Carmen—Passionate Love press conference

Carmen—Passionate Love press conference will be held on 21st February 2008, a day full of joy and harmony, which is also the 15th of the first month of the lunar year—the traditional Lantern Festival. Deng Yajun and Xiao Lijun—general managers from Century Theatre; Siegmund Kahlbacher—Chairman of Global Stage Entertainment & Production CO., LTD HK; Elmar Ottenthal—director of Carmen—Passionate Love; Eduard Swoboda—music producer and actresses ZhangMi, Tang Xiao will attend the conference.

Century theatre and Global Stage will declare their long term strategic symbiosis. Therefore, Beijing Century International Theatre and Performance Management Co., Ltd is founded by the two companies. The target of this joint venture company is to set up a professional, international musical base and culture exchange center relying on both Chinese and western advantage, presenting Chinese art and culture to the whole world. On 15th of May, 2008, the theatre-going life style will be promoted with the premier of Carmen—Passionate Love.

Carmen Passionate Love Comes On Stage Ceremoniously with Passion, Power and Romance

Carmen-Passionate Love is the perfect combination of Eastern and Western culture, music and values. Throughout performances there are numerous references made to art, philosophy and world history including the Romantic Period and Qing Dynasty. Shows consist of skillful acting, passionate dancing and powerful singing. These are amplified by our state-of-the-art technology in sound and lighting. For our audiences here in China and elsewhere Carmen-Passionate Love is guaranteed to be a unique and unforgettable experience. Premiering in 2008, Carmen-Passionate Love is the first musical produced using only Chinese resources and talent. Based on George Bizet's famous 'Carmen', this more contemporary interpretation features compositions from the original such as Toreador, Rosen Aries and Habanera, in addition to Jazz, Pop, traditional Chinese and Classical music.

Cooperation with Century Theatre, the pioneer of theatre-going lifestyle

Siegmund Kahlbacher—Chairman of Global Stage Entertainment & Production CO., LTD HK will deliver a speech and greet every one a happy new year in a traditional Chinese way. Thereafter, Manager Xiao Lijun will declare Beijing Century International Theatre and Performance Management Co., Ltd has been founded. Global Group will invest to Century Theatre; modify the basic establishment and theatre stage, make it a modern theatre with an art point of view, complete the equipments and perfect the stage scene. In the future, we will present first class theatre for musical performance and a best communication platform for Chinese and international musical fans.

Well-known Director Unscrambles Chinese Traditional Culture

Elmar displayed a video tape of the musical producing process at the press conference. He introduced the producing team of Carmen Passionate Love.

Elmar did 6 major musical world premiers in Europe, including Gaudi, FMA. In China, he experienced the history and culture, lived here and faced to the stunning changes and developments happened in China. All these attracted him, inspired him and motivated him to create this world premier. To blending the western and eastern culture together, he absorbs the essence of Chinese culture, landscape and nature, which is a big challenge for him, yet it’s his motivation too.

Ticketing Opening with a Beneficent Will

Chairman Siegmund Kahlbacher and the president of Emma Ticket hosted the ticket opening ceremony. Chairman Siegmund Kahlbacher expressed his will of associating with China’s Charity in his own way. He claimed “There is nothing, which is understood and not limited by regions, times, cultures and languages, like music,” the premiere of Carmen Passionate Love carries the profound missions; it’s a key to the treasure mine of human beings’, it inspires the youth and leads them to embrace the fruitful human political and literary history.

Chairman Siegmund Kahlbacher will invite the Olympic volunteers for a charity performance of Carmen—Passionate Love. He hopes to create more musicals, promote the art exchanges between cultures and bring them onto China’s and the world stage.

Cocktail Party—Austrian Embassy party for Carmen Passionate Love

As Carmen Passionate Love is invested and produced by an Austrian company, it gains a major concern of the Austrian Embassy in Beijing. After the press conference at Century Theatre, the Austrian ambassador held a cocktail party at the embassy. Everybody raised the drink cheered for Carmen Passionate Love and made a toast for 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Poster of Carmen—Passionate Love gleaming into our view

As we are anticipating the big embrace of year 2008, Global Stage Entertainment & Production CO., LTD HK will dedicate a musical with great passion. This pop musical Carmen—Passionate Love is directed by a famous Austrian opera and musical director Elmar Ottenthal, composed by a European music producer Eduard Swoboda, Carmen—Passionate Love is now intensively prepared and rehearsed.

