Opening Ceremony

[baron-pierreIV]

Also appeared in the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony Baron, think you've seen that.

Oh OK. So if they're lining up all the contemporary acts for the OC, what's Closing going to be like? I mean that has always been the main difference somewhat. Opening is all pageantry and choreographed spectacle; Closing is singing, partying, letting the hair down, etc.. I mean do Boyle and Daldry even know what they are doing? Sounds to me like they're making the Ceremonies an excuse to sell CDs or iTunes.

We know that Rio's bit at CC is going to be some big samba, Carnaval number. That's for sure. But what about the rest?

[TrisL93]

Let's not forget that Boyle has only suggested that there'll be a lot of music, he hasn't pointed out that we'll see a lot of well-known music artists in the OC. Sorry I'm about to bring this up, but Beijing had a lot of music - not all by famous faces, and there was chanting (like it or not, it's musical). So let's not jump on the 'ColdSpiceBeatles 7' band-waggon just yet Generally speaking, I'm expecting urban, traditional british rock and maybe the old classic composition to add a nice contrast (e.g. The Greensleves rendition in the handover)

[mattygs]

As long as we don't see a return of the classic *let's pretend all this sh1t we found on the side of a road is a drum and bang it with the help of some disabled friends* segment, then music is ok by me.

I like stylised reworkings of more traditional pieces, like was done in the handover soundtrack. It's funny, but I guess until you go to London, you don't quite get the shipping forcast and *mind the gap* references in it.

Julian Scott has always provided some great soundtracks, granted Im not expecting him to be involved in this (though nothing to say he won't be asked to compose something), but I loved his Arise suite from Manchester. It was orchestral in every sense of the word, but was still very modern, something like that would fit well in London in some of the protocol style segments.

Like Baron though, Im hoping they don't go down the music (let's say, a ceremony full of songs) avenue. Something like Sydney's Paralympic opening ceremony rock opera probably wouldn't be a favourite of mine.

Hoping we hear a good mix of some newly composed songs, some classics given a new twist, and some great new orchestral compositions.

[Olympian2004]

Although I also wouldn't like an opening ceremony dressed up like a pop concert, the appearance of many (also famous) singers doesn't have to mean that a ceremony is bad. Just think of Vancouver, with Sarah McLachlan, Joni Mitchell (at least on tape) and k.d. lang performing. I liked all those performances very much -- but also because exceptionally good and moving songs were performed. The only performance I could have done without was that of "we have to fulfill the French quota in this ceremony" Garou.

[Rob2012]

Shall we wait and see? If every band touted by our papers to play in the opening ceremony does so, it'll go on for days!

What may be good is to get a few names on board, but not make them the focus. Music can obviously be a great thing to set other spectacles to, and if appropriate songs are tied into a compelling narative, it's surely a bonus to have the real performers singing them rather than a recorded soundtrack.

[Faster]

Shall we wait and see? If every band touted by our papers to play in the opening ceremony does so, it'll go on for days!

What may be good is to get a few names on board, but not make them the focus. Music can obviously be a great thing to set other spectacles to, and if appropriate songs are tied into a compelling narative, it's surely a bonus to have the real performers singing them rather than a recorded soundtrack.

Good last point, if Mitchell had actually performed I think that segment would have been even better.

Expect drums, drums have been the constant of pretty much every ceremony I have seen.

[AlexDS69]

There is one thing that hasn't been discussed yet: Who's going to sing the national anthem? Will it be a soloist or a choir? I can't imagine "God Save the Queen" having the same emotional resonance sung by an individual as opposed to a group, but you never know.

If I remember correctly, the national anthem at the past three Summer Olympics was sung by a group or choir: Human Nature and Julie Anthony's collaboration in 2000, some choir singing in 2004, and another choir singing in 2008. I know that Nikki Yanofsky sang in Vancouver (though IMHO they could have gotten someone else, as Nikki was already doing CTV'S theme "I Believe"), and some Italian girl sang 2/3 of the Italian anthem with a choir doing the rest in Torino. I don't even remember who sang the Star Spangled Banner in Atlanta and Salt Lake City. Did they even do the SSB in Salt Lake City? Because all I remember from those opening ceremonies was "God Bless America", which I was sick of when they first started singing it after 9/11. But that's another story.

[mattygs]

Boys 2 Men and Nsync did the national anthems in Atlanta and Salt Lake. Pretty sure both also used the respective house choirs of the evening, that being the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake and the Centennial Olympic Choir in Atlanta.

[Olympian2004]

I don't even remember who sang the Star Spangled Banner in Atlanta and Salt Lake City. Did they even do the SSB in Salt Lake City? Because all I remember from those opening ceremonies was "God Bless America", which I was sick of when they first started singing it after 9/11. But that's another story.

