Financial crisis makes no distinctions. It destroys everything it finds, sweeping away many a good gain achieved through the efforts of many generations. It’s taken its toll on education and public health, pillars of our welfare state, so how could it spare “lesser” necessities such as art and culture?

The latest to fall into this cultural genocide is the Gran Teatre del Liceu. Considered one of the best opera stages of the world, the Liceu has enforced a labour adjustment plan affecting 90% of its workers. The theatre will also be closed during a few months. A sad story that will force opera lovers to look for new shelters where they can enjoy the stage.

It is now that Grup Balañá‘s screening of operas starts to stand out. For months, the Comedia Cinema in Passeig de Gràcia has included the screening of the world’s most important operas and ballets. One Thursday each month and for only 10€, lovers of both arts can enjoy the best musical productions, with performances from settings as illustrious as the Royal Opera House in London and the Sydney Opera House.

An interesting alternative to enjoy opera in digital large screen quality, while we wait for the crisis and its consequences to subside.

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Opera Listings at the Comedia Cinema

February 16th, 20:30
Aida
Directed by Zubin Mehta and Frezan Ozpetek, with Roberto Tagliavani (as King), Luciana D’Intino (as Amneris) and Hui He (as Aida).

March 15th, 20:30
Macbeth
Phyllida Lloyd directs this production staged at the Royal Opera House in London in 2011.

April 12th, 20:30
The Rosenkavalier
Staging of Richard Strauss’ opera, directed by Brian Fitzgerald at the Sydney Opera House, starring Cheryl Barker, Catherine Carby and Manfred Hemm.

May 10th, 20:30
The Three Tenors
Screening of the legendary first performance at Caracalla (Rome) in July 1990.Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras directed by Zubin Mehta.

June 14th, 20:30
Swan Lake
With Rudolf Nureyev and Dame Margot Fonteyn’s masterful performances.