We chose to cooperate with MIC, a professional music creating team. The artistic conception design of the poster is backing on the most popular elements and passion—“flame + gorgeous fan= wings to Carmen—Passionate Love”. The story constructed on Chinese traditional culture, a fan appears as a very important prop throughout the story. How’s the woman like behind the fan? Flame is the symbol of passionate love, the flaming passion exists where there is love in the heart.

Under Elmer’s effort, the Chinese and western combination Carmen—Passionate Love will be completed and about to shine. However, casting is a tough question for Elmar, who is qualified for that part?? Right about that moment a new album Made in China caught his attention. This album is produced by Eduard Swoboda, sung by Zhang Mi, and its conception is exactly the same as the musical. Therefore, Elmar sincerely invited them to join the musical. Because Director Elmar and Producer Siegmund Kahlbacher both stick to their Chinese love knot, put their efforts together; because musical has become a mark in Chinese modern culture; because our team want to make a happy musical dream come true, we have the most powerful work team who can produce musicals attach the international level. Carmen—Passionate Love is a leap that “made in China”

Carmen—Passionate Love is the first wholly Chinese-produced musical; a magnificent opening and introduction to the Chinese musical industry; an explosion of Chinese and western culture. 2008, this is the hearing and seeing feast that you can’t miss!

Carmen—Passionate Love startup recording, Aiwen Zhang released the progress of the theme song

The recording of musical Carmen—Passionate Love, lead role acted by Zhang Mi, has officially started. Elmar, the director, led all the performers to the recording studio and had a final discussion before the recording started. The Chinese version “Shoes”, one of main songs of Carmen—Passionate Love, is written by a well-known producer Zhang Aiwen, invited by his good friend and also the lead role Zhang Mi. everyone at the studio was impressed and surprised by the Chinese lyric of “Shoes”.

As what we know, “Shoes” is the core of Carmen—Passionate Love, the emotions lied into the belongings, the writer used the figure of speech to gather up the thread of the main roles’ emotions. Zhang Aiwen did use the real work “shoes” in Chinese while he was writing the Chinese lyric because of the culture difference between Chinese and Western world. But he skillfully connected the emotions. Listening to Zhang Aiwen’s DEMO, our European producer Eduard Swoboda applauded for Aiwen’s excellent work.

Zhang Aiwen used to be a music director for several TV series and movies in China, sometimes he had to finish the lyrics in a short notice, even so, the emotions are always lying into the words he spreads out. The effect that touches everybody is to put emotions and reality together.

It is reported that the Chinese version of the theme song will remain the English name “Shoes”, but with the Chinese style involved, the song now has had better effect. To quote a saying from the staff of Carmen—Passionate Love, “we will present a world-shakingly Carmen—Passionate Love.”

Global Stage e-Magazine Launch

Send us your ideas and suggestions! Great prizes and deals to be won!

The e-magazine Global Stage intends to l aunch in the coming weeks is the internal communication and advertising means of the Global Stage Musical Club. The e-magazine will include updates on 'Carmen-Passionate Love', musical news, lifestyle and entertainment sections as well as editorials and networking applications. Through club and publication we will try to introduce musical culture and lifestyle to Chinese audiences. The e-magazine will provide a good platform for communication and exchange of ideas between club members. It will also be a source of information for those wishing to find out more about the history and background of musicals and recent international developments in the industry. There will be regular updates on 'Carmen' and other productions. Guest editors and commentators will be invited to write columns and reviews to give our readers a different perspective on our musicals and others. Readers likewise will be encouraged to submit ideas, opinions, questions and comments. We hope that the e-magazine will start meaningful discussion among members about the state and future direction of musicals in China . Through frequent feedback and reader participation we hope to better understand the wishes and expectations of our audiences.

Help us find a title and a slogan!

Starting this month, Global Stage is holding a competition and is inviting everyone to submit their ideas on a catchy title for the e-magazine and an advertising slogan for 'Carmen-Passionate Love'. The content of all submissions should be relevant to the title, content and aim of the publication and musical. We welcome creativity and out-of-the-box thinking when reviewing entries. Successful submissions will be original, simple and sophisticated. We ask participants to submit a brief explanation with their entry to give us a better idea.

