| http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; | | | | will also find audio tracks and visual trailers that |
| charset=utf-8"> | | | | take you into the heart of the performances and |
| The Royal Opera House is the first performing | | | | give a real insight into the power and majesty of |
| arts organisation in Europe (and only the third in | | | | productions that respect historical evolvement and |
| the world), to launch its own iTunes U materials | | | | context, as well as convey contemporary |
| which currently includes over 300 items of | | | | interpretations. This is performance art for the |
| multi-media content available for free | | | | 21st century. |
| download.iTunes U is a unique and specialised area | | | | Performing Arts for allThe true beauty of this |
| of the iTunes store which was initially designed to | | | | multi-media digital platform is the accessibility it |
| allow Higher Education institutions to make audio | | | | provides in a range of formats. The Insights |
| and visual content available to students for | | | | selection of downloads, which were taken from a |
| download and subscription. Today, there is a | | | | range of successful events, includes highly |
| myriad of information available from a range of | | | | informative and captivating discussions that |
| educational and cultural organisations which allows | | | | provide a unique opportunity to find out more |
| individuals to access exciting content, much of | | | | about the Royal Opera House productions. These |
| which was previously unreleased or unavailable. It | | | | include interviews with choreographers, directors |
| is anticipated that The Royal Opera House will | | | | and cast, as well as the background to the music |
| increase their own materials to feature some | | | | featured and other more practical information |
| 1,000 items over the course of 2010. But what is | | | | sessions. Because of the way the materials have |
| the content and who is it for? | | | | been created, it’s a great opportunity to |
| Behind the scenesFor many, a trip behind the | | | | experience what feels like a personalised journey |
| scenes of an opera or ballet performance at The | | | | of discovery around the characters and stories, |
| Royal Opera House remains an unfulfilled fantasy, | | | | which helps to explain some of the more complex |
| yet The Royal Opera House on iTunes U can now | | | | scenes and drama. Watching a young performer |
| offer exactly that. Whether you have a love | | | | take on intricate scenes guided by the Director of |
| affair with the performing arts, are studying, | | | | the Royal Ballet, for example, is inspiring and |
| training or working within this cultural sector, or | | | | enchanting, and reveals a more vulnerable side to |
| even just want to find out what opera and ballet | | | | the polished perfection audiences are used to |
| can offer, there is so much to choose from. | | | | seeing on stage. |
| There are downloads in a range of formats | | | | If you thought you had to be a ballet or opera |
| including: Swan Lake’, The | | | | aficionado to understand or appreciate any of |
| Nutcracker’, Sleeping Beauty’ | | | | these materials, then think again. This platform |
| and Giselle’ in rehearsal, conversations | | | | uncovers new insights into the global institution |
| with performing arts pioneers and performers | | | | that is the Royal Opera House and with that |
| such as Mara Galeazzi, Principal of La Scala and | | | | comes the power to engage truly diverse |
| Tenor Rolando Villazon and resources and tools | | | | audiences. It brings performance art to life and |
| such as: Opera Behind the Scenes’ and | | | | makes it real for audiences across the world to |
| Ballet Teaching Resources’. Here you | | | | enjoy. Best of all, it’s entirely free! |