20 women over the past 30 years.

Domingo, 78, has denied the accusations, first reported in exposés by the Associated Press in August and September.

“I hold Los Angeles Opera very dearly to my heart and count my work to create and build it as among my most important legacies,” said Domingo in a statement to media outlets. “However, recent accusations that have been made against me in the press have created an atmosphere in which my ability to serve this company that I so love has been compromised. While I will continue to work to clear my name, I have decided that it is in the best interests of L.A. Opera for me to resign as its general director and withdraw from...

Eleven more women have come forward accusing renowned Spanish opera singer and conductor Placido Domingo of sexual harassment, The Associated Press reports.

Following the outlet’s original report in August – in which nine women accused Domingo of forced kisses and verbal harassment – the AP stated that the additional women spoke of “unwanted touching, persistent requests for private get-togethers, late-night phone calls and sudden attempts to kiss them on the lips.”

One woman, Angela Turner Wilson, said the incident occurred during the Washington Opera’s 1999-2000 season, when she received her...

A legendary performer comes into focus when Pavarotti arrives on Blu-ra Combo Pack (plus DVD & Digital), Digital, and On Demand September 24 from Lionsgate.

A legendary performer comes into focus when Pavarotti arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD & Digital), Digital, and On Demand September 24 from Lionsgate. Directed by Academy Award®*, Golden Globe®**, Grammy®, Primetime Emmy®, and Daytime Emmy® winner Ron Howard and produced by Grammy® and Primetime Emmy®-winning producer Nigel Sinclair, Pavarotti tells the story of global sensation Luciano Pavarotti, who quickly gained notoriety worldwide for singing the aria “Nessun dorma” at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Featuring testimonies from his fellow Three Tenors members Jośe Carreras and Plácido Domingo, the film also includes archive footage featuring Spike Lee, Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela, and Stevie Wonder. Including making-of featurettes, which dive further into Pavarotti’s work and legacy, the Pavarotti Blu-ray will be available for the suggested retail...

Updated, 12:55 Pm: The fallout has begun following allegations of sexual harassment by nine women against opera singer Placido Domingo. The Los Angeles Opera, where Domingo has served as General Director since 2003, has released a written statement in response, saying it will “Investigate the concerning allegations”.

“We believe all employees and artists should be treated respectfully and feel safe and secure within their work environment. La Opera has robust human resources policies and procedures in place. In accordance with those policies, La Opera will engage outside counsel to investigate the concerning allegations about Plácido Domingo, the organization said in the statement. “Plácido Domingo has been a dynamic creative force in the life of La Opera and the artistic culture of Los Angeles for more than three decades. Nevertheless, we are committed to doing everything we can to foster a professional and collaborative environment where all our employees and artists feel equally comfortable,...

From Bono to Domingo, the stars line up to sing the praises of their late friend in Ron Howard’s heart-sinking documentary

Bland, incurious and passionless, this documentary about the great tenor Luciano Pavarotti is like a promotional video licensed by a team of copyright lawyers – and about as challenging as a Three Tenors gig at Wembley stadium. Pavarotti’s glorious voice all but drowns in a 114-minute montage of obsequious syrup.

Director Ron Howard certainly has an important lineup of interviewees: co-tenors José Carreras and Plácido Domingo, first wife Adua Veroni, second wife Nicoletta Mantovani, assistant, student and former lover Madelyn Renee – and also his New York manager Herbert Breslin and London promoter Harvey Goldsmith. Everyone is on their best behaviour, no one speaking out of turn about the great man or each other. Weirdly, the most interesting interview moments come in old archive footage of Pavarotti speaking to Clive James and Russell Harty.

Ron Howard is fast becoming a noted music documentarian: His 2016 film, “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week — the Touring Years,” released by Abramorama in theaters and Hulu on television, was a Grammy winner. His follow-up is “Pavarotti,” a doc about the man who became one of the most successful and beloved opera singers in history. The movie, which opened on June 7, features seminal performances by the late tenor as well as intimate interviews, including never-before-seen footage and appearances by such fans as Princess Diana, Bono, Nelson Mandela, Spike Lee, Kofi Annan, Stevie Wonder and Sting.