Prize

Winners will be acknowledged and their ideas will appear on the e-magazine as well as all 'Carmen'-related advertising. Successful entrants for both the slogan and title will receive one free ticket to see 'Carmen-Passionate Love' and 500 RMB in cash. Five runner-up entries will be awarded with various Global Stage merchandise.

Please send your ideas to king@globalstagegroup.com

Please also state how you found out about this

Carmen-Passionate Love in the News

China Daily 22.06.2007

'Carmen-Passionate Love' is the story of modern urban women whose personalities and fate resemble that of Carmen in the George Bizet original. The musical is a unique combination of Eastern and Western music, culture and values. The story touches on a number of contemporary issues that both Chinese and international audiences will identify with. In terms of music, 'Carmen' features famous pieces such as 'Toreador' and 'Habanera' in addition to jazz, pop and traditional Chinese melodies.

Beijing Morning Post 07.09.2007

To find young and dynamic performers for its upcoming production 'Carmen-Passionate Love', Global Stage has been holding a number of castings in Beijing and Shenyang . The goal of the castings is to inform aspiring cast members about musicals and spot genuine talent in the process. Rather than well-publicized events, castings have been low-key and focused on finding gifted singers, dancers and actors. Successful candidates were those who displayed a deep understanding of the musical, the characters and had an open-minded approach to new forms of musical expression.

Wenhui Newspaper 20.06.2007

'Carmen-Passionate Love' is the first Western musical produced using a wholly Chinese cast. Under the leadership of Austrian director Elmar Ottenthal, 'Carmen' is brought to Chinese audiences by Global Stage Entertainment. Preparations for the premiere which is scheduled for April are underway. The first round of castings and the initial lineup were completed recently.

The First 04.07.2007

The initial castings for 'Carmen-Passionate Love' have inspired great interest and enthusiasm. An estimated 2000 people signed up to audition for the leading roles when castings were announced. After a long and tedious selection process, Elmar Ottenthal and his team have narrowed down the choices to a few potentials. According to Ottenthal the search has been especially difficult because the main characters possess many complex qualities and representing them on stage requires much skill and experience. For aspiring actors and actresses to be successful, they must show a deep understanding of the roles as well as excellent singing and dancing abilities.

The First 30.07.2007

Interviewed at one of the castings, choreographer Jin Xing imparted some interesting insights and opinions. According to her, performing for 'Carmen-Passionate Love' is like “eating Western food in a Chinese manner”. For those auditioning at the castings this is a very new experience and “some performers do not know what a musical is. Nearly 80% of those here have no idea why. They think it's all singing and dancing. This shows the current dismal situation of musicals in China.” Nevertheless there is room for hope and optimism, Jin Xing feels that “there is huge potential for a musical scene in China. If the performers are well-trained and instructed, 'Carmen' will be a success.”

Bringing Musicals to China

'Carmen-Passionate Love' is the first production Global Stage will bring to Chinese audiences. Using a wholly Chinese cast and production team, 'Carmen’ will premiere at Beijing Century Theatre in April 2008. Thereafter 'Carmen' will be performed seven times a week until December 2008. The music and story will be based on George Bizet's famous 'Carmen' opera. Classics such as Toreador, Rosen Aries, Habanera, Segudilla and Quintett will feature in the production in addition to modern jazz and pop themes. The inclusion of Chinese music and culture will set 'Carmen-Passionate Love' apart from other famous musicals and their interpretations. Under Elmar Ottenthal's leadership the preparations for the production have been underway for more than 3 years.

From an artistic perspective, 'Carmen' is an interesting amalgamation of Eastern and Western cultures, modern and traditional values. It is also a powerful depiction of womanhood and the characteristics of the contemporary female both in the Western and Chinese sense. All of our leading ladies are strong and independent characters who believe in living and loving consummately. The storyline is influenced by a wide variety of historical events and themes which includes the romantic period and the concluding years of the Qing Dynasty.

What we intend to create is a production that is unparalleled in quality, originality and significance. We want to bring to audiences a superb audio-visual experience as well as introducing them to a new style of musical expression and understanding. We will be employing themes that appeal to both Chinese and Western audiences whilst maintaining the glitz and glamour of West End or Broadway productions. Musicals are as yet an underdeveloped form of entertainment in China. Our dazzling 'Carmen’ however will change this and help musicals gain a real foothold in China.

