“Shake the heavens….” On the brink of the 21st century, John Adams and Peter Sellars reimagined the birth of Christ, weaving sacred texts around modern Hispanic poetry and charging them with the energy and directness of contemporary dance and film. The result was El Niño, a “Nativity Oratorio” that quickly established itself as one of most talked-about (and moving) artworks of the new Millennium. This film documents the actual moment of its creation: the historic world-premiere production in Paris, with the creators’ choice of performers (including the late, and unforgettable, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson). An unmissable record of the birth of a masterpiece.
Salzburg Festival 2024: The Gambler
Based on a short novel by Dostoyevsky, Prokofiev’s The Gambler unfolds in the fictional casino town of Roulettenburg, where a variety of characters converge and clash. These characters include a General indebted to a covetous Marquis, the General’s resentful stepdaughter Polina, and Alexey, who harbors feelings for her. Director Peter Sellars, known for his insightful interpretations of overlooked masterpieces, challenges us to mirror the bravery of Dostoyevsky and Prokofiev – the courage to confront our inner darkness. The musical direction of Russian conductor Timur Zangiev shines together with the vocal performances of the exceptional cast:”Asmik Grigorian portraying a passionate Polina, and Sean Panikkar delivering a powerful performance as Alexei” (Financial Times).
Salzburg Festival 2019: Idomeneo
After their successfull collaboration for La clemenza di Tito the drm team Peter Sellars and Teodor Currentzis again joined forces to transpose Mozart’s extraordinary opera Idomeneo into the present world. The fabulous Freiburger Barockorchester shines with elegance and precision, and MusicAeterna Choir can rightfully be called “the best choir in the world” (Süddeutsche Zeitung). Chinese lyric soprano and rising star Ying Fang gives her highly acclaimed Festival debut in the role of Ilya, Nicole Chevalier is brilliant as furious Elettra.
Salzburg Festival 2017: La Clemenza di Tito
Deemed today’s most exciting Mozart conductor and highly acclaimed for his revolutionary Da-Ponte Cycle, Teodor Currentzis takes on Mozart’s final opera for his long awaited debut at the Salzburg Festival: “La clemenza di Tito”. The current Artistic Director of the Perm State Opera and Ballet Theatre is accompanied by his MusicAeterna and MusicAeterna Chamber Choir and joins forces with award winning director Peter Sellars, with whom he has established a successful long-term collaboration. Known himself as Mozart rebel for his unique contemporary stagings of Mozart’s operas, Sellars directs the opera also for the screen. “Peter Sellars’ picture language and precise direction are masterful!” (Der Spiegel)