Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” is one of the greatest and most popular operas of all time. But who is Carmen herself? A heroine? A victim? A betrayer? Few characters in opera are as open to interpretation as the free spirit at the heart of Bizet’s masterwork. “The Faces of Carmen” takes an unusual approach to exploring this evergreen piece. The film follows rising 28-year-old opera star Aigul Akhmetshina as she undertakes a truly unique journey, performing the role of Carmen in six different productions in a single year. Her Carmen year takes her, and us, to some of the world’s greatest opera stages – Arena di Verona, Vienna State Opera, Teatro Real, London’s Royal Opera House, the Glyndebourne Festival and the Metropolitan Opera – as she brings Carmen to life in a range of differing productions. Some are modernized, others traditional; some are directed by men, and some by women; some are new, some revivals. We hear about each interpretation in interviews with the directors and see excerpts from the finished productions. Additionally, extensive biographical material reconstructs Bizet’s life and his work on the opera.
Virtuoso & Viral
Three young, highly virtuoso musicians are revolutionizing the classical music world with musical freedom, authenticity, and digital communities. Hayato Sumino on the piano, Anna Lapwood on the organ, and Marcin on the guitar successfully win over new audiences for old masters, hereby securing the future of classical music.
Hélène Grimaud – Between the Notes
This is a documentary about one of the greatest pianists of all time, Hélène Grimaud. David Serero takes us on a captivating journey through Grimaud’s personal and professional life, revealing the key moments that shaped her exceptional career from birth to the present day, including her passion for nature and wolves. She also shares all her pianistic secrets.
Emerging from the Shadows – The Legacies of Weinberg and Korngold
This documentary uncovers the poignant stories of Mieczyslaw Weinberg and Erich Wolfgang Korngold: two 20th-century composers of profound artistry, whose legacy is only recently being rediscovered after having been overshadowed in the aftermath of the Holocaust. The documentary follows the album recording of Constantine Orbelian, chief conductor of the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra, and cellist Kristina Reiko Cooper. In recording lesser-known cello concertos by Weinberg and Korngold, Cooper and Orbelian hope to facilitate the transcendence of the two composers’ legacy — out of the shadows and towards the recognition their music deserves. Narrated by Cooper and Orbelian, we delve into the history of Mieczyslaw Weinberg’s and Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s contrasting yet intertwining lives. The composers’ life-stories are paralleled by visuals of Kaunas’ own historic landmarks, commemorating the history of the city’s estimated 37.000 Jewish inhabitants before the Shoah. Always returning to the recording sessions of the beautiful cello concertos, viewers are drawn into a compelling story of cultural identity and rediscovery.
Elina Garanca: My Favourite Melodies
In this upcoming episode of the series “My Favourite Melodies,” viewers are treated to an intimate portrait of renowned opera star Elina Garanca. From classic opera arias to lesser-known gems, Garanca’s selections offer a glimpse into her artistic influences and passions. The program combines stunning performances with insightful interviews, providing a captivating experience for both seasoned opera aficionados and newcomers to the genre.
Mischa Maisky – A Man and his Cello
Cellist Mischa Maisky is one of the greatest in his field. To mark his 50th anniversary on stage, he is giving a concert with Paavo Järvi and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen featuring works that have shaped his life in a very special way. Whether together with his friend Martha Argerich or in a family trio with his children, Maisky is interested in the emotions of playing, not perfection.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason: My Favourite Melodies
Acclaimed cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason invites audiences into an intimate musical journey where he both performs and reflects on the melodies that have shaped his artistic voice and life story. The documentary episode, part of the succesfull series “My Favourite Melodies” blends live performance and videoclips, thoughtful conversation, and behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process.
Magic Moments of Music – The Four Seasons recomposed by Max Richter
Turn old into new – a tried and tested approach, but can you do the same with Vivaldi’s legendary Four Seasons? Organist Anna Lapwood’s answer is clear: ‘Nothing is off limits!’ After the release of his album ‘Recomposed’, composer Max Richter initially expected fierce criticism. But the opposite happened – he hit a nerve: over 450 million streams, concerts in classical halls as well as in clubs such as Berghain Berlin or Poisson Rouge in New York, and the distribution of individual tracks in the Bridgerton series testify to the success of the reinterpretation. What’s touching people when they hear ‘Recomposed’? In this magic moment, prominent artists and contemporary witnesses embark on a journey through the music, recall performance challenges and personal highlights, and explain how the British composer Max Richter put his hand to the 300-year-old work.
Magic Moments of Music – The New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang
In 2008, the New York Philharmonic accepted an unexpected invitation to Pyongyang. 55 years after the Korean War, American musicians set foot on North Korean soil for the first time. Under chief conductor Lorin Maazel, they perform Dvorák’s ‘From the New World’ in front of an initially icy and formal audience. The Korean folk song ‘Arirang’ finally breaks down all barriers. This magic moment is a historic concert that transcends borders and shows how music can unite people where politics fails.