Orchestra Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

Feeling festive? With this stellar line-up at The Bridgewater Hall, Christmas 2023 promises to be an absolute cracker.

Jon Burlingame Approaches to film scoring have become increasingly eclectic—from jazz and classical to hip-hop and avant-garde—making it more difficult than ever for Academy voters to narrow the field to 15 for Oscar’s shortlist. Variety examines 16 of the possible choices, in alphabetical order: ‘American Fiction‘ – Laura Karpman Cord Jefferson’s movie—about a Black writer who, as a joke, writes a bad novel that becomes a best seller—has a lead character whose name is Thelonious and whose nickname is Monk.

Prestwick gets into the festive mood next weekend (November 25 and 26) with a two day Prestmas special.

This winter, join Manchester’s symphony orchestra, the Hallé, for a cracker of a Christmas - with concerts to suit all ages at The Bridgewater Hall.

K.J. Yossman “The Hunger Games” star Sam Claflin has boarded George C. Siougas’ short film “The One Note Man” as an executive producer.

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Much of the buzz around Bradley Cooper‘s “Maestro” so far has revolved around his shocking physical transformation into famed conductor Leonard Bernstein, but the actor-director-writer’s prep for the role might also blow some people away. Speaking at a recent Los Angeles screening for the film in a conversation moderated by “Hamilton” Tony-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, Cooper revealed that he spent a whopping six years learning how to conduct just over six minutes of music in the style of Bernstein himself so he could record a crucial scene in “Maestro” live on set. The scene in question recreates Bernstein’s famous conducting of the London Symphony Orchestra at the Ely Cathedral in 1976.

The Godfather and E.T. The Extra Terrestrial in this way over the years, both of them at London’s prestigious and historic Royal Albert Hall in the centre of town.

Ethan Shanfeld The Smile has announced a new album “Wall of Eyes,” set for release on Jan. 26, 2024, via XL Recordings.

The Smile have revealed details of their brand-new album, Wall Of Eyes. The album is the second from the trio (Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood plus drummer Tom Skinner) and follows their 2022 debut A Light For Attracting Attention.

Society of the Snow tells the story of the rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes mountains in 1972, the incident made famous in the book and 1993 movie Alive. But whereas Alive focused on the survivors, who had to resort to eating the dead crash victims to survive, J.A. Bayona’s Venice Film Festival-closing movie focuses on the ones who did not make it.

Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor Sony Pictures will conduct a live orchestra at the Academy Museum featuring the bombastic music from its animated feature (and best picture) contender “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” At a special invitation-only event at the David Geffen Theater, the studio will feature an exhilarating arrangement of electronics, turntables and a live orchestra performing the original score from Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s box office smash by Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning composer Daniel Pemberton. The concert will feature appearances by Oscar-winning producers and screenwriters Phil Lord and Chris Miller; the film’s directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K.

Zara McDermott has thrown herself back into work as she distracts herself from her Strictly Come Dancing axe. The former Love Island star became the fifth celebrity contestant to be eliminated from the BBC One contest last weekend following the epic Halloween special.

Davide Abbatescianni Oscar-winning filmmaker Michel Gondry presented “The Book of Solutions” at Lucca Comics & Games this week, and took the opportunity to explore his ideas about creativity, and to urge aspiring directors to fight against perfectionism and embrace risk. He was accompanied by his editor, Élise Fievet. Gondry explained that the self-help guide from which the film gets its name features a series of guiding principles for creativity, such as kicking off a project without hesitation, learning by doing, and not listening to others.

A live orchestra is set to perform the scores of some of the most played and beloved video games in a live show in Manchester.

bbymutha has signed to True Panther Sounds — the buzzy, independent New York label that’s currently home to Grace Ives, Frost Children, Model/Actriz, Oklou, and Popstar Benny (among others) and boasts King Krule, Abra, Cloud Nothings, Hunx and his Punx, Shlohmo, Ty Segall, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and more as alumni. The signing comes after a decade of self-releases from the Chattanooga MC born Brittnee Moore, who’s built a cult following through the years with her raw delivery, impeccable beat selection, and defiance of industrial and societal norms.

Many Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left asking 'who' before saying it took them 'ages' to recognise one of the show's professional dancers. The confusion came during the latest results show which aired on Sunday night (October 30).

