Joseph Calleja Is Judge On Corinthia Hotel Residence Panel

Somebody's Watching You: A possible room for the winner

"Corinthia Hotel London has announced that its fourth annual Artist in Residence programme is opera. Also announced is the prestigious panel of judges who will choose a winning idea from a range of artist applications. The selected artist will be awarded a month residency at the hotel, over which time they will develop and realise their vision. The finished project will launch in September. A selection of artists have been approached to submit ideas for the project, with one final ‘wild card’ position still remaining. Corinthia Hotel London’s General Manager Renaud Gregoire will select one final applicant from open submissions to join the other artists. The esteemed judging panel for 2015 is made up of: Alex Beard CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House; Joseph Calleja, internationally acclaimed award-winning tenor; Susanna Eastman OBE, Chief Executive of Sound and Music; Sir Nicholas Kenyon, Managing Director of the Barbican Centre; Justine Simmons, Head of Culture, The Mayor’s Office; Imogen Tilden, Classical Music Editor at the Guardian; Jenny Waldham, 14-18 NOW Director; Timothy Walker, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra; Graham Vick CBE, Artistic Director of Birmingham Opera Company, and Renaud Gregoire, General Manager of Corinthia Hotel London. On joining the panel, Joseph Calleja said 'I was delighted to be asked to be on the panel and am very excited to be involved in such a creative venture. The Corinthia’s Artist in Residence programme is a great way to nurture emerging opera talent. The nature of this enterprise means that it also has the potential to address preconceptions and reach new audiences. It’s a wonderful opportunity and I can’t wait to see what ideas they come up with.'" [Source] See a photo of the tenor Joseph Calleja performing at the Corinthia Hotel London, and one with a special friend in one of the hotel rooms, after the jump.

Bulgarian Soprano Nellie Petrova Tapped To Entertain Lobby Guests

"Designer luggage and fussing bellhops were rarely part of the backdrop for the soprano Nellie Petrova. Then the Bulgarian-born opera singer landed the unusual mission of helping a new UAE five-star hotel go the extra octave to give guests a sophisticated experience. Now, four nights a week, Petrova’s voice greets guests at the spectacular lobby of the Venetian-inspired Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, as sunset illuminates the neighbouring Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Although it’s a contrast to the concert halls she is used to, Petrova is bewitched by the setting. 'This is an elegant venue to perform in,' she says, 'an awesome venue, so beautiful, I feel like I am in a movie.' And she should know; the soprano claims a brief appearance in Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Although Petrova admits that while she didn’t meet Tom Cruise, officially, she worked alongside him. 'You could see me in a bright red dress, on his left, as he leaves the bar in the Mumbai party scene.'"

Need a Place to Stay in Vietnam? Try Hôtel de l’Opéra Hanoï

"In the heart of ancient Hanoï is a haven of boutique sophistication reinventing the Bohemian glamour of the Belle Époque era with a 21st Century twist. An operatic highlight in ancient Hanoï, Hôtel de l’Opéra Hanoï rests just a step away from Hanoï’s beautiful Opera House. The hotel distils the best of Hanoi – colonial accents in the architecture and theatrical interior design of jewel tone accents and classic opera motifs juxtaposed with contemporary spaces for dining and entertaining. All the glamour and anticipation of a night at the opera are captured within every experience, from the decadence of the guestrooms to the opulence of Satine – the fine dining restaurant. During the day, Hôtel de l’Opéra Hanoï is the place to meet, with delicacies at Café Lautrec, indulgent treatments at the spa and a cool place to relax in the atrium." [Source] More photos after the jump.

Actress Kristin Scott Thomas, seen here in front of the opera house in Hanoï, is an ambassador to the
Hôtel de l'Opéra. Check out her videos and photos here.