Arts aficionados will be delighted with a brand new channel devoted to fine arts programmes on Singapore Airlines` (SIA) inflight entertainment system, KrisWorld.

The Arts Channel will feature acclaimed arts performances with a focus on opera, ballet and musicals. From November, the new channel is available on all flights equipped with the MAS3000 (Matsushita Avionics Systems Corporation), the latest inflight entertainment system.

To celebrate its launch, the new Arts Channel is showcasing these two very popular classical programmes:

Pavarotti and Friends: This year marks the 10th anniversary of Pavarotti and Friends, one of the world`s best-loved and most popular annual concerts which unites a vast range of music genres and artistes.

Hosted by Luciano Pavarotti, international stars from the music world join the tenor on stage at the Parco Novi Sad in his hometown of Modena, Italy. Artists include Pavarotti himself, Sting, Andrea Bocelli, James Brown, Grace Jones, Lou Reed, Zucchero, Gino Paoli, and Raf Elisa, all accompanied by the Orchestra Sinfonica Italiana.

The Royal Ballet`s “The Nutcracker”: Fantasy and magic are the essential ingredients of the Nutcracker and Tchaikovsky`s imaginative score helps bring to life the fantasy world of E.T.A. Hoffmann`s enchanting story of the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The Royal Ballet`s “The Nutcracker” is now an indispensable part of the Christmas season celebrations.

For January 2003, The Arts Channel will feature well-loved “Carmen” by Bizet and an exclusive screening of the ballet “Don Quixote” by the late Russian legend, Rudolf Nureyev.

KrisWorld, using the MAS3000 system, allows passengers in all classes to enjoy movies and music CDs on demand, and create their own music playlist. With audio and video on demand, the customer is able to pause, fast-forward or rewind a movie or CD at anytime.

Besides movies, passengers can also choose from a wide variety of inflight entertainment features such as interactive multi-player games, like mahjong; popular Nintendo® games; news around the world from Cable News Network (CNN); and a new inseat messaging service introduced in August this year.

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