BEETHOVEN TO APPEAR LIVE IN YOUR HOME
Dramatizing Dr. Gerhard von Breuning’s factual memoir, Aus dem Schwarzspanierhaus (Out of the House of Black-Robed Spaniards, Beethoven’s last residence), Hershey Felder brought Ludwig van Beethoven to life on stage through the eyes of the Viennese Doctor Breuning who spent his boyhood by the Maestro’s side. Featuring some of the composer’s greatest works, from the Moonlight Sonata and Pathétique Sonata to selections from the 5th and 9th Symphonies, and the Emperor Concerto, Hershey Felder’s Beethoven is an intense, illuminating, unforgettable journey through time that immerses audiences in the astounding life of Ludwig van Beethoven.
Now you have an opportunity to see Mr. Felder perform the show live-streamed from Florence, Italy on Sunday, July 12, 2020, 5 pm (PDT). The production is brand new, created by a new arts broadcasting company to produce high-quality streaming — both for the period while theaters remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond. Tickets are $55 per household and can be purchased at American theater companies where he performs frequently; this helps benefit these organizations which have valiantly kept going during the COVID-19 crisis. Here is a partial list (more to come):
- The Wallis, Beverly Hills, CA
- TheatreWorks, Palo Alto, CA
- Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Beach, CA
- San Diego Repertory Theatre, San Diego, CA
- Berkshire Theatre Group, Pittsfield, MA
- 59E59 Theaters, New York, NY
- Lyric Chamber Music Society, New York, NY
The Hershey Felder Presents Arts Prize Competition follows the presentation. All Beethoven ticket-buyers, ages 13 and up and residents of the U.S., are invited to submit by July 6 a creative five-minute video about how Beethoven has inspired them. Felder and his San Diego-based production team will choose five finalists. Those five films will be shown following his live performance July 12. The winner, chosen by audience vote, will receive a $25,000 cash prize. This is open to all art disciplines (instrument performance, acting, singing, painting, dancing, poetry, oration, etc.) using the life and music of composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Artists are invited to apply with a creative video presentation of “anything Beethoven or Beethoven inspired.” Details are at Hershey Felder.
Hershey Felder: Beethoven — Live from Florence, Italy
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven
Written by Hershey Felder
Directed by Joel Zwick
Sunday, July 12, 2020, 5 pm (PDT); runs 1:45
followed by The Hershey Felder Presents Arts Prize Competition
$55.00 per household for viewing on Smart TV, computer, smartphone or tablet.
Patrons will receive a link and password which will enable them to view the live stream. Purchase includes the live stream AND an additional 72-hours of on-demand viewing access to a video recording of the live stream (available for one hour after the broadcast ends).
