Sydney Opera House Inspired Axel Enthoven Camping Tent

"Alighting in France’s Provence with the fragrance of lavender in the air. Enjoying a good glass of wine in the hills of Tuscany. Day-dreaming with the murmur of the Mediterranean in your ears. If you make the Opera your travel companion, a whole new world will open up to you. A world in which you can enjoy the luxuries of a comfortable hotel against the backdrop of your favourite natural landscapes. A world in which you have the freedom to go, or stay, wherever you wish, while relishing the purity of the outdoors in style. Welcome to the world of Opera, Your Suite in Nature. The Opera is a mobile designer suite in a class of her own. Within minutes, she will show you her characteristic outlines, resting firmly on her legs in a level position. The teak veranda is an invitation for you to come on board, where you’ll be amazed by the luxury and detail. Such as the two electrically adjustable beds that can easily be transformed into one. Or the boiler supplying warm water to the kitchen, the fountain and the (exterior) shower. The hot air heating. The ceramic toilet. The top loading refrigerator. The low-energy LED lighting from awning to floor. The Opera offers you the convenience of a complete holiday home." [Source] More photos after the jump.

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.

Everyone Can Wear Jeans to the Opera, Except the Ticket Takers

Dolce & Gabbana could have a whole new market with jean wearers at the opera.

"Instead of just showing the latest Hollywood blockbusters, multiplexes equipped with digital projection increasingly are providing patrons with a night at the ballet or the fights. And jeans-wearing opera lovers can enjoy a show at the same place they'd see a romantic comedy or an action movie. Struggling theaters are on the prowl for additional revenue. The number of tickets sold, according to Rentrak's media measurement service, has dropped nearly 15% to 1.34 billion from 1.57 billion in 2002. Potential moviegoers, with high-definition, big-screen TVs at home and Netflix accounts are proving tough to pry off their couches. Total box office sales for the year are on pace to be only slightly behind last year's $10.6 billion, thanks to rising ticket prices: averaging $7.96 per ticket in 2010, vs. $7.50 in 2009, according to Box Office Mojo. To coax people into their seats, theaters are getting creative, by showcasing everything from New York City Ballet performances of The Nutcracker to Ultimate Fighting Championship matches in 3-D. Alternative programming can create opportunities for people who want the experience of going out but can't attend events, due to location or cost, says A. Dale 'Bud' Mayo, chairman and CEO of Digiplex Destinations, which has three New York-area theaters. Digiplex Destinations' business is built around providing alternative programming, Mayo

Even the devil has the good sense to be
fashionable. Tenor Jonas Kaufmann will star
in the title role of the MET's Faust.

said. Theater owners usually don't hold out much hope for moviegoers to pack theaters Monday through Thursday, but this 'off-peak' period presents opportunities to run programming that targets specific audiences, Mayo said. On Nov. 21, his theaters will showcase a Lady Gaga special documenting her Monster Ball Tour for $13.50 a ticket. The average price to see the eccentric performer in person is about $100, according to concert industry trade publication Pollstar. Tickets for the theater version are selling fast even though the show is on a Monday. 'We love that,' Mayo said. 'That's heaven for a movie theater operator. When you can draw people in at times they wouldn't usually come, everyone wins.' Showings of the Metropolitan Opera sell out months in advance, he said. To create a more authentic experience, Digiplex Destinations' ticket takers dress in costume, and the theaters sell concessions found at New York City performances." [Source]

Faust by the Metropolitan Opera "Live in HD" will be on December 10. Tickets are about $24 (www.fathomevents.com).

Smirnoff Vodka Nightlife Exchange Project Has Opera Theme

"Last night Smirnoff, the world's number one vodka, together with Madonna and millions of international revelers spanning five continents, celebrated The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project in New York. Madonna along with choreographers Rich & Tone Talauega watched the final dancers perform and selected the winner of Smirnoff's exclusive high-profile global dance competition. With art direction and choreography by Shay Normann, the 11 finalists battled it out in front of over one thousand guests. Lil Buck from Memphis, TN was the designated winner and now becomes an official member of Madonna's dance crew. The thrilling evening included Madonna's personal selection to headline the event -- DJ and Producer Martin Solveig. Solveig has been collaborating with Madonna on her upcoming album. Hardy 'Indigo' Muanza and Vikter Duplaix were also at the event spinning custom mixes. Traversing time zones, borders and language barriers, the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project saw countries world-wide create one-of-a-kind global events that

DJ Kid Creme played Australia's opera party

encouraged the sharing and swapping of the most extraordinary nightlife ideas. Events across the world featured a diverse line-up of superstar talent including Kelis, CSS, Basement Jaxx, Alex Gaudino and more -- collectively performing 200 hours of music. Over 117,000 carefully crafted Smirnoff cocktails were enjoyed, partygoers grooved to over 3000 tracks, 'liked' Smirnoff cocktails 5000 times and uploaded over 8000 photos to Facebook using onsite RFID technology. 'The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project has uncovered amazing dance talent from all over the world,' said Madonna. Each of the participating countries showcased its own "Be There" moments through a melding of fashion, drinks, music, entertainment, technology and more. In Australia, which swapped nightlife with Italy, the event took the shape of Giuseppe Verdi's three act opera Un Ballo in Maschera ('A Masked Ball'). The event was brought to life with three key 'Acts,' Una Discoteca in Maschera, and at midnight all guests wore silver masquerade masks as fireworks fell from the stage and Opera singers, Aerial performers and dancers wearing Venetian masquerade costumes kicked off the global event while DJ Alex Gaudino spun 'Nessun Dorma.' In the UK, which swapped nightlife with Jamaica, multi-award winning dance super group Basement Jaxx collaborated with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Janelle Monáe. They were joined on the main stage by legendary Jamaican band The Jolly Boys who performed a special never-been-seen-before collaboration of Bob Marley's 'One Love' with acclaimed hip-hop artist, Ms. Dynamite." [Source] More images of the festivities after the jump.

Left to right: Oscar, Amelia, Renato (unmasked) and Riccardo at Smirnoff's Australian opera event.

Melissa Manchester's Metropolitan Opera Connection

"Manchester, whose father was a bassoonist for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and whose mother was a former singer during World War II, grew up with music in her blood. 'Music was just a basic part of my education,' Manchester said. 'There was always singing in the house.' From a very young age, Manchester knew exactly what she wanted to do. [Source]

"Through The Eyes of Love"


"Don't Cry Out Loud"


"You Should Hear How She Talks About You"


"Whenever I Call You Friend"

Blythe Danner Operatic Family Tree

[Your daughter], Gwyneth [Paltrow], is getting a lot of attention recently for her musical talent in Country Song. Where do you think that interest in singing came from?

My family was very musical. My brother is an opera singer, my parents both sang. My earliest memories of Gwyneth first singing is in bed when we would make up songs. The most I could do was harmonize like a third above and at two years old, she’d be doing sixths. I said, 'Where in the world did that come from?'

Conan Gets the Opera Treatment

"When you're serious about entertainment, every detail counts" says the American Express slogan on Conan O'Brien's endorsement. He blows glass to the tune of Bellini's "Casta diva" from Norma before interrupting himself with Italian curses and quickly switching over to Donizetti's "Spargi d'amaro pianto" from Lucia di Lammermoor to madly finish his project to perfection. Bravo!

(Photo: ©American Express Company)