To craft the film, Howard reteamed with “The Beatles” project editor Paul Crowder and co-producer Nigel Sinclair, who were involved from the start, says the director. “As with the Beatles film, it really helps to have an editor who’s very musical,” Howard says, “and Paul, who’s also a director, brings all that: his musicality,...

Ron Howard doesn’t remember meeting Luciano Pavarotti so much as feeling his presence. “My memory has less to do with my brief handshake and fleeting eye contact with the maestro and more to do with the fact that it was at this giant Golden Globes event with major movie stars and elite television stars,” the film director says. “But even with those people there, when he arrived, he was it. And that was in the early Eighties, before the Three Tenors even. He was beginning to have that kind of impact,...

If one is an anomaly, two are a coincidence and three are a trend, then Ron Howard might strictly become a music documentarian after “Pavarotti” hits theaters.

The documentary about the world-famous Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti comes on the heels of Howard’s “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week” and “Made in America,” a look at Jay-z’s music festival of the same name.

“Look at the way music has become so important in the medium in general, whether it’s scripted or documentary. I think it’s something to rally an audience around. Technology is such that we can offer a kind of concert experience,” Howard told Variety at a screening of the film on Wednesday at CAA in Los Angeles. “Our intention was to make this as much of an opera as it a human-interest story about Pavarotti.”

The director remarked that last night’s screening was the...

After being teased at the Grammys, Ron Howard’s documentary on Luciano Pavarotti, the legendary Italian opera singer, takes center stage with an official trailer.

“Pavarotti: Genius Is Forever” will hit theaters on June 7, and Tuesday’s trailer showcased footage from interviews, concerts and family archives. It also featured testimonies from his fellow Three Tenors members José Carreras and Plácido Domingo, as well as U2’s Bono.

Howard will reunite with Nigel Sinclair, Brian Grazer and Michael Rosenberg, his team of producers from “The Beatles: Eight Days A Week,” in addition to Jeanne Elfant Festa, for the documentary. The non-fiction film, from Polygram and CBS Films, will cover Pavarotti’s adolescence to his rise to global fame with his powerful and singular vocals.

Pavarotti spent his childhood in Italy taking singing lessons and learning from his father, who was also a tenor. After several small shows in Italian opera houses,...

Raunchy British dating format Love Island dominated the global formats business in 2018, culminating in the news that the breakout reality series is being adapted in the U.S. by CBS.

Now that the ITV format is coupled up, U.S. broadcasters are looking elsewhere for their own sexy singleton series as well as international non-scripted formats that can shuffle through the clutter and make a dent in the golden age of drama.

Netflix made an audacious entrance into the formats space this year, causing a stir by picking up the U.S. and global rights to Studio Lambert’s Catfish-meets-Big Brother series The Circle (above) ahead of a number of traditional rivals. Linear networks have been warned that they will need to be quick to secure the rights to foreign shows that pop or else start to look towards territories that they may not have explored before.

ABC is cooking up a U.

America’s Got Talent wrapped its 13th season on Wednesday with a two-hour extravaganza that paired the remaining 10 acts with some of the biggest names (and tongues) in entertainment. Following Kiss’ high-energy opening performance of “Detroit Rock City,” host Tyra Banks introduced a series of duets and encores from Season 13 favorites.

Glennis Grace was the first to take the stage, singing the Florida-Georgia Line portion of “Meant to Be” with Bebe Rexha after the singer’s own performance of her new single “I’m a Mess.” This was followed by a slightly less conventional collaboration as comedian Samuel J. Comroe...

Opera singer Plácido Domingo is working with The Late Late Show With James Corden co-producer Fulwell 73 to remake popular Hungarian classical music format Virtuosos in the U.S. and UK.

The Spanish tenor, part of the Three Tenors group with José Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti, has become a shareholder in Virtuosos Holding, the company that owns global rights to the eponymous format.

