A screening of “Singin’ in the Rain” at the Lido in Paris

At the Lido in Paris, which has reopened with a focus on musicals, “Singin’ in the Rain” is running until January – a new production directed by the renowned Robert Carsen. A complete change of scene in Naples, where, in the splendid Church of the Girolamini, audiences can hear the masterpieces preserved in the library of the same name, in particular the sacred music of the great composers of the Neapolitan School of the 17th and 18th centuries. Another change of scene, this time to Trieste, for the Premio Trio di Trieste competition – a special opportunity to experience masterpieces of chamber music up close, performed by young talents from all over the world.

Paris

From 17 September to 10 January at the Lido, the musical “Singin’ in the Rain”, performed in English with French surtitles. A cast of 24 actors directed by one of the greats, Robert Carsen; an orchestra of 14 musicians. Based on the 1952 film starring Gene Kelly and his unforgettable dance and song number (from which the title is taken). The American Film Institute has ranked this film first on its list of the Best Musical Films, and the Library of Congress has preserved it in the National Film Registry. In 1983, a musical was adapted from it in London – again with music by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed and a libretto by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, as in the film. Various productions have followed, in New York, Paris, Tokyo and Moscow. The film’s choreography was by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen; here, Carsen chose Rebecca Howell, who has choreographed *Grease*, *Moulin Rouge!*, *Man of La Mancha* and *Mamma Mia!*, amongst others. Carsen and Howell will not be able – nor, in all likelihood, willing – to do away with Kelly’s iconic style. *Singin’ in the Rain* features at least three numbers that have left a powerful mark on cinematic memory: ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, ‘Good Morning’ and ‘Make ’Em Laugh’. There will likely be a kind of dialogue with Kelly and Donen’s choreography, rather than a direct copy: retaining certain instantly recognisable gestures or images and building a new choreography around them.

On 19–20 and 26–27 September at 12 noon at the Church of the Girolamini – free admission – the fourth edition of Tempio Armonico, the festival that allows us to hear the masterpieces preserved in the Archive of the Girolamini Monumental Complex and Library. As usual, the concerts will be preceded by a talk with experts who will explore the artistic and cultural context of the period in which the scores were composed and performed. We would like to highlight the concerts by the ensemble La Cappella Neapolitana on the 20th and 26th, featuring motets and masses by great composers of the Neapolitan School, such as the 17th-century composers Francesco Provenzale and Gaetano Veneziano.