Strictly Come Dancing star Zara McDermott said she 'can't stop crying' as she broke her silence on her exit from the competition. The documentary maker, who made history as the first Love Island star to take part in the show, was voted out of the contest on Sunday night (October 29).

Steven J. Horowitz Senior Music Writer How do you seamlessly blend the connective tissue between hip-hop and classical? Easily, if you’re Metro Boomin. On Thursday night, the Atlanta producer partnered with Red Bull Symphonic to translate his music into widescreen at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, playing master of ceremonies during a precisely 90-minute set that featured a 43-piece ensemble counting strings, brass and a harp to boot.

Lise Pedersen Lyon’s impressive Roman-style auditorium, normally used by the city’s symphonic orchestra, was sold out as U.S. writer and director Wes Anderson took to the stage as guest of honor of the Lumière Film Festival.

Cate Blanchett’s fictional conductor Lydia Tár.Blanchett played the character in director Todd Field’s 2022 film Tár, a psychological drama about a world-renowned Berlin conductor who faces allegations of misconduct.Mallwitz, who was inaugurated as chief conductor of the orchestra last month, has since been widely compared to the character due to her appearance.Speaking to The Guardian, Mallwitz described the comparisons as “ridiculous” but explained that she hasn’t managed to see the film yet.“I know it’s ridiculous,” Mallwitz said. “I really want to see the film and I adore Cate Blanchett, but it’s been such a whirlwind, I’ve had no time.“But the comparisons between me and her – well, it’s just the hair, right? To be honest, people have been saying to me for the past 20 years that I and Blanchett look a little bit alike.

Eight-time Grammy winner Gloria Estefan is writing the music and lyrics for an original stage musical called Five Notes about Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, the singer announced today.

Tamera Mowry-Housley is off to solve an eery murder mystery in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major.

Danny Elfman‘s score to Batman is to be performed by a live symphony on a 35th anniversary tour of North America and Europe.Across 14 dates ranging from January to June 2024, the DC in Concert series will bring the iconic score to theatres across the States and to gigs in Paris and London.At the shows, the score will be performed in front of a projection of the original Batman, which starred Michael Keaton in the titular role and Jack Nicholson as the Joker.The gigs begin in January in Los Angeles, and run until late April in the US. The tour then wraps up with a gig at Paris’ Le Grand Rex on May 24, and at London’s Barbican two days later.Pre-sale tickets go on sale on September 13 at 10am local time, with a general sale beginning at the same time on September 15.

Jennie Punter Filmmaker Chloé Robichaud would often listen to classical music in the background to help focus her writing process — a subliminal influence that led to the creation of the main character of “Days of Happiness,” which world premieres in Toronto Sept. 9. Her third feature follows gifted young conductor Emma (Sophie Desmarais) at a pivotal moment in her career as she tries to reset her relationship with her controlling father (who is also her manager) and strengthen a complicated new romantic relationship.

Ben Croll “Maudie” director Aisling Walsh describes her upcoming feature, “Ethel,” in recognizable terms. “We all understand what it is to struggle to be the best at what we can,” Walsh tells Variety. “We’re all looking for that chance to make something happen.” Written by Celeste Parr, produced by Marie-Claude Poulin (“Brooklyn”) of Sphere Media, and presented at this year’s Venice Production Bridge gap-financing market, “Ethel” tells the true story of Ethel Stark – a trailblazing Canadian musician who broke barriers when she founded a mixed-race, all-female orchestra in the 1940s.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor “Not a Word,” which is being sold by international sales agency Beta Cinema, will have its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in the competitive Platform section. Variety speaks to the film’s writer-director, Hanna Slak, and debuts its trailer. “Not a Word” tells the story of a relationship crisis between a parent and her teenage son.

Ariana Grande has released a new live performance video for ‘Baby I’ as part of her ongoing ‘Yours Truly’ 10th anniversary celebrations – watch it below.The video was filmed at the Soho House in London, where Grande is currently filming for the Wicked movie. The video features the singer surrounded by a full band and mini orchestra, and tapestry with a video of her singing projected onto it.Watch Ariana Grande’s special live rendition of ‘Baby I’ below.‘Baby I’ is the third video to receive the special live video treatment from the ‘Yours Truly’ album to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic The classic Harold Lloyd comedy “Safety Last” is turning 100 years old this year. But with its heavy dollops of action and a superstar’s real-life derring-do, it doesn’t seem a day over 10, even if it does date back to the silent era. The film screens this Sunday as the climax of the Academy Museum’s “Silent Sundays” series, with a live score from a 24-piece orchestra helping heighten the suspense in the ultimate fear-of-heights movie.