The show, which has aired on Hungary’s Mtva since 2014, sees children and young adults compete by playing classical pieces as well as movie themes, while they are judged by five professional judges. The series is produced by Mariann Peller.

Fulwell 73, which is partly backed by Corden and also produces series including Comedy Central’s Roast Battle and BBC’s Sounds Like Friday Night, is to develop adaptations in the U.S. and UK following the format deal.

Domingo said, “The Virtuosos talent show and activities that surround...

Kirk Simon, the veteran Oscar- and Emmy-winning documentarian who was behind projects centering on Jane Goodall, Placido Domingo and the Pulitzer Prize, has died. He was 63.

Simon died Saturday in New York City of cardiac arrest, his brother, Ron Simon, curator of television & radio for The Paley Center for Media in New York, announced.

Simon won his Oscar (shared with frequent collaborator Karen Goodman) in the best documentary, short subjects category for Strangers No More (2010), about the children of immigrant workers struggling to make a new life in Tel Aviv.

...

Legendary British actor Roger Moore has died at the age of 89 after an iconic career on the silver screen — including his record time as James Bond. This 2008 interview from EW takes a look back at Moore’s career and how he became “the best Bond.”

“Can I get you a drink, Mr. Moore?”

The waiter stands there, secretly hoping that he’ll say those five words known from the beaches of Rio to the bazaars of Cairo to the ski slopes of Gstaad: Vodka martini—shaken, not stirred.

“I’ll have a…Bloody Mary.”

Roger Moore is sitting in the...

Following the success of their July 1, 2016, concert in the magical setting of Piazza Santa Croce in Florence, Italy, Il Volo is getting ready for next week's release of their new album Notte Magica - A Tribute to The Three Tenors with special guest, the legendary Placido Domingo. Available September 30, the new album will give fans around the world the chance to re-live and experience this once-in-a-lifetime event. BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first listen to their rendition of 'Maria' from West Side Story below...

The Met Opera 2016-2017 season kicks off in Cineplex theatresThe Met Opera 2016-2017 season kicks off in Cineplex theatresJenny Bullough9/21/2016 9:59:00 Am

There’s nothing quite like experiencing the pageantry, beauty, and incomparable vocal performance of live opera. But one thing comes very, very close: The Met Opera in Cineplex theatres. Only at Cineplex, you can take in the full spectacle of the Met’s 2016-2017 season, filmed in breathtaking HD. The Met Opera Live in HD offers benefits you can't get even at the Met itself: closeups of the performers, the rich detail in every costume, and the intricate choreography required in staging a grand opera are all showcased by the filming technique. Featuring world-renowned classics such as Don Giovanni, La Traviata, Tristan and Isolde, and much, much more, performed by stars such as Placido Domingo, Renee Fleming and many others, the Met Opera Live in HD series...

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Marc Anthony, Plácido Domingo and Shakira all said goodbye and Jorge Ramos offered live praise but in the end the end of Sábado Gigante was all down to host Don Francisco and the audiences he had for 53-years. And they showed up in strength on September 19 to wish the longest-running variety show ever a fond farewell. Sábado Gigante ¡Hasta Siempre! drew 3.4 million total viewers on Saturday with around 1.4 million…...

Kristen Stewart, Catherine Deneuve make César Award history (photo: Kristen Stewart in 'Clouds of Sils Maria,' with Juliette Binoche) Kristen Stewart and Catherine Deneuve are two 2015 César Award nominees making history. The French Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Crafts announced the nominations on Jan. 28, 2015; the César Awards ceremony will take place on Feb. 20, 2015, at Paris' Théâtre du Châtelet. Kristen Stewart is in the running in the Best Supporting Actress category for Clouds of Sils Maria / Sils Maria. Catherine Deneuve has been shortlisted as Best Actress for In the Courtyard / Dans la cour. So, how are Stewart and Deneuve making César history? Well, let's begin with "the expected one": Deneuve. Catherine Deneuve One of the biggest film icons ever, Catherine Deneuve is one of those relatively rare international film superstars who has never bothered with – or needed – a Hollywood career. Deneuve, who turned 71 last October 22, has been...

