A complex and passionate portrait of a woman who can only be described as a myth. A documentary feature film about one of the most important voices in history. The film makes us re-live, through an intimate story told in first person by the artist, the most important musical, personal and emotional moments of such a long and passionate life. It accompanies Montserrat Caballé on a trip through the most significant cities, historical performances and audio recordings of her life, including testimonies of those who, through a professional or personal relationship, can help us understanding Montserrat, the person and Caballé, the diva.
Salzburg Festival: L’Upupa – The Hoopoe and the Triumph of Filial Love
The world premiere of Hans Werner Henze’s opera, recorded live at the Salzburg Festival in 2003. The libretto is based on an old Syrian fairy tale concerning three rulers, three sons and three treasures. Matthias Goerne leads an international cast including Laura Aikin, John Mark Ainsley, Alfred Muff and Hanna Schwarz. Markus Stenz conducts the Wiener Philharmoniker.
Anna Netrebko: The Woman, The Voice
Vincent Paterson’s camera and imagination have given Anna Netrebko the scope to embrace five totally different characters within about an hour’s screen time. Revealing her true personality through an extensive and intimate interview on childhood, education, career and private matters, she then convinces the viewer as a gifted performer in her portrayals of Mozart’s Donna Anna, Bellini’s Amina, Gounod’s Marguerite, Dvorák’s Rusalka, and Puccini’s Musetta. The visual language of this portrait reflects a contemporary approach of introducing one of the most exceptional sopranos of our time to a wider audience.
Solomon Burke plays Avo Session
Black R&B is now such an established part of the pop mainstream that hardly anyone remembers what is was like when black music – under the name of “Soul” – first exploded into the European charts. One of the pioneers of the movement was Solomon Burke, with songs such as “Everybody Needs Somebody” and “Tonight’s the Night”. With such willing European disciples as Tom Jones and Van Morrison, pure Soul became mainstream pop.