The 2007 World Cookbooks Awards

On April 7th 2007, the annual ceremony for the World Cookbooks Awards was held in Dragon Spring Hotel in Men Tougou, Beijing . The event was attended by over 400 cookbook designers and publishers from all over the world. President of Global Group, Mr. Kahlbacher was presented the Asian Best Book Prize for the book 'Hainan-Tropical Paradise'. Along with delicious recipes from China 's Hainan Province , the book also includes images of the beautiful landscape, culture, people and colours of the region. Mr. Kahlbacher's choice of photographs, commentaries and delicious recipes depicts a wonderful and exotic image of the region. 'Hainan-Tropical Paradise' is available in Chinese, English, Russian and German.

Global Stage brings musicals to university campuses

In cooperation with Century Theatre, Global Stage in 2008 will bring musicals to university campuses all over China. A series of promotional events will start in Beijing where 78 universities and 900,000 students will participate. It is estimated that a total of 1074 Chinese universities and 20 million students will take part. Our aim throughout these events will be to impart the significance of musicals and share the enjoyment audiences can derive from them. By informing and impacting the young, we feel that we can make musical attendance an integral part of Chinese culture and lifestyles.

We will be inviting Elmar Ottenthal to various events to talk about his vast experience as a director for more than 60 productions. There will also be other musicians, actors, playwrights and choreographers from China and overseas. Through this kind of exposure we hope that Global Stage will instill interest and enthusiasm among young audiences.

Global Stage creates a new and unique musical scene for China

Determining the needs and wants of the Chinese entertainment industry through comprehensive market research is a key component of our business strategy. While Global stage aims to create a brand that derives its management practices and ethic from international standards, we also want to include local elements and values in our business and products. The unique and highly dynamic entertainment industry in China is now ready for musicals to become popularized and customized to meet local culture and tastes.

In recent years, musicals have become increasingly popular in China with the arrival of British West End and American Broadway shows. Chinese productions have also taken off and there is now an unprecedented number of shows around Beijing and Shanghai. There is however a significant lack of professional planning, marketing strategy and advertising in this field. Moreover, Chinese musicals have a lot of progress to make in stage design, lighting technology, choreography and vocal performance.

The need for qualified teams and individuals who specialize in a particular aspect of musical production is rather pressing. Musicals needs people who can apply specialist knowledge and skills and work together as a team. There is much to be learned from Chinese and foreign experts before China’s musical industry can really succeed. We recognize this and address it by working with individuals who are renowned in their fields. At Global Stage, we believe that the Chinese musical industry has a lot of potential. Our creative and resourceful leadership and dedicated team work hard to realize the possibilities.

Global Stage invests in theatre management and copyright protection in China

In 2007 Beijing Century Theatre and Global Stage set up the joint-venture Beijing Century Global International Theatre & Performance Management. As a result of greater interest in musical performances, the number of musicals staged in China has increased significantly in the last years. Appreciation for different entertainment mediums has expanded and certain sections of society have started to attend musicals regularly. Through our joint-venture company we want to improve the experience our audiences will have when going to see one of our productions. As yet there are issues with theatre management practices in China which have unfavorable effects on the quality of performances. By introducing international theatre management practices and standards, we want to address this problem.

Our aim is to familiarize Chinese artists and producers with practices that are deemed to be the integral parts of successful stage production in Europe. We plan to create an entertainment brand that stands for quality, durability and originality in China. Among the many initiatives we have taken in this direction is the reconstruction and renewal of equipment and facilities in Beijing Century Theatre.

Over the years we believe that the Chinese musical industry will be able to stand on its own and produce shows that are wholly comprised of local actors, musicians, producers, directors and so forth. We will be providing the necessary resources and expertise to guide the industry in this direction. In addition to efficient management, production and marketing strategies, we will also be focusing on issues such as copyright laws. While introducing western practices, our productions will still be replete of Chinese traditions, values and music. Audiences will be able to experience this unique blend of history, culture and art at our upcoming productions 'Carmen-Passionate Love’ and 'Sissi-Princess of Hearts’.