"The Book of Life" is a colourful, slightly macabre animated story that draws from Mexican culture and aesthetic style. Told as a story-within-a-story, this is a straight-up fairy tale that sees the protagonist go on a traditional heroic quest, with visits to the underworld, battles with raging beasts, and overcoming family expectations.

For a film that has significant events that take place in the underworld, this seems like a weird title.

Originally the film was called "Day of the Dead," which, frankly, is much more in keeping with the film's style. While granting that there are entire swaths of the audience that would be caught, um, dead taking their children to a film of that title, from both a narrative and aesthetic point of view it's a much more apt title.

What's with Mexicans and all this death stuff?

That seemingly offensive question is a rhetorical question that the film explicitly raises,...

Chicago – Unfortunately you can’t judge “The Book Of Life” by its cover. The movie draws on the fertile imagery of the Mexican “Day Of The Dead” to create its own animated world. The animation is excellent and the wooden characters seem to spring to life – but those performances are as wooden as a board.

Which also describes my feelings for most of this uninspired journey…bored.

Rating: 2.5/5.0

The film doesn’t have the courage to go its own way, instead it uses the window dressing of its distinctive look to paper over a story that is firmly stuck in the material world of mediocrity. Trouble begins from the onset with an uninspired framing device involving grade school slackers touring a museum and learning about the Mexican cultural traditions – complete with a map showing Mexico with a giant bandito mustache. These modern characters seem to have been inspired by the...

Over the weekend I had a chance to speak with director Jorge Guiterrez about his new film "The Book of Life," which is also produced by Guillermo del Toro. The look of the film is inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) celebrations.

"The Book of Life" is the journey of Manolo (Diego Luna), a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans three fantastical worlds where he must face his greatest fears. Rich with a fresh take on pop music favorites, "The Book of Life" encourages us to celebrate the past while looking forward to the future.

Here is what Guiterrez had to say about the film.

For me, when I first saw the film, I thought of it as elements of a video game.

Developer and game publisher Sgn launched its first collaboration with Fox Digital Entertainment, the mobile game release “Book of Life: Sugar Smash.” The game is tied to the upcoming “Book of Life,” an animated feature produced by Guillermo del Toro and directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez. The film's voice cast includes Channing Tatum, Zoë Saldana, Diego Luna, Ron Perlman, Ice Cube, Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin, Placido Domingo, and Christina Applegate, many of whom are also featured voices in the game. The game and film will both be available on Oct. 17. Also read: Sgn Names New President, Plans to Release 9 Games.

Featuring the voices of Christina Applegate, Ice Cube, Hector Elizondo, Diego Luna, Zoë Saldana, Danny Trejo, Channing Tatum and Ron Perlman, The Book Of Life is a vibrant fantasy-adventure that tells the legend of Manolo, a conflicted hero and dreamer who sets off on an epic quest through magical, mythical and wondrous worlds in order to rescue his one true love and defend his village.

The cast also includes Cheech Marin, Hector Elizondo, tenor Placido Domingo, plus Ana de la Reguera (Nacho Libre, Eastbound and Down), Eugenio Derbez (Instructions Not Included), comedian Gabriel Iglesias (Stand-up Revolution), and Danny Trejo (Machete).

The Book Of Life’s original score and songs are by two-time Academy Award-winner Gustavo Santaolalla (Brokeback Mountain). The film is produced by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and directed by Jorge Gutierrez. Gutierrez also wrote the screenplay with Doug Langdale.

The Book Of Life Hits Theaters Everywhere On October 17th.

20th Century Fox has released the original soundtrack for their highly anticipated film, The Book Of Life. Effectively capturing the distinctive Latin American flavor found in the movie and featuring 18 eclectic tracks, the soundtrack is available on iTunes now, and physical copies will also be available on Amazon on October 13.