Well, I think you remember that "God Bless America" thing wrongly. As far as I remember, that song has never been performed during the Salt Lake opening ceremony. The only patriotic songs they had there was the "Star-Spangled Banner" for the hoisting of the US flag and the "Stars and Stripes Forever" for the parade of the US athletes.

But regarding the performances of the "Star-Spangled Banner" in Atlanta and Salt Lake:

In Atlanta, the Centennial Choir performed the anthem for the opening ceremony, Boyz II Men were the performers for the closing.

In Salt Lake, the anthem was performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for the opening and by N'Sync for the closing.

[Scotguy]

The best anthem performance at the opening has to be Sydney, spine tingling, patriotic and a very strong performance

[baron-pierreIV]

Did they even do the SSB in Salt Lake City? Because all I remember from those opening ceremonies was "God Bless America", which I was sick of when they first started singing it after 9/11. But that's another story.

I think you may be mixing up a pre-show portion (NOT broadcast internationally) and that Col. Rodriguez from the NY Police Dept. sang "God Bless America." For some reason, no clips of it show up on YouTube.

[AlexDS69]

Oh, the 9/11 tribute WASN'T shown on the international feed? I didn't know that.

[Faster]

I think you may be mixing up a pre-show portion (NOT broadcast internationally) where the World Trade Center US flag was brought in and that Col. Rodriguez from the NY Police Dept. sang either "God Bless America" or "America the Beautiful." For some reason, no clips of it show up on YouTube.

Actually baron it was broadcast internationally, because I distinctly remember that moment.

[ringleader]

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pq7Ko6-yvo

[baron-pierreIV]

Actually baron it was broadcast internationally, because I distinctly remember that moment.

It's been awhile since I had seen that. I know it's NOT on the "World Feed" tape that Don Mischer Productions released when the Opening got nominated for an Emmy because I have that. I don't where I was preshow. The SF Bay Area was having a changeover of local NBC affiliate at the time--so I think the new affiliate might NOT have shown that segment. I just saw that segment in later replays. Great rendition though. (And I forgot that his name was Daniel. I was looking for Alex Rodriguez...)

[Faster]

It's been awhile since I had seen that. I know it's NOT on the "World Feed" tape that Don Mischer Productions released when the Opening got nominated for an Emmy because I have that. I don't where I was preshow. The SF Bay Area was having a changeover of local NBC affiliate at the time--so I think the new affiliate might NOT have shown that segment. I just saw that segment in later replays. Great rendition though. (And I forgot that his name was Daniel. I was looking for Alex Rodriguez...)

If I remember correctly the ground zero flag was the only US flag that entered the stadium. It was a very moving moment.

[Brekkie Boy]

There is one thing that hasn't been discussed yet: Who's going to sing the national anthem?

The Sex Pistols surely.

[baron-pierreIV]

If I remember correctly the ground zero flag was the only US flag that entered the stadium. It was a very moving moment.

Well, it had the honor guards of the athletes and members of the various NYC police & Fire forces, including Daniel Rodriguez. But at the end of the anthem, the light faded out on the Ground-Zero flag which was stage front & center; and the spotlight went to a new flag rising atop the flagpole. So a transition and story that a battered Old Glory (and the Republic) will rise again!!

[kevzz]

Sign up to be part of the Ceremonies!! Recruiting starts now, 10,000 volunteers needed. I have!

http://www.london2012.com/games/ceremonies/get-involved/casting-information.php

[BTHarner]

I'd just be happy to be somebody's placard bearer.

[Ozkar]

what are they doing with the floor... is this related to Opening ceremony perhaps??

[baron-pierreIV]

what are they doing with the floor... is this related to Opening ceremony perhaps??

Those are boards they are laying down to protect the surface for some heavy equipment coming in. Tractors? I don't know why they didn't do this first w/o endangering the track & the grass? See like the little mech. hoe on extreme right of pic? Except I think it's a LOT heavier equipment coming in.

Well, u might be right Ozkar, because this is what they did to the LA Memorial COliseum when they set up that stage for the Closing Ceremony & then afterwards again when they had to dismantle the whole setup.

[Olly]

Hmmm...strange indeed that they built the track first.

Does anyone know if the track will be a hard track ideal for the sprint or a more soft one for long distance?

[Rob2012]

My guess is the high tensioned wires and ceremonies rig are going up

[Olympian2004]

Actually baron it was broadcast internationally, because I distinctly remember that moment.

Well, the pre-show wasn't broadcast here in Germany. So for me it was new that "God Bless America" was performed there. And I always thought that it's rather uncommon anyway to broadcast the pre-show outside of the host country.

If I remember correctly the ground zero flag was the only US flag that entered the stadium. It was a very moving moment.

No, of course there also was the US flag which they carried into the stadium for the parade of the US athletes. And, not to forget (although it was not solemnly carried into the stadium, but just was suddenly there) the new US flag they hoisted on the flagpole after showing the ground zero flag.