Review: Land of the Lions at ZSL London Zoo – July 2016
Land of the Lions is ZSL London Zoo’s biggest and most ambitious new attraction which was unveiled to the public at Easter and quickly has become a firm favourite.
The £5.7m attraction Land of the Lions transports visitors to the Lions wild home in the Gir Forest region, in the Indian state of Gujarat. Rickshaws, bicycles, sacks of spices, maps, rangers’ huts, and even a life-size truck – researched, sourced and shipped from India – are dotted around Land of the Lions, both inside and out of the lions’ domain, which will highlighting the uniquely close relationship in which Asiatic lions live with people in their native Indian habitat.
Visitors to the attraction enter through a stone archway, before picking up their ‘park pass’ at the Gir Tourist Information centre. They’ll then explore Sasan Gir Train Station or embark on a journey on the overhead walkway, to discover the troop of lively Hanuman langur monkeys, and watch the lions in their forest home.
Visitors have an almost ‘windowless-view’ of the big cat’s enclosure, as visitors enter the crumbling ruin of an amphitheatre-style Lion Temple.
Part of the attraction feature interactive adventures that replicate what some of the issues that rangers in the wild have to deal with. Wild Asiatic lions are found only in the Gir Forest region and are protected by law, however they are under threat due to disease outbreaks and conflict with human developments.
The Land of the Lions is part of London Zoo’s drive to bring a more authentic understanding of an animal’s habitat and how the relationship between animal and humans is often quite complex. The recreation of the Lions wild home in the Gir Forest region and how local guides, rangers and people react to sharing their home with lions gives some insights into how people can often threaten nature but also provide sanctuary. This particular attraction is part of the London Zoo experience and is included in the main ticket, however for a very different experience, Gir Lion Lodge in the Land of the Lions development allows some visitors to stay overnight as part of a package deal.
Land of the Lions will support and promote ZSL’s international conservation efforts to protect Asiatic lions.
Visiting London Guide Rating – Highly Recommended
For more information or book tickets, visit the London Zoo website here
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Prom 59: Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra – Beethoven at the Royal Albert Hall on 29th August 2016
Tonight’s all-Beethoven Prom culminates in the composer’s most fascinating and bold symphony, a piece shaped by irresistible rhythmic drive, whether in the inevitable tread of its slow march or the propulsive energy of its outer movements. One of the world’s oldest orchestras, along with one of its closest collaborators, lights the fuse on Beethoven’s Seventh and his excitable Leonore Overture No. 2, while ‘pianist’s pianist’ Sir András Schiff performs the composer’s most commanding piano concerto.
Programme
Beethoven Overture ‘Leonore’ No. 2 14’
Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, ‘Emperor’ 38’
interval
Symphony No. 7 in A major 38’
Performers
Sir András Schiff piano
Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
Herbert Blomstedt conductor
For more information and book tickets, visit the Royal Albert Hall website here
London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide .com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London.
Since our launch in January 2014, we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated.
We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more.
There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog.
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Prom 51: São Paulo Symphony Orchestra and Marin Alsop at the Royal Albert Hall – 24th August 2016
This Prom focuses on Latin America in the year the Olympic Games go to Rio de Janeiro heats up with a visit from the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra under its acclaimed conductor Marin Alsop. Their concert is bookended by infectious, furious dances from Marlos Nobre and Rachmaninov. In between comes music from the doyen of South American composers, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and a performance of Grieg’s Piano Concerto, for which the orchestra is joined by Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero.
Programme
Marlos Nobre Kabbalah 10’ UK premiere
Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor 30’
interval
Villa-Lobos Bachianas brasileiras No. 4 – Prelude 8’
Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances 36’
Performers
Gabriela Montero piano
São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop conductor
For more information and book tickets, visit the Royal Albert Hall website here
London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide .com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London.
Since our launch in January 2014, we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated.
We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more.
There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog.
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Prom 41: The Hallé – Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde at the Royal Albert Hall – 16th August 2016
Berlioz’s King Lear overture was admired by the King of Hanover: ‘How you have portrayed [Cordelia] – her humility and tenderness! It is heart-rending, and so beautiful!’ Continuing our focus on the cello this summer, Colin Matthews’s Berceuse for Dresden takes inspiration from the eight bells of the Dresden church at which it was premiered. In Mahler’s exploration of darkness and radiance in his culminating synthesis of song and symphony, Das Lied von der Erde, he altered the parameters of vocal and orchestral expression for ever.
Programme
Berlioz Overture ‘King Lear’ 16’
Colin Matthews Berceuse for Dresden 15’ London premiere
interval
Mahler Das Lied von der Erde 64’
Performers
Leonard Elschenbroich cello
Alice Coote mezzo-soprano
Gregory Kunde tenor
Hallé
Sir Mark Elder conductor
For more information and book tickets, visit the Royal Albert Hall website here
London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide .com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London.
Since our launch in January 2014, we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated.
We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more.
There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog.
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Prom 40: Britten Sinfonia and Thomas Adès at the Royal Albert Hall – 15th August 2016
Thomas Adès’s Lieux retrouvés was inspired by the cello’s ‘haunting sense of time and place’. Here, Steven Isserlis performs it in its new cello-and-orchestra guise. Francisco Coll’s piquant Iberian miniatures contrast with ‘Classical’ symphonies by Prokofiev and Beethoven.
Programme
Prokofiev Symphony No. 1 in D major, ‘Classical’ 15’
Francisco Coll Four Iberian Miniatures 12’ London premiere
interval
Thomas Adès Lieux retrouvés 15’ UK premiere of version with orchestra
Beethoven Symphony No. 8 in F major 26’
Performers
Augustin Hadelich violin
Steven Isserlis cello
Britten Sinfonia
Thomas Adès conductor
For more information and book tickets, visit the Royal Albert Hall website here
London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide .com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London.
Since our launch in January 2014, we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated.
We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more.
There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog.
To find out more visit the website here
Prom 38: The John Wilson Orchestra performs Gershwin at the Royal Albert Hall – 13th August 2016
The ever popular John Wilson and his orchestra return to the Proms to pay tribute to George and Ira Gershwin, one of America’s most celebrated song-writing duos, with favourites including Embraceable You, Love Walked In, Fascinatin’ Rhythm and the ballet music from the 1951 film An American in Paris.
Programme
George and Ira Gershwin Rediscovered
Performers
John Wilson Orchestra
John Wilson conductor
There will be one interval
For more information and book tickets, visit the Royal Albert Hall website here
London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide .com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London.
Since our launch in January 2014, we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated.
We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more.
There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog.
To find out more visit the website here