Digital album on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/bookoflife-ost

Physical album on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/bookoflife-ost-cd

Visit SoundCloud for a sneak peak Here: https://soundcloud.com/sony-soundtracks/sets/the-book-of-life-original

Track Listing: 1. Live Life – Jesse & Joy 2. The Apology Song – La Santa Cecilia 3. No Matter Where You Are – Us the Duo 4. I Love You Too Much – Diego Luna and Gustavo Santaolalla 5. I Will Wait – Joe Matthews, Diego Luna and Gustavo Santaolalla 6. Mas – Kinky 7. Cielito Lindo – Plácido Domingo 8. Creep – Diego Luna and Gustavo Santaolalla 9. Can’t Help Falling In Love With You – Diego Luna and Gustavo Santaolalla 10. Ecstasy Of Gold – Gustavo Santaolalla 11. Do...

20th Century Fox have provided Latino-Review with an Exclusive "Book of Life" featurette. Diego Luna stars in the Guillermo del Toro-produced animation as Manolo.

Luna talks about his character who goes on this insane journey into the land of the remembered, who is hero with no special powers, his only strength is Love.

The film co-stars the voice talents of Channing Tatum, Zoë Saldana, Ice Cube, Ron Perlman, Christina Applegate, Kate del Castillo, Cheech Marin, Placido Domingo, Hector Elizondo, Ana de la Reguera, Eugenio Derbez, Gabriel Iglesias, Ricardo “El Mandril” Sanchez, and Danny Trejo.

"The Book of Life" is the journey of Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans three fantastical worlds where he must face his greatest fears. Rich with a fresh take on pop music favorites,...

Richard Abramowitz’s distribution company Abramorama has partnered with Arts Alliance to theatrically release a slate of titles including live events.

Highlights include live and as-live broadcasts of the Royal Opera House’s I Due Foscari starring Placido Domingo, La Bohème, Swan Lake and Shakespeare’s Globe On Screen production of Twelfth Night starring Mark Rylance.

“With opera and ballet from Covent Garden, Shakespeare from the Globe Theatre, and art exhibits of the highest quality from the best museums around the world, North American audiences will now experience what the rest of the world has long appreciated,” said Abramowitz (pictured).

“Arts Alliance has been a premier content producer and distributor for years and we’re delighted to be working with them to bring this great programming to the North American market. This kind of alternative content is a true growth area in our business and we look forward to a long and prosperous partnership.”

“This is an exciting...

Richard Abramowitz’s distribution company Abramorama has partnered with Arts Alliance to theatrically release a slate of titles including live events.

Highlights include live and as-live broadcasts of the Royal Opera House’s I Due Foscari starring Placido Domingo, La Bohème, Swan Lake and Shakespeare’s Globe On Screen production of Twelfth Night starring Mark Rylance.

“With opera and ballet from Covent Garden, Shakespeare from the Globe Theatre, and art exhibits of the highest quality from the best museums around the world, North American audiences will now experience what the rest of the world has long appreciated,” said Abramowitz (pictured).

“Arts Alliance has been a premier content producer and distributor for years and we’re delighted to be working with them to bring this great programming to the North American market. This kind of alternative content is a true growth area in our business and we look forward to a long and prosperous partnership.”

“This is an exciting...

We've got a new trailer to share with you for the Guillermo del Toro-produced animated feature The Book of Life. This is a very different and unique looking movie that I hope audiences will embrace and enjoy. The movie had a panel at Comic-Con and it seemed like it was well received by the the audience in attendance. 

The movie was directed by Jorge Gutierrez and it has a wonderful voice cast that includes Diego Luna, Channing Tatum, Zoë Saldana, Ice Cube, Ron Perlman, Christina Applegate, Kate del Castillo, Cheech Marin, Placido Domingo, Hector Elizondo, Ana de la Reguera, Eugenio Derbez, Gabriel Iglesias, Ricardo "El Mandril" Sanchez, and (of course) Danny Trejo. 

The Book Of Life is the journey of Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible...