Royal Albert Hall announce world premiere of The Godfather Live
28 February, 2014
The Royal Albert Hall is making movie fans an offer they can’t refuse – the chance to see The Godfather on the big screen as Nino Rota’s immortal orchestral score is played live.
This unique version of Francis Ford Coppola’s timeless masterpiece, starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, and spanning 10 years in the lives of a New York “crime family”, will grace the iconic venue on Monday 8 December 2014.
The world premiere of The Godfather Live will be a celebration of a crime classic regularly cited as one of the greatest films ever made.
Jasper Hope, Chief Operating Officer at the Royal Albert Hall, said: “We are making movie fans an offer they can’t refuse – The Godfather as it has never been seen, or heard, before.
“The Royal Albert Hall has become the place to see great films with great scores played live, and the chance to watch The Godfather with Nino Rota’s legendary music performed on stage and in full will be a unique experience for fans.
“We are delighted to welcome the Corleone family to this iconic venue.”
Justin Freer, conductor of The Godfather Live, said: “It is with great excitement that we are able to bring this masterful score and film to the Royal Albert Hall. That we are able to preserve and present some of the most cherished music in the history of our craft is both exhilarating and humbling.
"There is little film music as instantly recognizable as Nino Rota’s opening music played on trumpet, and only a handful of films as masterfully made as The Godfather. The marriage of these two masterpieces on stage live at Royal Albert Hall will be something to remember."
The Godfather, released in 1972 to popular and critical acclaim, tells the story of the Corleones and their rivalry with other New York crime families between 1945 and 1955, as the title character (Marlon Brando) hands over the reins of power to his youngest son (Al Pacino).
Also starring James Caan, John Cazale, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton, the film won three Academy Awards – including Best Picture and Best Actor (Marlon Brando) – and established Coppola’s reputation as one of the exciting new breed of directors who revolutionised Hollywood from the late-1960s onwards.
In 2008, an Empire magazine vote saw The Godfather named as the greatest film ever made, a distinction also awarded it by Entertainment Weekly and Metacritic. It came second in Sight & Sound’s 2002 list and Time Out’s 2003 readers’ poll, and is currently ranked at number two in IMDb’s all-time list.
Composer Nino Rota achieved international acclaim in the 1950s and ‘60s for his work with Italian directors Federico Fellini and Luchino Visconti, scoring the likes of White Nights, The Leopard, La Dolce Vita and 8 ½. His music for The Godfather, including its immortal Love Theme, was ranked at #5 in the American Film Institute’s list of the greatest scores ever written.
The Godfather Live is part of the Hall’s ongoing series presenting cinematic landmarks with live orchestral accompaniment. Future events include the UK premieres of Gladiator and J. J. Abrams’ Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness, as well as the legendary 1961 musical West Side Story, and a repeat performance of last year’s world premiere celebrating the work of composer Danny Elfman in the films of Tim Burton.
For more information, go to www.royalalberthall.com.
Listings information:
The Godfather Live
Monday 8 December 2014, 7.30pm (doors 6.45pm)
Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP
Tickets £15 - £55 (booking fees apply)
Box Office 020 7589 8212
www.royalalberthall.com
For further information about The Godfather Live, please contact: Rick Burin, Press Executive, Royal Albert Hall: rickb@royalalberthall.com Tel: 020 7959 0531
NOTES TO EDITORS
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is the world’s most famous stage. Its breathtaking auditorium hosts over 370 shows a year by the world’s greatest artists. The magical atmosphere combined with inspired artists creates legendary events.
Opened in 1871 as part of Prince Albert’s vision for a centre for the Arts and Sciences, the Hall is a registered charity which operates without public funding, remaining true to his founding ambitions within a modern context. Extending the brand with 200 events outside the auditorium, the Hall has broadened its appeal to younger, diverse audiences whilst still engaging its existing customers.
The Hall also offers the Elgar Room, a state-of-the-art small-scale performance space which hosts performances of classical music, jazz and world music, comedy, dance and hush, a series of gigs for just signed bands throughout the year. In the main auditorium, it offers the Albert Sessions, an initiative that encourages up and coming acts to play at the Hall by offering reduced rental fees to promoters and lower ticket prices to encourage younger audiences to visit the Hall. It also works extensively with schools, young people, disadvantaged groups and partners such as Music For Youth through its Education programme, reaching over 100,000 participants each year as part of its extensive public benefit remit. It has also been appointed by the Arts Council as one of the country’s regional music education hubs.
For more information, please visit www.royalalberthall.com
Registered charity number: 254543