Jon Burlingame As Emmy voting draws to a close, members of the Television Academy music peer group is finalizing its choices for awards in seven categories. Here’s a guide, examining the competition in scoring, song, music direction and supervision.

Naman Ramachandran Emmy -winning actor Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”) will present the Fantasy, Myths and Legends Prom at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Aug. 28. The event is an evening of orchestral works from film, television and gaming, from titles including “Harry Potter,” “Star Wars,” “The Lord of the Rings,” “Game of Thrones” and “World of Warcraft.” The BBC Concert Orchestra led by their new chief conductor, Anna-Maria Helsing, will be joined by mezzo soprano Felicity Buckland and The Huddersfield Choral Society.

Jon Burlingame “Music direction” is the most mysterious of the seven music categories at the Emmys, and eligibility rules have changed over the years. The current definition is: “arranging and orchestrating, composition, supervising of rehearsals and recordings, and conducting both live and prerecorded material.” Explains Adam Blackstone, who won last year as music director of the Super Bowl Halftime Show: “It’s not just about the music. My job is also referee, to make sure things go smoothly.” He is a dual nominee this year, for Fox’s Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show starring Rihanna and HBO Max’s 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Oneohtrix Point Never, a.k.a Daniel Lopatin, has announced details of a new studio album. Again will be released on September 29 via Warp.

Jeff Goldblum and his wife, Emilie Livingston, are full-blown Swifties after attending one of Taylor Swift's concerts in Los Angeles last week.Goldblum and Livingston walked the carpet on Sunday at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank's «A Million Reasons» Fundraiser Celebration in Hollywood, and they spoke with ET's Deidre Behar about being blown away by Swift's show.«I've never been to the SoFi Stadium, so you walk in there and there's 70,000 people, they're all going nuts,» Goldblum recalled with a smile. «We were exchanging friendship bracelets with everybody!»«It's so joyful to see her because she always has been herself and now I feel like she's being celebrated for being herself and she really can bask in that light when she's there in the concert,» Livingston shared, adding that it was extra special for her and her husband as it was the first «real, proper concert» they'd been to together.Goldblum recalled meeting Swift briefly «at that 40th anniversary of [in 2015].

Jeff Goldblum and his wife, Emilie Livingston, are full-blown Swifties after attending one of Taylor Swift's concerts in Los Angeles last week.Goldblum and Livingston walked the carpet on Sunday at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank's «A Million Reasons» Fundraiser Celebration in Hollywood, and they spoke with ET's Deidre Behar about being blown away by Swift's show.«I've never been to the SoFi Stadium, so you walk in there and there's 70,000 people, they're all going nuts,» Goldblum recalled with a smile. «We were exchanging friendship bracelets with everybody!»«It's so joyful to see her because she always has been herself and now I feel like she's being celebrated for being herself and she really can bask in that light when she's there in the concert,» Livingston shared, adding that it was extra special for her and her husband as it was the first «real, proper concert» they'd been to together.Goldblum recalled meeting Swift briefly «at that 40th anniversary of [in 2015].

Naman Ramachandran Stewart Copeland, founder and drummer of The Police, is teaming with Indian musician Ricky Kej on “Police – Beyond Borders” where the legendary rock band’s classic songs are recreated in global languages. The songs include “Every Breath You Take,” “Roxanne” and “Message in a Bottle.” Reinterpretations are in the Kannada, Zulu, Mandarin, Armenian, Pashto, Urdu and Hindi languages, among others. The album follows Copeland’s “Police Deranged for Orchestra” BMG album, released in June, where the band’s hit tracks, arranged for full orchestra, are revisited.

Truck Festival last weekend has gone viral for moshing to an orchestra performance in the rain.During the Oxfordshire festival, the Oxford Symphony Orchestra performed on the festival’s main stage and got a raucous response.After the performance, videos of the crowd have gone viral, which see the crowd creating a rowdy moshpit to the sedate music.Songs given the moshpit treatment included the orchestra’s versions of John Williams’ ‘Indiana Jones Theme’ and Gioachino Rossini’s ‘William Tell Overture’.See footage of the proceedings below.