For the seasonal opening of the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, acclaimed stage director Leo Muscato rediscovered a precious rarity of the 20th century: The “musical fairytale” La bella dormente nel bosco (The Sleeping Beauty) by Ottorino Respighi, which had not been staged for 50 years, and which Muscato revived in a “brilliant, surprising and colourful” staging (La Stampa). Indeed, Respighi put a lot of passion and effort into La bella dormente, which is based on Charles Perrault’s fairy tale of the same name. Originally, the piece was conceived as a puppet show, written by Respighi for the Italian marionettist Vittorio Podrecca, director of the famous marionette company Teatro dei Piccoli (Theatre for Children). It was premiered at the Teatro Odescalchi in Rome in 1922. The numerous roles were all interpreted by marionettes and only accompanied by orchestra and singers, who took several roles at once. The production became such a big hit that it went on world tour. Respighi revised his opera two times. The second version, featuring mime artists and dancers instead of marionettes, was put on stage in 1934. A third, posthumous version, completed by Respighi’s wife Elsa, was performed in a concertante version in 1967 in Turin. In the present production of the Teatro Lirico, the prestigious cast of young singers and the enthusiasm shown by Donato Renzetti – who “conducts the orchestra with apparent love for Respighi’s music” (Der Opernfreund) – make their contribution to a “splendid Respighi-Rennaissance” (La Stampa).
Arnold Schönberg – Who I am
The documentary “Arnold Schönberg – Who I am” shows the numerous faces of a genius: the composer, the painter, the father and the human Arnold Schönberg. Leading through the documentary is Nuria Schoenberg Nono, the daughter of the great Viennese composer, who together with Daniel Barenboim, worldwide famous interpreter and supporter of Schönberg’s music, embarks on a journey to discover one of the most prominent and controversial musical figures of the 20th century. With the help of musicologist Hartmut Krones and Therese Muxeneder, head of archive of the Arnold Schönberg Center in Vienna, they paint an intriguing picture of an often misunderstood musician, who was despised at the time, but is now regarded as a pioneer of today’s music.
L’Orfeo
On the occasion of the 450th anniversary of this genius’ birth, an international cast of soloists together with members of the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists under the baton of their artistic director Sir John Eliot Gardiner commemorate the Italian composer in a series of semi-staged performances at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. Gardiner, one of the most versatile conductors of our time, is certainly acknowledged as a key figure in the early music revival of the past five decades. His lifelong examination of Monteverdi’s work makes him uniquely qualified to celebrate the composer in all his glory with the semi-staged opera trilogy L’Orfeo, Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria and L’incoronazione di Poppea. “Anyone who has had trouble to access Montiverdi’s music so far, should listen to this trilogy. A whole world will open up for him or her.” (FAZ)
Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria
On the occasion of the 450th anniversary of this genius’ birth, an international cast of soloists together with members of the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists under the baton of their artistic director Sir John Eliot Gardiner commemorate the Italian composer in a series of semi-staged performances at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. Gardiner, one of the most versatile conductors of our time, is certainly acknowledged as a key figure in the early music revival of the past five decades. His lifelong examination of Monteverdi’s work makes him uniquely qualified to celebrate the composer in all his glory with the semi-staged opera trilogy L’Orfeo, Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria and L’incoronazione di Poppea. “Anyone who has had trouble to access Montiverdi’s music so far, should listen to this trilogy. A whole world will open up for him or her.” (FAZ)
L’incoronazione di Poppea
On the occasion of the 450th anniversary of this genius’ birth, an international cast of soloists together with members of the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists under the baton of their artistic director Sir John Eliot Gardiner commemorate the Italian composer in a series of semi-staged performances at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. Gardiner, one of the most versatile conductors of our time, is certainly acknowledged as a key figure in the early music revival of the past five decades. His lifelong examination of Monteverdi’s work makes him uniquely qualified to celebrate the composer in all his glory with the semi-staged opera trilogy L’Orfeo, Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria and L’incoronazione di Poppea. “Anyone who has had trouble to access Montiverdi’s music so far, should listen to this trilogy. A whole world will open up for him or her.” (FAZ)
Pablo Picasso at Pompeii – Parade & Pulcinella
Celebrating the centenary of Picasso’s visit to Italy, the Teatro Grande di Pompeii hosts two ballets with sets and costumes designed by this legendary Spanish artist. 100 Years ago, Picasso made a journey to Naples in order to work on Parade, an avant-garde ballet for the famous Ballets Russes with a libretto by Jean Cocteau, music by Erik Satie and a choreography by Léonide Massine. Three years later, Picasso and the Ballets Russes joined forces again for Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella” at the Opéra de Paris. Performance only: Length 63′ // Narrated Performance Version: Length 67′
ONE, TWO, THREE! – The “Waltz Factory” Strauss & Sons
Johann Strauss’ waltz “On the Beautiful Blue Danube” is considered Austria’s secret national anthem. First performed 150 years ago in Vienna, the composition from the Strauss “waltz factory” became an instant worldwide hit. The film by Eric Schulz looks behind the scenes of the “waltz factory” of the Strauss family. Historic film footage is combined with waltz impressions from Vienna’s Musikverein and an unusual collection of mobile phone selfie-videos: for the first time, every musician in the orchestra filmed themselves during the performance. The “Donauwalzer” as the world’s first “orchestra selfie” – like the entire documentary itself – creates astonishing new perspectives on one of the world’s most popular musical traditions.
Lucas Debargue – To the Music
For a year, the film follows the pianist Lucas Debargue through his encounters, his discoveries and his quest for music. In his early career, revealed by the XVth International Tchaikovsky Competition, praised by the public and critics, Lucas is confronted with the concerts that come one after another. He discovers the relationship with the conductor and music partners, studio recordings, post-concerts, success and autographs. He has now found his new life, a whole life devoted to music.
Regina Resnik: New York Original
The documentary “Regina Resnik: New York Original” traces the remarkable 70-year career of the Bronx-born international opera star, Tony-nominated actress, stage director, filmmaker, and Jewish cultural figure. The program features on-screen interviews with opera stars Martina Arroyo and Teresa Stratas; Broadway legends Harold Prince and Joel Grey; Maestros Richard Bonynge, Zubin Mehta and Craig Rutenberg; and Ms. Resnik’s brother, engineer Jack H. Resnick. Ms. Arroyo introduces the film onscreen. Renowned mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves is the narrator.
Juan Diego Flórez sings Mozart
Acclaimed across the globe for the beauty of his voice and the emotional power of his performances, Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez has in his career so far focused almost exclusively on the masterpieces of the bel canto repertoire by Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini, and others. From his earliest studies at the conservatory in Lima to the present day, Flórez has sung Mozart arias every now and then but he has never sung a complete Mozart opera on stage. “It just hadn’t worked out till now”, he confesses. And now Mozart, finally. True, the desire had been there for a long time, but “now is the time, I feel I’m ready.” To display another fascinating side to his vocal personality, the concert program includes many of the best-loved Mozart arias – all of them magnificently performed by the Orchestra La Scintilla, an ensemble with outstanding reputation for their historical performance practice, led by Riccardo Minasi.