A conversation about the origins and history of the ballet “The Taming of the Shrew”
with Tamas Detrich, Wolfgang Heinz and Reid Anderson
Magic Moments of Music – Anna Netrebko & Rolando Villazón sing La Traviata
The performance of La Traviata at the 2005 Salzburg Festival drew attention from all over the world: It is not the first time on stage together for Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón in the leading roles – but it is here in Salzburg that they finally rise to superstardom. Each are brilliant on their own, but under the direction of Willy Decker, they shine above all as a couple, playing to the fantasies of the audience. Opera stars had never before been so up-close and personal, and had never been so present in the media. Previously unseen rehearsal scenes and interviews with Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, Thomas Hampson and Willy Decker bring this magic moment of music to life.
Of Miracles and Superheroes – Documentary on the Stuttgart Ballet
The documentary traces the extraordinary success story of the Stuttgart Ballet, from its rise to fame as the “Stuttgart Ballet Miracle” during the Cranko era to the ensemble’s acclaim of today. Harold Woetzel accompanied the company for one year, capturing the season’s highlights as well as everyday life at the Stuttgart Ballet. Woetzel accompanied the company for one year, capturing the season’s highlights as well as everyday life at the Stuttgart Ballet. By interviewing choreographers, dancers and fans, Woetzel paints an overall picture of the current company as well as the fabled Ballet Miracle and discovers the ballet’s famous team spirit and its exceptional personalities – superheroes in the service of art.
Draw a Line
The documentary Draw a Line by Benedict Mirow accompanies Richard Siegal and Ballet of Difference during the rehearsal process for ON BODY up to the celebrated world premieres in Cologne and Munich. It shows how the diverse troupe blossoms into one of the best modern dance companies of today and it celebrates the creative talents behind Ballet of Difference. Mirow also shot in Africa to trace the African roots of Siegal’s style with which he transformed the German dance scene. A powerful film about artistic freedom, the rousing power of electronic music and the brutal passion, painful discipline and touching sensuality of dance.
Beyond Perfection – The pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli – a name that provokes almost a sense of awe and intimidation, even among his piano-playing peers. It is a name that represents the highest degree of perfection, a quest for beauty that surpasses that of any other piano virtuoso. However Michelangeli also had a reputation for cancelling concerts at short notice and was consequently portrayed in the media as a somewhat neurotic artist. “Beyond Perfection – Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli“ is the result of a 30-year search that has resulted in unusual interviews with those who knew him, and has also uncovered a wealth of new archive material: We get to experience Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli as he has never been seen before – and more importantly, as he has never been heard before. We also witness the maestro’s struggle back to his former perfection after suffering a devastating heart attack. This homage to Michelangeli provides the first comprehensive and in-depth portrait of a brilliant pianist who achieved mythical status.
Barenboim or The Power of Music
On the occasion of the 75th birthday of Daniel Barenboim, one of the most renowned conductors and pianists of our times, the first ever all-embracing portrait of this outstanding musical personality has been created. Shot in Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Ramallah, Munich, Berlin and London, the film accompanies Maestro Barenboim for rehearsals and performances with his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at the Teatro Colón and the Waldbühne Berlin. It looks behind the scenes of two milestone events in Berlin: the opening of the Pierre-Boulez-Saal and the grand re-opening of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, where Barenboim performs together with the Staatskapelle Berlin. Martha Argerich, Zubin Mehta, Waltraud Meier, his son Michael Barenboim and director Wim Wenders give a very personal insight in the experiences they shared with Daniel Barenboim throughout the years.
Leonard Bernstein – A Genius Divided
One of the first US born conductors to receive worldwide fame, Leonard Bernstein is an exceptional composer and certainly not only due to The West Side Story. Instead of concentrating exclusively on his most famous work, Thomas von Steinaecker sets out to paint a complete picture of Bernstein. Thus, the documentary focusses on the American’s less known later works and on three compositions in particular: his Mass, the musical 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and the great final opera A Quiet Place. The film paints a vivid picture of the multitalented Bernstein, struggling with his role as composer and conductor, tackling the tension between successes and flops, between the politics of his time and his own liberal humanitarian claim. It looks back at Bernstein’s major achievements, such as his acclaimed conducting of Mahler and his involvement in the Young People’s Concerts, and it shows Bernstein’s work with young aspiring musicians as well as his political commitment. Joining the dots, Thomas von Steinaecker is cre ting a genuine portrait of Bernstein on his quest to his ultimate masterwork: the great American opera.
Birgit Nilsson – A league of her own
An intimate portrait of Birgit Nilsson (1918–2005) on the occasion of her centennial on 17th May 2018: The Swedish soprano had an incredible technique and was the world’s leading dramatic soprano between 1955 and 1975. Rare TV and archive footage shows Nilsson at work, and is complemented by interviews with Plácido Domingo, Otto Schenk, James Levine, Nina Stemme, Jonas Kaufmann and many others. The film reveals a sensitive woman behind the honest, down to earth, quick-witted artist, who had “a voice like fire and ice” (Sir Antonio Pappano). The documentary was shot at the farm in Bastad/ Sweden, where Nilsson grew up and spent the summers until the end of her life, at the Royal Opera in Stockholm, where the legendary Wagnerian singer made her operatic debut in 1946, and in places like the Bayreuth Festival, the Wiener Staatsoper and the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where Nilsson was the star and box office draw.
Anne-Sophie Mutter – A Celebration
She is doubtlessly one of the world’s best: the violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. Since more than 40 years now she has been playing concerts in every major venue throughout the world. This portrait by Anca-Monica Pandelea shows snapshots of a career in classical music that reached an outstanding artistic position in constant search for perfection. The documentary is not only an intimate portrait of a multifaceted artist but a report of a life full of unique musical encounters and enormous social engagement. It features rare archival footage, documenting the fascinating development of Herbert von Karajan’s former protégé to one of the world’s greatest musicians. Recordings of rehearsals and important stage performances provide an insight into the artistic day-to-day-life of an international star.
Good Thoughts, Good Word, Good Deeds – The Conductor Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta is one of the world`s leading conductors. Born and raised in India, he is a brilliant symbol of today`s cross-cultural world and a living proof of the power of music to bridge different cultures and to break social and political barriers. On the occasion of Zubin Mehta’s 80th birthday, Filmmaker Bettina Ehrhardt creates a tender homage to this exceptional artist, who is Music Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic as well as the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Conductor Laureate of the Bayerisches Staatsorchester, the Münchner Philharmoniker and the Wiener Philharmoniker. The film deals with an artist loved by audiences and musicians alike because he radiates warmth and humanity, in both his music and his life.